Children who participate in high-quality early childhood programs are twice as likely to attend college.
In both gateway cities of New Bedford and Fall River, there remains an estimated 500 children, mostly infant and toddler, on a waiting list for care.
our members
We have intentionally engaged multiple sectors in order to develop comprehensive cross-sector alignment to support early childhood development and education across the region.
![Robyn Branco](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-ymca-400x400-1.jpg)
Robyn Branco
YMCA Southcoast
![Kate Carney](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carney-foundation-600px.jpg)
Kate Carney
Carney Family Charitable Foundation
![Helena DaSilva Hughes](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FINAL_IAC-LOGO-600px.jpg)
Helena DaSilva Hughes
Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc.
![Anthony Sapienza](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/newbedfordedc_logo_600x600.jpg)
Anthony Sapienza
New Bedford Economic Development Council
![Liz Wiley](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/marion-institute-logo-600px.jpg)
Liz Wiley
The Marion Institute
![Chris Howard](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/First-Citizens-600px.jpg)
Chris Howard
First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union
![Wendy Garf-Lipp](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/United-Neightbors-of-Fall-River-600px.jpg)
Wendy Garf-Lipp
United Neighbors of Fall River
![Melissa Cardelli](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Bristol-Community-College-600px.jpg)
Melissa Cardelli
Bristol Community College
![Colleen Kennedy-Mello](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/seven-hills-logo-300x300-1.jpg)
Colleen Kennedy-Mello
Southeast Tobacco-Free Community Partnership · Seven Hills Foundation
![Jeff Bradley](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Bristol-Savings-Bank-600px.jpg)
Jeff Bradley
Bristol County Savings Bank
![Rachel Lerner, LICSW](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Greater-NB-Health-Center-600px.jpg)
Rachel Lerner, LICSW
Greater New Bedford Health Center
![Gail Fortes](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YWCA-600px.jpg)
Gail Fortes
YWCA of Southeastern MA
![Joe Pinsonneault](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fall-River-Childrens-Museum-600px.jpg)
Joe Pinsonneault
The Children's Museum of Greater Fall River
![Kim Smith](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/United-Way-of-Greater-Fall-River-600px.jpg)
Kim Smith
Executive Director
![Michelle Hantman](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UNGNB.jpg)
Michelle Hantman
President & CEO
![Mark Montigny](https://southcoastearlyed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Seal_of_the_Senate_of_Massachusetts.jpg)
Mark Montigny
Massachusetts Senator - Second Bristol and Plymouth
![Chief Walter Correira](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/wareham-police-400x400-1.jpg)
Chief Walter Correira
Wareham Police Department
![Jill Fearons](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/friends-of-jack-400x400-1.jpg)
Jill Fearons
Friends of Jack Foundation
![Ashley Occhino](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fracc-400x400-1.jpg)
Ashley Occhino
Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition
![Pam Kuechler](https://www.heedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Pace-Head-Start-350x350-1.jpg)
Pam Kuechler
PACE Head Start
HEED is a collaborative network comprising diverse stakeholders committed to providing every child with the best start in life, ensuring they enter kindergarten prepared to achieve their maximum potential.