Collaborative & Strengths Based Family Engagement
Join Cory Santos and Lori Ann Chaves to dive deep into Collaborative & Strengths Based Family Engagement. Discover and rediscover best practices in family engagement that works with families in culturally responsive ways that promote family resilience. The morning session of this track will focus on theory and the afternoon will give new and seasoned family engagement professionals the opportunity to practice and play with these skills.
Meet The Presenters:
Cory David Santos (he/him/his)
Administrative Coordinator, CFC Head Start – Fall River, MA
Coach – StrongStart, MA EEC
Cory graduated from Durfee High School of Fall River and is in the Hall of Fame for Music for his time as a Head Drum Major both his junior and senior years. He went to the University of Tampa to continue his studies in Performing Arts. While in Central Florida, Cory was a performer at Disney and Bush Gardens. He started teaching dance which led to the study of education. He finished his degree at the University of Lesley out of Cambridge and has started his Master’s Degree in Creative Arts Therapy and Educational Leadership.
Cory has been an Administrator for various childcare center-based programs in SouthEastern MA and has focused on quality improvement and workforce development. He is a Coach, presenter and traininer for the Commonwealth, focusing on Early Childhood, and is a National "I am Moving, I am Learning" Ambassador.
When not working, Cory can also be seen on and off stage in community theatre as an actor, director, choreographer and producer; he enjoys directing live-arts shows for children and families. Some of his other favorite hobbies include hiking, traveling and going on adventures with his cattle dog Meghan.
Lori Ann Chaves, MA, LSWA
Director of Clinical and Family Services
Lori A. Chaves, MA Clinical Psychology, BA Psychology, LSWA
Ms. Chaves has been employed at Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc. since 1995, where she has been involved in overseeing and implementing Health, Social Services and Mental Health Programs for the agency. Ms. Chaves authored, designed and implemented a five year Healthy Relationships Grant Program with great success for families and the community at large. Ms. Chaves has an extensive history working with children and adults as a Trauma Focused Clinician and worked in the mental health field for over 15 years.
Most recently, Ms. Chaves was instrumental in the development and implementation of a two-generational career readiness program aimed to support the well-being of children and families simultaneously, offering services for early childhood development, career training, parenting workshops, financial wellness, coaching and more. Ms. Chaves has served on many committees, task forces, and councils and takes a strong role in advocating for the well being of all children and families.