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.
Services include:
Children's Playgroups
New Parent Groups
Post Partum Depression Support
Parent Education Programs
Quarterly Newsletter
Free/Low Cost Family Program Information
Local Childcare & Early Education Information
Extensive Resource & Referral Guidance
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
Deborah Werneburg
Program Director
179 Great Road, Suite 104A
Acton, MA 01720
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 429-8284 x201
ddwerneburg@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
First Connections is a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) program with primary funding from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. With additional support from generous individuals and organizations, First Connections' wide range of family services are offered at no charge. In order to maintain these services, however, we need your support! Please consider First Connections in your charitable giving!
We would like to acknowledge our 2021 organizational donors (listed alphabetically): Acton-Boxborough United Way, Acton Congregational Church, CHNA15, Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, Emerson Hospital Community Benefits, Eversource, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblum Family Foundation, and Sage Therapeutics. Thank you for your support!
First Year of Life Programs
New Format! New Dads Group - Zoom Group
August 10, 2021
Dads who have already attended this group will receive the link automatically.
We are excited to announce that our New Dads group will now be a peer-led group, facilitated by two experienced dads. This group allows dads to make connections, ask questions, learn about child development, and share their experiences of parenthood. Adjusting to a new identity as a parent along with the changes in relationships with friends, family and partners can sometimes be a challenge. Fathers are welcome to attend with/without babies and continue to attend the group for as long as it is helpful. This group is geared toward fathers with babies 0-12 months. We are LGBTQ+ friendly and welcome any person who identifies as a father. Please email hobrien@jri.org before attending to receive the connecting link for this currently-virtual group.
New Mothers Group-Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30
This group is currently meeting via Zoom. 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 is currently meeting via Zoom every Thursday at 10:00. Email Heather for the link and password if you're attending for the first time. You will then receive the link automatically each week.
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.
Parent and Child Playgroups
First Connections runs weekly playgroups for children (ages 1-6) to attend with a parent or caregiver. These programs require advanced registration and usually run once a week for six to ten weeks. These popular programs tend to fill quickly. To find out more about current availability or to be added to the waiting list for a program, please email lmatthews@jri.org.
Click the orange Newsletter link near the bottom of this page for a full list of our current playgroups.
Find Your Local Parent Association
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
"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
Program Blog
First Connections Blog
Go! Go! Go! Stop!
Cherise Mericle Harper
Video of Ms. Ellie reading the book.
Vehicle painting: this book is a perfect fit with one of my… read more
The Napping House
Audrey Wood, Don Wood
Video of Ms. Ellie reading The Napping House
Pile in the bed: let your child collect a bunch of… read more
What’s This? A Seed’s Story
by Caroline Mockford
Video of Ms. Ellie reading the story.
Sensory play: fill a bin with soil, some bigger seeds… read more
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