Parenting and Family Programs
Regardless of the makeup of your family, the Family Center at Families First is a comfortable, safe place to meet with other parents, enjoy your children and gain new skills and confidence as a parent. Many programs are free, and all include free child care (advance registration needed).
In 1999, Families First’s Family Center received the New Hampshire Children´s Trust Fund's first Smith Foundation Award for Excellence in Service to Families. The Family Center serves as a model statewide for family resource centers.
SUMMARY OF PARENTING & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Follow links to learn more.
Group Programs for Parents and Families
Parenting
classes allow parents and other caregivers to find out the latest information on raising children and share ideas from their own experience. Parent Groups give parents and other primary caregivers a chance to get a break, relax and feel connected with others. Family Programs include Family Fun Night (for families facing stresses such as homelessness) and playgroups for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to attend with their parents. Programs are offered in several locations. Follow these links for listings of programs offered in Portsmouth, the Lower Seacoast Region, and Western Rockingham County and registration info.
One-on-One Family Support
Families First offers individualized support, education, and referral programs for families, often provided in the home. Family workers meet with families to identify needs, access services, and learn skills to reduce stress and improve family life. They also provide support and education about infant, child and adolescent development to help parents understand their children's needs. For New Hampshire residents only. More info on one-on-one family support ...
FREE CHILD CARE WHILE YOU ARE AT FAMILIES FIRST
Free child care is available for children ages birth through 12 whose parent or guardian is attending a parenting class or medical or dental appointment at Families First.
• Child care during evening parenting classes includes dinner for kids.
• For child care during a medical or dental appointment, please let the receptionist know that you need an appointment during a time when child care is available. Then, call the number below to reserve your child's spot in child care.
• Reservations are required to guarantee your child's spot in child care; call (603) 422-8208, ext. 2.
• Advance notice is needed if you can’t keep your reservation or will be late! (Parents who break a reservation without calling may have limitations placed on their ability to make future reservations.)
PARENT & FAMILY PROGRAMS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Families First has responded to community needs by offering our parenting programs in several locations in Rockingham County. Building on our relationships with community partners such as the Family Assistance Network, Lower Seacoast Youth and Family Coalition, Easter Seals, local school systems and community centers, Families First has expanded its parent programming in Rockingham County. If you’d like us to bring parenting and family programs to your town, contact Community Programs Coordinator Susie Bright at 603-422-8208 x314 or sbright@familiesfirstseacoast.org.
PARENT & FAMILY PROGRAM FUNDING
We thank the following donors for supporting parenting and family programs: NH Department of Health and Human Services, Foundation for Seacoast Health, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, NH Children’s Trust Inc., United Way of the Greater Seacoast, People’s United Community Foundation, Fuller Foundation, Portsmouth Community Development Block Grants, Provident Community Foundation, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, and the towns of Hampton, Seabrook, Portsmouth, Greenland, Stratham, Exeter, North Hampton and Rye.
IN CASE OF STORMY WEATHER ...
Whenever the weather looks questionable, please call (603) 422-8208. If Families First is closed or has a delayed opening, you will hear an announcement immediately. You can also find the latest info on our Facebook page, which also appears on the right side of each page of our website. (Scroll up and look to the right!)
In addition:
- If Families First is open but you cannot make it here for a medical or dental appointment: Please press "1" to let our staff know, as always.
- If Families First is open and you were planning to attend a parenting or family group: Sometimes groups are canceled even when Families First is open, so please press "2" to find out if the group is being held. (Morning programs are always canceled when schools are closed or delayed in the town where the program was scheduled to be held.)
