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Parents and children enjoy crafts at Danehy Park Family Day

Center for Families

The Center for Families (CFF) supports Cambridge families with children from birth to age eight. CFF serve more than 800 Cambridge families each year, with a focus on engaging underserved families including families who live in affordable housing developments.

CFF provides universal, strength-based parenting education and support, early childhood development programming, community-building events, case management, Cambridge Dads programming, and access to other resources and support.

CFF's programming includes:

  • Infant Support and Playgroups 
  • Baby Massage Series  
  • Parent-child Playgroups 
  • Mothers Support Groups
  • Community-building events for Cambridge families
  • Programming just for dads/male caregivers through our Cambridge Dads program
  • Case management and concrete supports 

CFF Newsletter

The Center for Families sends a quarterly newsletter to Cambridge residents interested in learning about upcoming events, playgroups, parent support workshops, and other opportunities for Cambridge families with children from birth to age eight. To sign up for the newsletter, contact Marianna Perks at mperks@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.

View the CFF Newsletter

Help In A Bag

Family fun day

Are you looking for some ideas on how to support your little one during a transition or developmental phase? The Center for Families offers free resource bags that Cambridge residents can borrow. Each bag is filled with engaging books for toddlers and preschoolers as well as articles and resource lists, including websites for parents. We have bags focused on the following topics:

  • First Time Dads
  • Getting Ready to Share
  • Biting and Hitting
  • Fun with Language
  • Starting Childcare or School
  • A New Baby in the Family
  • Death of a Loved One
  • Potty Training

If you are interested in borrowing any of the resource bags or have any questions, please contact us!

The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance.

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