The Maine Department of Education (DOE) in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services is pleased to offer Strengthening Relationship-Based Family Engagement Practice Across Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce – a professional learning opportunity designed for early care and education professionals serving children birth–age six.
Delivered by Educare Central Maine, this learning series will expand educators’ capacity to respond effectively to the needs of young children and their families. Participants will engage in a two-day interactive professional learning experience and three Community of Practice (COP) opportunities focusing on:
- relationship-based and reflective practices,
- understanding the relationship between adult well-being and children’s development,
- strengthening interactions with children/families,
- using observation to inform practices, and
- supporting educators in navigating challenging interactions and situations.
Brazelton Touchpoints’ strengths-based approach will be incorporated into the learning experience as a framework for understanding relationships with children and families.
In-person and Online Learning Registration
In-person space for the two-day intensive is limited to 50 participants (preferred) with an online hybrid option also available for remote participation via Zoom. A light lunch will be provided for those attending in-person.
Registration includes the in-person or online two-day intensive as well as three online Communities of Practice sessions which will build upon previous learning and concepts from the intensive training, discuss implementation experiences and challenges, apply relationship-based practices to real situations, and support sustaining the work beyond the training. Registration is open through October 29, 2026.
Two-Day Intensive:
November 2 and 3, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.,
Educare Central Maine, 56 Drummond Ave, Waterville, ME 04901.
Please note: Once the in-person spaces are filled, the online hybrid option will remain available.
Community of Practice (COP) Sessions:
- November 12, 2026, 12:30–2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
- November 19, 2026, 12:30-2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
- December 10, 2026, 12:30–2:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Questions may be directed to Stacie.McCoy@maine.gov, Head Start Collaboration Director, or LeeAnn.Larsen@maine.gov, Director of Early Learning.
Preschool Development Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $10,000, funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HHS or the U.S. government.
