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  - 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.

WINTER PLAYGROUPS HAVE BEEN CANCELED. SPRING GROUPS WILL BEGIN WHEN COVID19 RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED. You may register for a spring playgroup when you receive your spring newsletter. If you do not receive the newsletter yet, email your name, town and children's ages to lmatthews@jri.org. 

Space is limited in all groups and pre-registration before attending is required. All groups are free of charge. Each child may attend one group per week.

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.

To be connected with the Coordinated Family & Community Engagement providing playgroups for your town, email lmatthews@jri.org.