Caregiver Partnership

In response to diverse feedback from Cambridge families, the Department of Human Services (DHSP) is collaborating with caregivers to form a new community partnership that welcomes families into decision-making that impacts them.

For example:

• changes to registration policies
• seeking new programming options
• tuition policies
• outreach and communication strategies

DHSP deeply understands that there is a clear need for a caregiver–centered, transparent, and collaborative process to design both this partnership and its role in defining how racial equity and economic justice come to life through DHSP’s work.

• The process becomes more caregiver-centered by creating a new way to include caregiver voices into decision-making that impacts them and by inviting regular feedback from the community
• This work will feel more transparent by making information easier to access and creating opportunities for families to get support with registration—virtually and in person
• Together, we will collaborate with Cambridge families by continuing to invite caregivers into this development process and creating new tools for the community to provide feedback

So far, we have explored the needs of Cambridge families by holding conversations with over 40 caregivers across Cambridge to hear directly about community needs. Here’s where we’ve been:

• Rollin’ and Summer Resources Fair
• Peabody School
• Fletcher Maynard Academy
• Kennedy Longfellow School
• King Open School

We welcome the community’s input! We will be posting updates to this webpage. We also invite you to reach out to us at askdhsp@cambridgema.gov or share your input via a survey at bit.ly/DSHPfeedback.

What’s next:

• A virtual learning session entitled “How to Apply to the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery” will be happening over Zoom on Thursday May 04, 2023, from 6:00–7:00 PM
• In-person Registration Support session will be happening at the following dates, and locations:
• Mondays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023, 5:00–7:30 PM at DHSP, 51 Inman Street, 3rd Floor
• Thursday, May 11, 2023, 6:00–7:30 PM at Frisoli Youth Center, 61 Willow Street
• Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6:00–7:30 PM at Gately Youth Center, 70 Rindge Avenue