Early Education Center Serving Wayland Boosted By State Grant

WAYLAND, MA — A local early education nonprofit serving local children was one of several organizations awarded funding from the state Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant program Wednesday.

About $15.5 million in grants were given to nonprofits across the state to expand childcare and early education programs that serve at-risk young people, including children living in shelters. The grants will serve many state agencies and municipalities that are responding to the state-of-emergency in Massachusetts over family shelter space.

Newton nonprofit Family ACCESS received a nearly $400,000 grant through the program. The nonprofit serves residents in Arlington, Burlington, Lexington, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston and Woburn.

Family ACCESS over the spring hosted a six-part literacy program for children at the Wayland Free Public Library.

"These grants support the needs of the whole family - ensuring that our youngest students have access to services that support their well-being, optimal development, and school readiness, while also strengthening the capacity of families and parents as their child’s first teacher,” state Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler said in a news release.