Join the 2024-2025 Caregiver Council for DHSP!
Are you a Cambridge caregiver with children in Kindergarten – 8th grade? Do you want to influence the Department of Human Service Programs' (DHSP) afterschool programs and services? Please consider joining the 2024-2025 Cambridge Caregiver Council for DHSP!
This 10-12 member, caregiver-led Council is an opportunity for Cambridge families to share their input on DHSP's decisions and services for out-of-school programs. It enables DHSP's leadership to listen to and learn from caregivers, shaping decisions that impact families the most.
Please consider joining if one or more apply to you:
- You have child(ren) who attend or have attended out of school time Kindergarten to 8th grade programs .
- You believe in using social justice to amplify all parent/caregivers’ perspectives and prioritize the needs of families who experience barriers to services.
- You’re interested in connecting with other caregivers by attending events, conducting interviews, and participating in focus groups to learn about their DHSP out-of-school time needs and experiences.
- You speak more than one language.
- You can commit to the Council through June 2025.
Who We Are
Council Goals
- Influence the City of Cambridge to support caregivers to collaborate, lead, and participate in decision-making.
- Build systems that support lasting change.
- Amplify voices that are often not heard or focused on to balance decision-making power.
- Collaborate with caregivers to improve programs and processes.
2023-2024 Caregiver Council
As the first Caregiver Council, our group of 14 caregivers began meeting with DHSP in November 2023. We worked together to improve and increase equitable access to the City’s afterschool programs.
As Council members, we attended community events, learned about different afterschool services, met with DHSP afterschool and Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) staff, and shared what we learned with other caregivers.
Our goals were to empower caregivers, share knowledge, and help DHSP understand the experiences of Cambridge families to shape after school policies and programs.
2023-2024 Caregiver Council Members:
Telesha Mervin
Kristala Smart
Phil McKenna
Joshua Preston
Anne Saini
Yin Zhou
Betsaida Vizcaino
Rayana Ferej
Khalida Griffin
Vanessa Bernard
Emie Michaud Weinstock
Rachel Grashow
Kate Benanti
Mark Goodridge
Learn more about the history of the Caregiver Council for DHSP.