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

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.  

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. This group is currently full - email to be added to the wait list. New Group Begins January 11, 2020.

New Dads Group

Usually the Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street

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.

Upcoming Dates: December 17, January 21, February 18, March 17

Registration required; please email Heather at hobrien@jri.org 

New Mothers Group

Wednesdays, 179 Great Road, Unit 104A, Acton, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

(directions link above) 

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!

THIS GROUP WILL NOT MEET ON CHRISTMAS DAY OR NEW YEARS DAY.

Emotional Well-Being After Baby Group

Held every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. at First Connections, 179 Great Road, in Acton. 

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, please contact the facilitator, Heather O'Brien, LICSW at hobrien@jri.org

Home Visiting

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.

Space is limited in all groups and pre-registration before attending is required by emailing lmatthews@jri.org. All groups are free of charge. Each child may register for one group. To receive our newsletter four times a year with playgroup descriptions and registration dates, email your name, child's name and age, and town you live in to lmatthews@jri.org.

Children over 12 months will be registered on a space-available basis if they do not live within our catchment area: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hanscom AFB, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, Westford.

Winter 2020 Playgroups begin January 13 - see schedule above.