First4ME is a two-generation, community-based approach to improving access to quality early care and education. First4ME Portland aims to improve participating children’s social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes by working with key community partners – in Portland and statewide – to intentionally support child care providers and Portland Public Schools.
First4ME Portland supports a cohort of early childhood education programs with an individualized slate of opportunities, financial resources and services designed to meet their needs and the needs of children and families within their program.
Depending on program need and family eligibility these resources include:
Family support coaches for families of eligible children to support screening, referral and services for developmental concerns, and to help identify family goals and receive support to achieve them
Weekly enrollment stipends per “eligible” child
Monthly program participation stipend
Teaching Strategies Gold: an evidence based, authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through kindergarten
Creative Curriculum: a whole-child, comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes rich, engaging, play-based learning experiences; hands-on investigation of interesting materials; nurturing environments; and warm, welcoming, responsive relationships between teachers and children and their families
CLASS assessments: an assessment system that provides teachers the research-proven skills and strategies they need to improve interactions. Over 200 research studies prove children in classrooms with higher CLASS scores demonstrate better social-emotional, cognitive and academic outcomes
Access to ancillary funds to support staff development, quality maintenance, program accreditation and improvement efforts
A licensed mental health clinician dedicated to First4ME Portland to support children, families and providers in navigating challenging circumstances
Peer-to-peer support and coaching for educators and program directors facilitated by First4ME Portland staff to support program quality improvement
Access to processes and supports to aid families in transitioning to children to public school (either PreK or K) and in connecting families to other service providers
Participation in the development and implementation of a Shared Services model (e.g. shared professional development, substitute pool, health insurance, administrative support, etc.)
A regularly convened early childhood stakeholder group that includes representation from a diverse group of individuals and programs, to include parents, health and behavioral health care providers, early intervention service providers, cultural organizations, public school liaisons, as well as several other types of social service providers
Facilitating new partnerships between Portland Public schools and licensed child care programs
Meet the First4ME Portland Team
Mia Winter: First4ME Community & Family Support Coach
Mia has experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, including in-home, early care, K–12 schools, and healthcare. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ECE–6th grade education, and a master’s degree in child and family studies. Mia has worked with children of all ages and stages, including those with complex developmental and medical needs, and families from wide cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Prior to joining First4ME, she worked as a Child Life Specialist, supporting children and their families in the hospital through therapeutic play, developmentally appropriate medical education, and emotional support.
In her free time, Mia enjoys traveling, being outside, and spending time with her friends. She moved to Maine in 2020 and looks forward to continuing to support our community!
Alli McCadden: First4ME Community & Family Support Coach
Alli has been working with young children and their families for over 10 years.
She studied Waldorf early childhood practices and cared for children in a variety of care settings. She worked at the Bowdoin College Children’s Center with infants and toddlers for five years; there, she learned about and implemented emergent, play-based curriculum and relationship-focused care. She spent the two years as a family visitor with Maine Families, working with parents in the greater Portland area as they navigate the first few years of their children’s lives.
For fun, Alli enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, participating in game nights, reading, rock climbing, attending bluegrass festivals, and so much more!
Sasha Shunk: First4ME Family Child Care Coach
Sasha holds a master’s degree in early childhood education and has been a family child care provider for over 20 years. Her program is nationally accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Central Maine Community College and is a certified Maine Roads to Quality Trainer. With a deep passion for supporting fellow early childhood educators, Sasha is excited for her role as the First4ME family child care coach.
Outside of work, Sasha is an enthusiastic Disney fan, and when she takes a vacation, there’s a good chance she’s headed to visit Mickey Mouse!
Laurie Mack: First4ME Early Childhood Language & Literacy Consultant
Laurie is a seasoned speech–language pathologist (SLP) with over 30 years of experience working with children from birth to age five. Prior to joining Northeast Hearing & Speech (NHS), Laurie operated Communication Corner, a preschool program designed for children with speech–language delays. Through her work as an SLP and ultimately as the executive director of NHS, Laurie’s passion for play-based intervention, interdisciplinary work, and teaching parents and others about facilitating early language and literacy development grew. She has provided numerous workshops at the local, state, and national levels and through her work with the University of New England LEND program.
In her spare time, Laurie enjoys hiking, reading, crafting, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and two dogs, Harvey and Ralph. Recently retired from NHS, Laurie is excited to embark on a new adventure with First4ME.
Diane Hancock, District Coordinator, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
Tammy Dwyer, District Coordinator, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
While Diane and Tammy are not First4ME Portland staff, they are certainly members of the First4ME Portland team, working closely with our coaches and consultants to support the childcare providers in our cohort! Both Diane and Tammy are district coordinators with Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network. District coordinators serve as a resource to the early childhood workforce to support quality improvement. In this role, they build strong relationships with practitioners and programs providing technical assistance, which includes on-site consultation and facilitating peer-to-peer networks. Diane works with our First4ME Portland center-based providers while Tammy works with our First4ME Portland family child care providers.
First4ME Portland Partners
A special thanks for information and expertise provided by:
First4ME
First4ME is a two-generation, community-based approach to improving access to quality early care and education. First4ME Portland aims to improve participating children’s social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes by working with key community partners – in Portland and statewide – to intentionally support child care providers and Portland Public Schools.
First4ME Portland supports a cohort of early childhood education programs with an individualized slate of opportunities, financial resources and services designed to meet their needs and the needs of children and families within their program.
Depending on program need and family eligibility these resources include:
Mia Winter: First4ME Community & Family Support Coach
Mia has experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, including in-home, early care, K–12 schools, and healthcare. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ECE–6th grade education, and a master’s degree in child and family studies. Mia has worked with children of all ages and stages, including those with complex developmental and medical needs, and families from wide cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Prior to joining First4ME, she worked as a Child Life Specialist, supporting children and their families in the hospital through therapeutic play, developmentally appropriate medical education, and emotional support.
In her free time, Mia enjoys traveling, being outside, and spending time with her friends. She moved to Maine in 2020 and looks forward to continuing to support our community!
Alli McCadden: First4ME Community & Family Support Coach
Alli has been working with young children and their families for over 10 years.
She studied Waldorf early childhood practices and cared for children in a variety of care settings. She worked at the Bowdoin College Children’s Center with infants and toddlers for five years; there, she learned about and implemented emergent, play-based curriculum and relationship-focused care. She spent the two years as a family visitor with Maine Families, working with parents in the greater Portland area as they navigate the first few years of their children’s lives.
For fun, Alli enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, participating in game nights, reading, rock climbing, attending bluegrass festivals, and so much more!
Sasha Shunk: First4ME Family Child Care Coach
Sasha holds a master’s degree in early childhood education and has been a family child care provider for over 20 years. Her program is nationally accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Central Maine Community College and is a certified Maine Roads to Quality Trainer. With a deep passion for supporting fellow early childhood educators, Sasha is excited for her role as the First4ME family child care coach.
Outside of work, Sasha is an enthusiastic Disney fan, and when she takes a vacation, there’s a good chance she’s headed to visit Mickey Mouse!
Laurie Mack: First4ME Early Childhood Language & Literacy Consultant
Laurie is a seasoned speech–language pathologist (SLP) with over 30 years of experience working with children from birth to age five. Prior to joining Northeast Hearing & Speech (NHS), Laurie operated Communication Corner, a preschool program designed for children with speech–language delays. Through her work as an SLP and ultimately as the executive director of NHS, Laurie’s passion for play-based intervention, interdisciplinary work, and teaching parents and others about facilitating early language and literacy development grew. She has provided numerous workshops at the local, state, and national levels and through her work with the University of New England LEND program.
In her spare time, Laurie enjoys hiking, reading, crafting, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and two dogs, Harvey and Ralph. Recently retired from NHS, Laurie is excited to embark on a new adventure with First4ME.
Diane Hancock, District Coordinator, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
Tammy Dwyer, District Coordinator, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
While Diane and Tammy are not First4ME Portland staff, they are certainly members of the First4ME Portland team, working closely with our coaches and consultants to support the childcare providers in our cohort! Both Diane and Tammy are district coordinators with Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network. District coordinators serve as a resource to the early childhood workforce to support quality improvement. In this role, they build strong relationships with practitioners and programs providing technical assistance, which includes on-site consultation and facilitating peer-to-peer networks. Diane works with our First4ME Portland center-based providers while Tammy works with our First4ME Portland family child care providers.
A special thanks for information and expertise provided by:
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CONTACT
Katie Soucy
Director, Starting Strong
Portland ConnectED
e: ksoucy@portlandconnected.org
t: (651) 329-0306