Crucial Medford Family Support Service Facing Funding Shortage

MEDFORD, MA — One of the public school district’s most important support systems for children and families will lose half of its funding by this summer.

The Medford Family Network is expected to lose approximately $250,000 in federal grant money by Wednesday, July 1. The loss is due to a restructuring by The Children's Trust, a statewide agency that is expected to reduce support for Family Centers and similar programs throughout the state this year. The Children’s Fund attributed this difficulty due to the depletion of American Rescue Plan Act funds that began in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"To access Children’s Trust ARPA family assistance funds has not only helped many of my families with financial burdens but has also given them a hand up to keep pushing forward and keep trying to provide the best care and comfort they can to their child,” The Children’s Trust said in a statement. “Despite the continued need, these concrete supports may end when American Rescue Plan funds conclude. The direct relief these funds have provided families with has improved economic security, parenting stress, and overall wellbeing.”

The MFN has the goal of connecting young families with both community resources and each other through services such as parenting education workshops, play and learn groups, city-wide events, support groups, parent leadership opportunities, a babysitting exchange program, and ESL classes. It was founded in 1996 by Marie Cassidy, who still leads the organization 30 years later. Cassidy was recently recognized by the Medford Chamber of Commerce as its “Citizen of the Year” for 2026.

The MFN’s services are available for free to any guardian who either lives or works in the city and has a child aged eight or younger.

“MFN is a vital part of our community and I hope to work with the City Council to make sure that the MFN has the resources they need to continue delivering programming and services for families and caregivers,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “That’s a lot of money however and it has to come from somewhere, so the budget process this year will be challenging. As the spring progresses and we get further into our budget planning, a clearer picture of our financial obligations will emerge.”

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