GoodStart is MSPCC's nationally recognized program to promote safe, healthy families and prevent child abuse and neglect through education, counseling, and family support services. GoodStart intervenes early to strengthen families and help children reach their full potential. GoodStart offers a tapestry of services specifically designed for children age zero to three and their families.

The Winchester GoodStart program was uniquely formed by a committed group of Winchester residents who, working in cooperation with the Winchester Hospital and MSPCC, identified the need for the program and worked together to raise the start-up funds. The program has provided service to more than 70 families from Winchester and surrounding communities, including Medford, Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Woburn, Malden, Reading and Lowell. The program works through the combined efforts of MSPCC's professionals, the Winchester Hospital and local volunteers. A MSPCC full-time social worker oversees the Winchester program. The social worker conducts home visits with each family to assess their individual needs and connects them with the appropriate education, counseling or community support services.

One of the services often provided to families is a "parent mentor", who is a local volunteer trained by MSPCC. The "parent mentor" visits the family's home on a weekly basis, offering guidance in parenting skills and giving moral support to young mothers and fathers. These volunteers attend training sessions covering such topics as infant growth and development, active listening skills, family dynamics, adolescent pregnancy and chemical addiction.

The GoodStart Tennis Tournament was begun as an annual fund raising event to compliment the private, corporate and United Way of Massachusetts Bay funds that support the program. Last year (1997) the event raised over $22,000 in tournament fees, corporate and private sponsorships.