What is Family Futures downeast?
The purpose of FFD is to help parents and families to reach their goals including having the financial ability to pay bills, find good jobs, getting a college degree, and help their children become successful.
Our team of coaches and educators help you navigate everything from getting ready for college, registration, the steps to apply for financial aid, and academic assistance.
At the same time, your children enroll in quality educational programs at the same campus.
It’s called 2 Gen – parents and children learning at the same time. FFD is offered at both the University of Maine at Machias and the Washington County Community College.
Am I eligible?
Parents who have at least one child under the age of 8 and live in Washington County.
Students must be 200% below the federal poverty level.
How do I apply?
- Reach out to FFD for an initial conversation about your goals and circumstances.
- Complete the short application. Our admissions committee will review your application and conditionally accept or offer other recommendations.
- Once conditionally accepted into FFD, the FFD staff with work with the parent to complete the college application, apply for financial assistance and complete the intake process. We’re with you each step of the way!
How much will it cost?
There is no cost to participate in FFD. FFD will assist you in applying for financial aid to pay for classes and materials. If the financial aid awarded does not cover the cost FFD will assist the family in paying. Early childhood education is provided to the children registered with FFD at no cost to the family.
2-gen approach
Education for the Whole Family
Parents enter FFD by participating in the College Transitions program, which provides comprehensive services including gaining study skills, exploration of career and college plans, financial aid, and support to improve math, reading and technology skills. Working with their coach and the instructors from Axiom Education & Training Center, parents complete the admissions process for either UMM or WCCC.
Each fall, parents enroll in a 15-16 credit college program as a cohort – all the parents enrolled in the program take the same courses together. As part-time students, parents take two classes Fall Semester, two Spring Semester, and one class during the first half of the summer session. In addition, parents receive ongoing tutoring from the AETC staff. Classes are designed to be personally relevant and stimulating to parents.
Early childhood education is provided to all FFD children under 8 years old at Downeast Community Partner’s early childhood centers co-located on the UMM and WCCC campuses. Each evening, while parents attend their classes, children are receiving high-quality, early childhood education and care from a team of certified early education teachers and trained professionals. Teachers work on social and emotional development skills that will help children be school-ready. With a goal of children reading at or above grade level by Grade 3, DCP teachers work on language development and literacy to help families reach that goal. For many FFD children, this is their first time in any formal child care or early education setting. The Centers can help children build relationships with other children and teachers, and become ready for pre-school, Head Start or K-12 education.
Coaches work individually with parents to identify resources for FFD Youth ages 9-13, supporting on-campus education and recreation, kinship care or supervised activities with trusted individuals or community youth programs.
Support
Support from a Coach
We provide each family with intensive support from a coach. The coach assists the family in working to remove any barriers to participate in the program. The coach assists the student throughout the year to learn the complicated college system. The coach helps each student with goal setting, and progression throughout the year, for the family. We also provide Transitional Coaching for parents during the second year of the program. This support may include continuing college supports, job coaching or financial literacy and planning.
What is the Coach and What do they do?
Family Futures Downeast provides you with intensive support from a Coach. Your coach assists you in working to remove barriers to allow you to participate in the program.
They will assist you through the year to learn the complicated college system.
Your coach assists you with goal setting, and progression throughout the year.
Tutoring
FFD partners with Washington County Adult and Community Education, who provides College Transitions classes each summer, and free individual tutoring to our students.
What is the Summer Preparation course?
FFD begins with a college preparation course the summer before classes begin. This is class helps you to be ready for college and settle into the evening routine with your children. There is no grade for this class.
Family Centers
We have a Family Center on each campus. Each center is set up to make students, and their children successful.
What is a Family Center and how can I use it?
Family Futures Downeast has a Family Center on each campus. Each center is set up to you and your children be successful. Each space is set up to provide a safe location on campus to study, meet with the coach, meet with fellow students, work on assignments, meet with the tutor, print homework, use the internet, and gather together for fun. The spaces are set up for small children with toys, children’s furniture, and kitchenettes.
Transportation
We work with you to remove transportation barriers. You can discuss your needs with your coach.
How will I get to campus?
You will receive gas cards for travel to and from the campus if needed. If you do not have reliable transportation, FFD will work with you to ensure you can attend and participate in programming.
What will my schedule look like?
The FFD college curriculum is made up of five 3-credit classes each semester. The courses teach topics that are relevant to a family’s everyday life. These courses can be applied to most associate or bachelor degree programs.
You and your children will arrive be on campus on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Classes begin with college prep in August and continue until the end of the spring semester.
Your children can be dropped off at the childcare center to begin their early childhood education activities at 5:45pm. Meals will be provided to children and families before class. You will then go to their classroom and attend class from 6:30p – 8p.
Technology
FFD works with you to get you the technology you need to be successful.
What if I don't have a computer and internet at home?
Family Futures Downeast loans a laptop and wi-fi hot spot to each participant to use during the first year of the program.
after the program
Helping Families Dream Big
After completing the 15-credit program at either UMM or WCCC, families can receive up to an additional year of coaching supports from our Transitions Coach.
Building Skills
Transitional Coaching
Whether parents plan to continue on to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or seek additional professional credentials through a certificate program, the Transitions Coach can help. Working together with the parent to connect them to campus-based resources, the coach will ensure that they are accessing community services that could support them until they complete their degree.
For parents that enter or re-enter the workforce, the Transitions Coach can help build career development skills. They work on resumes and interviewing, identify and resolve barriers to obtaining and retaining employment, and help identify key community resources and natural supports to improve success in the workplace. Some parents may also have entrepreneurial plans for small business. The coach can connect the family to community business training, consultation and workshops to help grow a business.
A Whole Family Approach to Jobs
Workforce and Economic Development
Right from the start of FFD, students are learning about their own abilities, interests and possible career pathways through individual assessments with staff from Washington County Adult and Community Education. Campus faculty and staff can help students connect their education goals and their career goals. And coaches encourage FFD parents to dream big; coaches work closely with parents to improve the family income and economic opportunities. They help families with financial barriers that impact both education and career opportunities. An important part of FFD is envisioning ways in which students can access meaningful work that pays them a living wage and can change the trajectory for the whole family.
Testimonial
“Family Futures Downeast was a great support system. The coaches and the other girls helped me get back into the swing of things and kept me going when things got a little tough. I knew I wanted to go back to school and Family Futures Downeast helped me achieve that goal.”
%
Students continue in college
%
of parents feel more hopeful about their children's futures
%
Reported new professional connections
Families have participated in FFD
Get In Touch
Machias Location: 7 Ames Way, Machias, ME 04654
Calais Location: 330 North Street, Calais, ME 04619
Telephone: (207) 255-0983
Email: familyfutures@sunrisecounty.org
Hours: M-F: 8am - 5pm