MASSACHUSETTS – Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), one of the state’s most prominent organizations devoted to promoting the rights and well-being of children and families, in collaboration with the state’s infant mental health association, Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health (MassAIMH) will once again bring together organizations and communities across the Commonwealth for Celebrate Babies Week. The week, observed across the globe from October 20-24, 2025, is dedicated to honoring infants, toddlers, young children, their families, and the infant and early childhood professionals who support them.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a formal proclamation recognizing the week across the Commonwealth, noting, “We must work together as a state to increase awareness and public understanding of the critical importance of early healthy relationships between babies, toddlers, young children – including those with special health needs – parents and early childhood caregivers.”
Courtney Chelo, Director of Government Relations, and Aditi Subramaniam, Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy, with the official proclamation issued by Governor Maura Healey.
To officially commemorate the week, MSPCC will host a virtual convening on October 22, 2025, from 10-11 a.m., during which government officials, practitioners, advocates and community members will come together for a panel discussion featuring:
- Madi Wachman, Director of Parent, Child, and Family Policy, MassHealth;
- Jessie Colbert, Founder and Executive Director,Mass. PPD Fund;
- Elaine Fitzgerald Lewis, Director, Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition, State Title V Maternal and Child Health Director, Massachusetts Department of Public Health;
- Aimee Smith-Zeoli, Supervisor of Statewide Behavioral Health Team, Department of Early Education and Care;
- Brian Gold, Executive Director, Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative;
- Jennifer Valenzuela, Executive Director, Massachusetts Children’s Trust;
- Carmen Rosa Noroña, Ivys Fernandez, Desiree Hartman, Center for Excellence in Immigrant Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Boston Medical Center
Aditi Subramaniam, MSPCC’s Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy, commented, “Babies can’t wait! Now more than ever, action to center unshakable belonging for thriving babies, families and communities and ‘holding the baby’ in mind is imperative.
We are grateful to be in collective spirit and action with more than 79 organizations and individuals statewide who joined us in requesting the Proclamation from Governor Healey and her office.”
The official proclamation issued by Gov. Healey.