For every $1 spent on early childhood education, society gains as much as $16 in long-term savings.
Insufficient early childhood development programming costs the United States $57 billion annually due to loss of productivity.
steering committee
The Steering Committee is comprised of visionary cross-sector leaders tasked with determining shared norms, guiding principles, strategic goals and new initiatives.

Michael Cancilliere
Executive Director, Meeting Street

Rachel Davis
Director Community Benefits, Southcoast Health

Soraya DosSantos
Maternal Advocate & Postpartum Provider, Maternal Nurturing Collective

Chris Howard
President, First Citizens’ Credit Union

Pam Kuechler
Executive Director, PACE

Maria Rosario
Executive Director, NorthStar Learning Centers

John Vasconcellos
President, SouthCoast Community Foundation

Sonia Walmsley
Executive Director of Educational Access and Pathways, New Bedford Public Schools
Partner Spotlights
Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, community-based health system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Mobilizing philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of the region.
United Way of Greater Fall River funds Health, Education, and Financial Stability programming for agency partners throughout Greater Fall River. We believe everyone deserves opportunities for a good life: a quality education that leads to sustaining job opportunities, enough income to support a family, and a good, healthy lifestyle that increases life expectancy.
The Southcoast Coalition for Early Childhood Education (SCECE) is a network of cross-sector stakeholders dedicated to ensuring every child has the best start in life and enters kindergarten ready to reach their fullest potential.