Our Navigator personally answers questions and talks with you about resources that may be available in the community to meet your individualized needs. If you have any questions about our programs or services, or aren't sure what you need, contact our Service Navigator, Rachel Arruda, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
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, the Community Chests of Concord-Carlisle and Maynard, the Acton-Boxborough United Way, Acton Congregational Church, CHNA15, and individual donations. Thank you for your support!
Resources
Acton-Boxborough Family Network: www.abfamily.org
Bedford Family Connection: www.bfctoday.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 in 8-week sessions on Saturday mornings, 9:30-11:00.
Parents of babies who are working 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 maternity 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. Summer 2019 is currently full - please email to be put on the Fall wait list.
New Dads Group
Usually the Second 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. Fathers are welcome to attend with or without babies. Facilitated by Heather O'Brien, LICSW. Meets 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Upcoming Dates: July 16 and August 13 in the Roosevelt Room, 1st floor.
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!
Emotional Well-Being After Baby Group
Held every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. at First Connections, 179 Great Road, in Acton.
This group will NOT meet on July 4 or 11 due to facilitator's vacation.
Emotional challenges are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, yet mothers often feel isolated and ashamed if they are struggling. Mothers 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 and learn from each other.
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.
Parent and Child Playgroups
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.
"The group offers a safe, supportive place to explore the trials, tribulations, and joys of being a new father. It is reassuring to talk through where we (as fathers) are at this point in our newly changed lives!"
New Dads' Group Participant, 2018
Additional Resources
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