Families First Health & Support Center

Held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday morning of each month. Need some time to relax with other grownups? Want your kids to be socializing while you do? Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. With Allison Dillon.

Toddler Playtime is held each Monday morning (except during the last week of August and the last week of December), for children ages 1 to 2, and their parents or caregivers. Your child will enjoy gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and first friendships, while you get new ideas for activities and parenting, and a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley.

Held each Tuesday morning, Mother-to-Mother Connections offers support to mothers during their baby's first year, when postpartum depression and anxiety are common. Come be with other mothers who know what it's like! With Susan Remillard, PCD (DONA), CLC, who is trained in birth and postpartum care. For more info, call Susan at 207-439-3033. Free child care with advance signup.

Summer is a time of relaxation, rest, and…reading together! Parents who read to their children every day and talk about what they are reading help their kids succeed in school. Join us and learn about simple things you can do to spark your child’s love of reading this summer. Facilitated by Maureen Donnelly, M. Ed, Curriculum Manager, TobiiDynavox.

Does your toddler cry, whine and scream for everything? What is the best way to respond to these challenging behaviors? This discussion will offer strategies for dealing with tantrums during the toddler years based on the work of author and educator, Janet Lansbury. Facilitated by Parkie Boley,

This 7-week series introduces parents to the communication and discipline strategies from No Drama Discipline by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. We will look at how we react to our kids’ misbehavior and learn ways to strengthen relationships and resolve conflicts with our kids. July 2-Chapter 1: ReTHINKING Discipline July 9-Chapter 2: Your brain on discipline July 16-Chapter 3: From tantrum to Tranquility July 23-Chapter 4: No-Drama Connection in Action July 30-Chapter 5: 1-2-3 Discipline--Redirecting for today and tomorrow…

Shaming, inconsistency and negativity are not good for our kids, and yet we all fall into these patterns at times. It is never too late to become the parent you want to be. This discussion is based on the work of author and educator, Janet Lansbury. Facilitated by Patrice Baker.

Do you need help finding more happiness and joy in parenting -- and in life? Learn strategies (scientifically proven) for developing a more positive outlook... and explore ideas for encouraging kids to do the same. Based on the findings of researcher and author, Shawn Achor. Facilitated by Patrice Baker.

Need some time to relax with other grownups? Want your kids to be socializing while you do? Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. Facilitated by Patrice Baker.

Dr. Brené Brown is a professor and researcher who has a lot to teach us about courage, shame, vulnerability and empathy. In this two-part class, we will listen to and discuss her Ted Talks and interviews, and walk away with ideas and inspiration for “parenting bravely.” Facilitated by Patrice Baker.

Routines create a strong family foundation. They provide kids with consistency and a sense of security, and they are especially important during times of transition—like the back to school season. Learn how you can help your child succeed by creating structure, setting limits, identifying strengths and using logical consequences. Facilitated by Bob Pavlik.

Families First offers free parenting classes on the 2nd, 4th (and 5th if there is one) Thursdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. Free child care is always included if you sign up in advance! Please check back closer to the time to find out the topic for each class.  You may opt to be added to the wait list. You may also sign up for our Family Focus newsletter to get announcements by email.