THE MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK
Bringing this vibrant community together
ABOUT US
The Medford Family Network (MFN) is a no cost parenting education and family support organization. For over twenty-five years, the MFN has strengthened families by providing education and services to positively impact the development of children prenatal to age 8. All families who reside or work in Medford are eligible to participate. The MFN operates in close partnership with the Medford Public Schools, and is funded by the Department of Early Education and Care Coordinated Family Center grant, and Community Engagement Grant, The Children's Trust Massachusetts Family Center Grant, and the fundraising arm of the MFN, The Friends of The MFN 501c3 corporation.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The activities of the MFN are rooted in the five protective factors: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need, and children's social and emotional development.
PARENTAL RESILIENCE
Parental Resilience is defined as parents who can cope with the stresses of daily life, as well as handle the occasional crisis. Resilient parents positively manage the challenges of family life, and can continue to endure when life suddenly becomes more cumbersome. The MFN promotes parent resilience by providing parenting support and education classes including new parent groups, family literacy and financial literacy activities, and E.S.O.L classes (English for speakers of other languages). Support groups are also hosted for new parents and parents of children with disabilities. The MFN also encourages participation in the parent advisory board and other leadership roles. Please contact the MFN for more details.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Social Connections made between families in the community strengthens families. The MFN hosts many special events throughout the year open to all Medford families. Events include: family fun nights, traveling playgroups at the park, Wrights Pond summer concerts, family hikes, Medford farmers market, and much more. Due to Covid-19, many of the MFN's programs and events have become temporarily virtual. Please click on our calendar for more details.
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
William James
PARENTING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development is crucial for strengthening families. The MFN offers parent education workshops and structured age specific child playgroups. Additionally, the MFN sponsors E.S.O.L (English for speakers of other languages) groups, and age specific play and learn groups, including intergenerational and S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).
PARENTING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
The MFN’s Parenting Education Workshops are designed to challenge participants to try new strategies, build on personal strengths and values, and incorporate new learning into their parenting skills.
STRUCTURED PLAYGROUPS
The MFN offers weekly Play and Learn Groups at The Family Center and at various locations around the city. These playgroups require registration in advance and are designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers. These groups are facilitated by a playgroup leader and foster parent/child interaction through play. These groups foster social connections and provide information on child development and community resources.
CONCRETE SUPPORT
Providing concrete support for The Medford Community
MATERIALS SWAP
The front foyer of The MFN family center holds a variety of items such as children and adult clothing, books, formula, and baby equipment for exchange or to take if needed. A major Swap Day is held on a quarterly basis. See Calendar for details.
FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY
11% of Medford Families have food insecurity. 50% of Medford students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The MFN supports these families with donated supermarket gift certificates, annual holiday food baskets, and coordinating student and local churches and synagogues to collect and distribute food to needy families.
CHILD SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ages and Stages Questionnaires
CHILD SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Medford Family Network is committed to helping your child reach every developmental milestone
AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRE
Because your child's first 5 years of life are so important, we want to help you provide the best start for your child. To help you keep track of your child's social and emotional development, the MFN has partnered with ASQ online questionnaires. The questionnaire may be completed every 2, 4, or 6-month period. You will be asked to answer questions about some things your child can and cannot do. The questionnaire includes questions about your child's communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem solving abilities, and personal social skills.
AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES
Click here to explore The Ages and Stages questionnaires.
CONTACT THE MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK
Please call or email Marie Cassidy, Director and Family Specialist, at The Medford Family Network to discover more about our work and how sign up for our events and programs. We thank you for your continued participation and support.
“The Purple Door” at Medford High School
489 Winthrop Street
Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2106