PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cole-Harrington Family Child Care System is a program of Enable, Inc., a non-profit organization, which provides a variety of health, educational, social and rehabilitative services to children and adults with and without disabilities. Enable, Inc. is located in Canton, MA. The Cole-Harrington Family Child Care System provides childcare to one hundred and seventy-five children from thirty different towns located in Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol counties.

Through our collaborative relationship with community based licensed family childcare providers we offer a warm, supportive, and educationally stimulating, home-based childcare program for children ages 3 months to 12 years. We believe that family childcare offers children a unique opportunity to interact with a small group of children, develop a personal relationship with a caregiver, and receive individualized care in a family type setting. Each child is encouraged to participate in age-appropriate activities that enhance physical, language, cognitive, and emotional development and promote socialization with children of different ages. The children are included in neighborhood outings that encourage and support children's developing curiosity about the world around them.

A team of degreed early childhood specialists offers a range of support services to family childcare providers to help them achieve their goals for a responsive, meaningful and high quality childcare program. These services include support and technical assistance, consultation around children's development, on-site curriculum training, monthly training workshops, and a quarterly informational newsletter. Our early childhood specialists visit all providers at least once a month. The family childcare system staff consists of a program coordinator, assistant program coordinator, four early childhood specialists, and a clinical social worker. An administrative assistant, financial coordinator, and program secretary provide office support. A child psychologist and pediatrician provide consultation for medical and mental health issues.

Subsidized childcare is available through our contract with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and through our contracts with voucher management agencies administered by local child care resource and referral agencies. Family Preservation childcare is also available through contracts with the Arlington, Attleboro, Brockton, Plymouth, and Weymouth area offices of the Department of Social Services. Our early childhood specialists provide parent education services to all enrolled families. Our clinical social worker provides case management and clinical support services to families referred by the Department of Social Services.

On the following pages you will find specific information regarding the Cole-Harrington Family Child Care System. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.