Do you have a question about how JRI services, related to COVID-19 or otherwise?
Our mission at First Connections is to equip parents with tools, practical strategies, and connections to other families and their communities to foster healthy parenting and guide them through the first years of the parenting journey.
Click here to visit the First Connections blog.
At a Glance
This service is for
Families with children birth to age 8 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford.
Professionals working with families with young children in those towns.
Age: Birth - 8
Gender: all
Let's Connect
Mary Beilman, MA ECSE, CLC
Program Director, CFCE Coordinator
179 Great Road, Suite 104A
Acton, MA 01720
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 429-8284 x201
mbeilman@jri.org
Linda Jensen, LSWA
Office Manager
179 Great Road, Suite 104A
Acton, MA 01720
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 429-8284 x202
(978) 429-8690
lmatthews@jri.org
Supporting First Connections
We are able to offer our programs free to families, thanks to funding from a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant, Emerson Hospital Pediatric Intervention Team, the Community Chests of Concord-Carlisle and Maynard, the Acton-Boxborough United Way, Acton Congregational Church, The Schrafft Foundation, Cahn Funds for Social Change, The Nordblum Family Foundation, Postpartum Support International, Eastern Bank, and individual donations. Thank you for your support!
Resources
Acton-Boxborough Family Network: www.abfamily.org
Bedford Family Connection: https://bedfordfamilyconnection.wildapricot.org
Carlisle Family Connection: http://carlislefamilyconnection.org , carlislefamilyconnection@gmail.com
Concord Family Network: www.concordfamilynetwork.org
Harvard Family Association: www.harvardfamilyassociation.com
Lincoln Family Association: www.lincfam.org
Littleton Parents Association: www.facebook.com/littletonparents
Maynard Family Network: www.maynardfamilynetwork.org
Sudbury Family Network: www.sudburyfamilynetwork.org
Westford Young Child Network https://www.facebook.com/westfordyoungchildnetwork
Military Family Support Group
milfamilysg@gmail.com
First Year of Life
For a new parent, there many changes, many questions, and often a feeling of isolation. First Connections offers a wide variety of supports to parents of infants.
Working Parents of Babies Playgroup
Held monthly on Saturday mornings, 9:30-11:00 - Stay tuned for an update
This group is for parents of babies who are working out of the home full time and having a difficult time staying connected, managing stress, and finding a peer community -- which can be especially difficult if you had a short parental leave or experienced any type of difficult birth experience, postpartum anxiety or depression. This group is focused on parents with babies 0-24 months who are unable to attend weekday playgroups. To inquire about openings in the next session, email lmatthews@jri.org. Email to be added to the group.
New Dads Group - Zoom Group April 14
To join the April 14 group for the first time, email hobrien@jri.org for the link & password. Dads who have already attended this group will receive the link automatically.
Expectant fathers and dads with a baby under 12 months are invited to come to their own group to make connections with other fathers, ask questions, exchange tips, and share their own unique experiences of adjusting to the changes that parenthood has brought to their lives. This group supports all new parents who identify as fathers. Whether you are parenting solo, partnered or married, adoptive or biological, have one baby or more, you are welcome here. Fathers are welcome to attend with or without babies. Facilitated by Heather O'Brien, LICSW. Meets 7:00-8:30 p.m.
New Mothers Group - Every Wednesday, 1:00-2:30
This group will be meeting via Zoom thru May 13. Email Mary at: mbeilman@jri.org for the link and password if it's your first group, then you will automatically receive it each week.
Mary will be available on Wednesdays for phone check-ins before and after Moms group, 978-429-8284, ext. 201.
Any mother with a pre-crawling baby is welcome to attend this weekly support group. Open-discussion format is a forum for you to share experiences and resources, connect with other new mothers, and seek guidance about any concerns you might have. No registration required. Facilitated by a certified lactation counselor or consultant, however parents using bottles for feeding are welcome!
Emotional Well-Being After Baby Group - Every Thursday
EWAB will be meeting via Zoom every Thursday at 10:00 thru May 7. Email Heather for the link and password if you're attending for the first time. You will then receive the link automatically each week.
Call-in hours for Heather will be available before and after group: 978-429-8284 x219 or email any time hobrien@jri.org
Emotional challenges are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, yet parents often feel isolated and ashamed if they are struggling. Parents experiencing anxiety or depression, or who are feeling overwhelmed in the postpartum year, can come together for this supportive, nonjudgmental, confidential group to share stories, learn from each other, and receive coping skills strategies. This is an ongoing group for parents of babies 0-12 months.
Before attending for the first time, or to obtain more info on connecting to the group by phone (audio only) please contact the facilitator, Heather O'Brien, LICSW at hobrien@jri.org
Home Visiting - temporarily suspended due to COVID19
We visit Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hanscom Air Force Base, Littleton, Lincoln, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford
First Connections can provide home visits in our service area for parents who have questions or concerns about postpartum adjustment, infant development, breastfeeding, or sibling-adjustment issues.
Please contact mbeilman@jri.org. Funding for this service has been provided through a donation from Emerson Hospital's Pediatric Intervention Team.
Parent and Child Playgroups
SPRING Playgroups will begin remotely. If/when schools reopen during spring we will reassess whether to continue the groups in person. Email lmatthews@jri.org if you are interested in joining any of these groups:
Multilingual Families: Tuesdays, 10:00
Military Families: Thursdays, 10:00
1 & 2 Year Olds: Wednesdays, 11:30
3 to 5 Year Olds: Fridays, 10:00
4 & 5 Year Olds who have not entered Kindergarten: Tuesdays, 11:00
2 & 3 Year Olds: Fridays, 11:00
"Thank you so much for keeping the group running online. It was so good to connect with some new people. I was on the verge of tears when people were talking about family not seeing their babies and trying to juggle motherhood at home with partners doing "real work" so close by. I immediately felt better when you said that we're doing the hardest work. It was so validating and such a great reminder of what I knew before I became a parent. For me, being a parent is a huge honor that took us a little extra time to reach. Thank you for holding this space. "See" you soon!"
Katherine
New Moms Group participant, 4/2/20
Additional Resources
Program Blog
First Connections Blog
We have a blog post with sites for you to find activities for your children, but what about the grown ups? We know this is a very stressful time, and… read more
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