Cambridge Department Of Human Service Programs Fall Program Update

Press release from the City of Cambridge:

September 16, 2020

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations of occupying indoor spaces in schools and other buildings, the Department of Human Service Programs will not be operating any of our usual programs for school-age children in school or city buildings (Afterschool programs, Community School programs, King Open Extended Day and Youth Centers) this fall.

We are currently engaged in a department-wide planning process to re-imagine and re-configure our programs for children and families. Using data we have received from family surveys to inform our programming, our efforts are focused in 4 areas:

Outdoor Activities – Kicking off September 21, we will be offering daily outdoor activities in fields across the City.

Click here to view the flyer.

Virtual Enrichment/SEL – Online classes, workshops and community building with peers offered in small groups after school (beginning early October).

Family & Individual Support – New models of family support including workshops, connection to services and individualized support for children’s learning are being developed (coming in October).

(possible) In-person Support for Virtual Learning – We are actively exploring the potential for limited in-person support for school-day learning for children in grades 4-8 using the Youth Center buildings.

Details and updates for each model will be emerging in the coming days and weeks. Please contact Michelle Farnum, Assistant Director for Children, Youth and Families at mfarnum@cambridgema.gov with questions.

This press release was produced by the City of Cambridge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.