Care That Extends Beyond the Classroom
At ABC Head Start Society, supporting children means supporting the whole family.
That’s where our Family Engagement Team comes in — a dedicated group of social workers and home educators who provide care that extends beyond the classroom. Working alongside educators and families, they are a key part of ABC’s wrap-around approach, helping caregivers navigate challenges, build confidence, and create stability at home so children can thrive in their learning.
Each ABC campus and classroom site is supported by a Family Engagement Worker who builds trusted relationships with the families in that community. While they are rooted in individual sites, the team works collectively across the agency — sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and stepping in when families need extra care or continuity of support.
We want to take a moment to recognize and thank the Family Engagement Team for the compassion, consistency, and dedication they bring to this work every day. Much of what they do happens quietly and behind the scenes, but its impact is felt deeply by children, caregivers, and educators alike.
Holding Space, Creating Stability
Some stories stay with us long after they happen. At ABC Head Start Society, those stories are often held by our Family Engagement Team. This one was shared by one of our Family Engagement Workers — someone who has spent many years supporting children and families at ABC. It reflects who we are as an organization: responding with care, consistency, and compassion when families need support most.
A young family had recently joined ABC Head Start Society. One of their daughters was already experiencing language delays and behavioural complexities and had been in the program only a few weeks when tragedy struck.
Her father was killed in a sudden accident.
When the child stopped attending and our team learned what had happened, they moved quickly to support the family. Overnight, a young mother became the sole caregiver to three children, all trying to make sense of a devastating loss.
As the Family Engagement Team continued to check in, they visited the family at home — bringing food, resources, and support. Standing at the door, the weight of everything she was carrying was written across her face. When she looked at the groceries, she paused and quietly said,
“Right… I need to feed them.”
It was a small moment — but it said everything.
Walking Alongside, Not Stepping In
The little girl, already navigating developmental challenges, began to struggle even more. She became increasingly emotional, sometimes withdrawn, and often expressed anger toward those around her.
Rather than trying to “fix” things, the Family Engagement Team did what they do best: they walked alongside.
They connected the family to grief and mental health supports. They accompanied mom to intake appointments. They provided ongoing home visits and regular check-ins. In the classroom, educators offered extra care and attention, while a home educator worked closely with mom and her daughter to rebuild their relationship, support emotional regulation, and continue preparing her for kindergarten.
And through it all, mom kept showing up too. She attended parent groups. She reached out when things felt overwhelming. She did everything she could to support her children — even when the path forward felt uncertain.
The Ripple Effect of Consistent Care
Over time, with consistent support both at home and in the classroom, the little girl began to settle. Her emotional regulation improved. Her engagement in learning increased. And her relationship with her mother grew stronger.
The family found their footing again — not because the challenges disappeared, but because they were no longer facing them alone.
One day, mom simply said,
“Look at the difference you’ve made. What you’ve done for her.”
She shared that ABC was the first place she thought to reach out — because she knew she would be safe, supported, and understood.
Everyday Heroes, Extraordinary Impact
The Family Engagement Team may not always be visible in the classroom, but their impact is woven into every success story at ABC. They are the quiet connectors, the steady presence, the ones who show up — again and again — when families need it most.
Their work is a powerful reminder that early learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It extends into homes, relationships, and communities — creating stability, resilience, and hope where it matters most.
What the Family Engagement Team Does
Stories like this happen because of the depth and scope of ABC’s Family Engagement Team.
Their work extends far beyond the classroom, supporting families at every stage of their journey with ABC, including:
Intake and onboarding, helping families feel welcomed, understood, and supported from their very first connection with ABC
Home visits and one-on-one support, meeting families where they are — both literally and emotionally
Parent and caregiver workshops, focused on emotional regulation, child development, parenting strategies, and reducing isolation
Family programs like Stay & Play and Family Connections, which build community, confidence, and peer support
System navigation, connecting families to mental health, housing, financial, and community resources
Advocacy and accompaniment, ensuring caregivers never have to face complex systems alone
This work recognizes a simple truth: children thrive when their caregivers are supported.
About Heroes in Orbit
Heroes in Orbit is a storytelling series from ABC Head Start Society that celebrates the everyday champions who make our mission possible. From educators and family support staff to volunteers and community partners, these are the people who lift others up, go the extra mile, and embody the heart of ABC.