662 High Street, Holyoke, MA
(413) 536-0363 x4536
The Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program provides opportunities at no cost for families with young children living in Holyoke or Chicopee. This programming supports families as their children’s most important teachers, promotes optimal child development, and bolsters school readiness.
The Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Find The Holyoke Chicopee Family & Community Program (CFCE) on Facebook 
Opportunities Available for Families
Story Time –Weekly drop-in group for parents/caregivers and children birth -5 years old. Literacy activities, stories and songs.
La Linda Manita Parenting Program – Educating and supporting parents of newborns to 4-year-olds!
Playgroups/Learning Through Play – Weekly drop-in groups for parents/caregivers and children from birth-5 years old. Each week focuses on an area of development and provides fun activities for children, and ideas for adults on how to help children learn through play. Areas of development that are explored include: early literacy, motor development, science, beginning math and engineering.
Parenting Group– Six-week parenting workshop for families with children ages birth-8 years old. Parents learn what to expect at different ages, how to deal with difficult behaviors, and ways to take care of themselves while parenting. Parents also have the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with other parents.
Family Explorers– Families with children birth to age 8 have the opportunity to spend time in nature at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. An educator presents a program that aligns with the Massachusetts Department of Education Frameworks, and covers topics such as birds, trees and insects. Transportation is provided from Holyoke. This program is scheduled for one Saturday morning each month during the school year.
Date with Dad- Dads, grandfathers, uncles, male caregivers and children play and learn together with Learn in Motion. Exciting games, movement activities and ball play get children and adults moving, socializing, practicing teamwork and having fun. This program is scheduled for Saturdays during the school year.
Baby and Me Group – Weekly drop-In groups for parents/caregivers and infants/toddlers under age 3. These groups focus on providing child development information to parents/caregivers. Activities are offered that are based on the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers. Areas of development include: social-emotional development, language and communication development, cognitive development, physical health and wellbeing.
Book Buddies – Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to help your child be successful in school. Through this program, a book to borrow is delivered to your home each week. Child development information and ideas on learning and literacy activities to do at home are also provided. At the end of this ten-week program, each child receives a new book to keep.
Special Literacy Events – Throughout the year, Story Walks, Reading Alive with Enchanted Circle Theater, and special STEM focused activities are held in the evenings or during school vacation weeks.
Resources and Referrals – Our outreach worker is available to assist families with transitions, or to connect families to resources in the community such as early education and care, health care, housing, mental health support, fuel assistance and help with meeting basic needs.
Ages and Stages Questionnaire– The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a screening tool to support parents’ understanding of their child’s growth and development. It is available to all families and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Activities to support development will also be provided.