Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. Photo: Alyssa Haywoode for Strategies for Children

The opioid crisis has hit people across Massachusetts – including families in early education and care settings.

To help the early education and care field address this crisis, Carol Nolan has convened small meetings of staff from different state agencies to share information about opioids and about helping families. Nolan is the associate commissioner for Strategic Partnerships for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

“We have to change the conversation so that those who are suffering feel freer to talk about their circumstances and receive treatment,” Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito said last year at the first event.

Confronting the opioid crisis is an important, on-going effort for Polito and Governor Charlie Baker. Earlier this year, the American Medical Association gave Baker the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service, saying Baker “has been a bipartisan leader and innovator, particularly on the issue of opioids, where he took decisive and meaningful action by convening a multi-stakeholder working group to develop a comprehensive plan to fight the epidemic.”

This work is even more important when it comes to ensuring that the state’s young children are safe and have access to the kind of high-quality programs that help children from all families have a shot at the lifelong success that excellent early childhood programs provide.

Here are useful links to information about the opioid crisis that you can keep and share with your personal and social media network:

• Head Start Takes a Stand Against Opioids – a video

• Resources for Addressing Substance Misuse During Pregnancy and Handouts for Families – a four-page handout with information and links

• During the Home Visit: Substance Misuse Among Pregnant Women – a four-page handout

• The Journey Recovery Process – a website, and

• The Institute for Health and Recovery’s Self Care website for pregnant women and families