About This Program

The Family Resource Network

Providing Resources, Referrals, Support, Parenting Education, Family Events and more. Serving families in the towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Wilmington.

Funded by the MA Department of Early Education and Care, The Family Resource Network (Community Teamwork’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) program) provides a wide variety of services and supports to families with children ages birth to age 8.  The program’s goals are to provide community-based information and resources for families in order to increase knowledge of and accessibility to high-quality early education and care programs and services, in order to meet and reach the needs of children, especially those with multiple risk factors and/or living in hard to reach venues.  The Family Resource Network provides families with access to comprehensive services, supports that allow for continuity through early childhood transitions, parenting education and evidence-based early literacy and family literacy opportunities through play groups and family events that promote parent-child interaction.

The program works with local libraries to provide resource sharing and support to families through play groups, parenting workshops and family enrichment activities and events.

Family Resource Network Contact Information: Gail Fortes at gfortes@commteam.org or 978-654-5704

“The CFCE Program is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care”.

WE’RE NOW ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/cticfce

Testimonials

“Thank you for all that you and Deb are doing to make this playgroup possible.  It really has been an awesome experience for my son, and I’ve learned a lot, too-about my son. And also about fun and engaging learning tools I can use at home.  Having this resource available during such a challenging time has been really wonderful!”.   J.L. Chelmsford parent

“Dear Deb (& Gail.)  Thank you again for holding these zoom sessions.  I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the crafts and stories and activities as well as the routine.  My daughter calls you her teacher.  I am so grateful for you and your work, and tolerance!”  K.O.-Billerica parent

“I can’t tell you how much better I felt after talking with you.  I didn’t know where to turn for help for myself and my daughter and you listened, made some referrals and phone calls and connected me with other resources.  I now have some hope and feel we can get through this awful situation.  Thank you.”  Dracut parent

“Thank you, Billerica Public Library and Family Resource Network for this event!  My kindergartener enjoyed the show so much.  Even my husband and I had a good laugh as well.  It was refreshing to hear her laugh, giggle and be engaged alongside other children.  It means more in the middle of the pandemic too, so thank you!!”  Billerica parent

Eligibility/Guidelines Information

For families with children ages birth to 8 years and who reside in the towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Wilmington.

School vacation week is only a week away! Looking for something to keep your kids busy? 

Check out Macaroni Kid’s WEEKLY ACTIVITIES CALENDAR:  https://lowell.macaronikid.com/events  

Click here for the latest CFCE – Family Resource Network Newsletter – April 2021

It is updated every Wednesday and always has some great free or low-cost activities for kids.  Add this link to your web browser; so, you’ll always have this site right at your fingertips. 

11 Tricks to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy 

The Need for Dramatic Play During the Pandemic

Macaroni Kids ~ Mindfulness Practices to Help Your Family Unwind TOGETHER!

Build Your Family a Disaster Survival Kit

Toddler & Preschool Activities to help you get through the day

WATCH renowned speaker from Yale, Professor Laurie Santos talk about the subject of the most popular course in the university’s 300-year history: PSYCHOLOGY AND THE GOOD LIFE- THIS VIDEO (about 1 hour) IS DEFINITELY WORTH YOUR TIME 

WATCH BIG JOE, the Storyteller – VOL  3 ~ presenting four stories: The Turtle in the Lions Den (Africa), Quackling the Duck (France), Tom O’Toole and the Magic Puka (Ireland) and Billy the Gruff Goat (Big Joe original)

WATCH BIG JOE, the Storyteller – VOL 2.1 ~ presenting four stories: Anansi the Spider and the Green Rock, the Whistling Giant, The King & the Frogs and the Sheepish Wolf

WATCH BIG JOE, the Storyteller  – VOL 1.2 ~ presenting three stories: King Midas the Frog (Tidlock) and the Pig (Bobo)

WATCH Miss Debbie read “Elephant & Me: Should I Share My Ice Cream”  (“Elephant & Piggy” children’s book)

WATCH Miss Debbie read Monkey and Me

Monkey and Me (Home Curriculum)

WATCH Miss Gail read The Very Hungry Caterpillar                                                            

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – (Home Curriculum)

WATCH Miss Gail read Llama Llama Red Pajama

 Llama Llama Red Pajama (HOME CURRICULUM)

WATCH Miss Debbie read It Looked Like Spilt Milk

It Looks Like Spilt Milk (Home Curriculum)

Am I Really My Child’s First Teacher

How Can I Teach Patience When I Barely Have Any Myself

ADHD Meltdowns: Parents, Don’t Give Up! You’re Not Alone! 5 Don’ts When Your ADHD Child Is Upset or Angry

Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons  (Home Curriculum)

Give Your Childs Eys a Screen Time Break

Anti-Racism for Kids – An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate

20+ Books that Discuss Race and Racism for Children

How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times

Children’s Book on Social Distancing in 3 languages:    English     Spanish     Portuguese

Fingerplays

Preschool Activities You Can Do at Home

Spring Flower Garden Paper Craft

How to Make Coffee Filter Butterflies

Easy Gardening for Kids – How to plant seeds for an easy kids gardening activity

Make an Egg Shaker and Dance!

Parachute Games

Slime Recipes 

Kids Activities from ASQ

Mental Health Resources for Families

Helping Your Child at Home with Vocabulary Building

How Stress Affects Children’s Behavior – a post from a CFCE Coordinator – From a Psychology Specialist

Fun with Water

Library Resources and Online Storytime

List of indoor activities that burn kid’s energy

THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS

PROPER DISPOSAL OF PPE 

Understanding Services for Children with Special Needs – Mass. Department of Public Health Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs

Got Brain Fog Lately? Blame It On The Coronavirus Pandemic
Read this if you’ve been losing track of time, forgetting things or haven’t been able to concentrate

 

 

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CFCE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Gail Fortes at gfortes@commteam.org or 978-654-5704

 

“The CFCE Program is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care”.

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