CEFAM: 2024 in Review, 2025 in Focus
As we kick off 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on what CEFAM accomplished last year and what’s ahead. Kailanya Brailey, Senior Education Equity Specialist and CEFAM Project Director, reflects on the meaningful connections made in 2024 and how they’re shaping the work moving forward. From supporting multilingual families to collaborating with partners across Maine, there’s a lot to celebrate—and even more to look forward in 2025.
What was the big win for CEFAM in 2024?
We really got to know our partners, parents, and caregivers in a more personal way. Working with our advisory committee was amazing as they shared key insights and experiences that went directly into our programming. August’s in-person partner meeting provided a direct channel to engage with the Maine Department of Education and local education agencies. This helped establish a rapport that has only strengthened our efforts to support family and community engagement in Maine.
How does this set CEFAM up for 2025?
We want to establish new relationships with community organizations that work directly with parents. We are working on updating CEFAM’s website and putting together new programming.
CEFAM highlights from 2024
- The “Empowering Multilingual Learners” worksheet series was released to help families navigate ESOL programs in Maine and learn about their rights and resources.
- With our partner organization, ParentPowered, over 4,000 families in Maine received culturally relevant, trauma-informed text messages and community support in more than ten school districts!
What we’re excited about in 2025
Building more channels of communication for rural and immigrant communities through events, resource development, and partnerships. If you are part of an organization in Maine that works directly with communities, let’s talk. Visit us at maec.org/cefam or email Kailanya at info@maec.org.
