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.
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Opportunities Available for Families
Baby Bloom Group – Weekly group on Zoom for parents of infants. Songs, rhymes, books and activities to promote development.
Story Time –Weekly drop-in group for parents/caregivers and children birth -5 years old. Literacy activities, stories and songs.
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.
Grow your Parenting Skills– 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 ages 2-5 years 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.
Raising A Reader – Language and Literacy activities for ages 5 years and younger. Books to borrow.
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.
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.
Special Programs – Six-week programs offered throughout the year which focus on STEM, music, sensory and nature activities.
Ready for Kindergarten – Fall, Winter and Spring workshop for parents with at-home activities and tools parents can use to help young children develop strong brain connections for success in school.
Contact Us
Christine Zaskey Cullen
Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program
(Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care)
HCS Head Start
662 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 536-0363 ext.4536
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