Schedule of Workshops (for parents),

Groups (for children and parents)

and Education for Parents and Professionals) 

(let us know if there is a subject you would like to see addressed in one of our programs that is not represented here contact us)

SEPARATION and DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR

CHILDREN and ADOLESCENTS
All programs are offered at Kids First Center, 222 St. John St., Suite 101 in Portland, ME unless otherwise indicated.

Group I grades 1 - 3	Meets on Tuesdays, 4:30 - 5:45 pm January ? - February ?, 2010 March 9 - April 13, 2010 May 4 - June 8, 2010
Group II grades 4 - 6	Meets on Mondays, 4:30 - 6:00 pm January 25- March 1, 2010 March 8 - April 12, 2010 May 3 - June 7, 2010
Group III grades 7 - 9	Meets on Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:00 pm January 13 - February 17, 2010 March 10 - April 14, 2010 May 5 - June 9, 2010
Group IV grades 10 and above	Peer Facilitator Training - Four week session for teens who may then co-facilitate a support group for younger children if interested This group is FREE Meets on Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

To register your child(ren) for a group please call the Center. Both parents must provide written consent for their child to attend Groups I - III.
Course Fee: $60.00 / $45.00 per child if more than one child attends.
Financial assistance is available.

GROUPS AND PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS
All programs are offered at Kids First Center, 222 St. John St., Suite 101 in Portland, ME unless otherwise indicated.

Kids First is also offered in the following locations. Please call local numbers for current dates and registration information.

KIDS FIRST PROGRAM FOR WOMEN
This program will be offered in Portland, Biddeford and Lewiston. Please call 207-761-2709 for specific dates and times
Course Fee: $60    Register online.

NEXT STEP PROGRAM: PUTTING CONFLICT ASIDE
Meets for four consecutive weeks, 3 hours each week

PORTLAND:  Thursdays, March 4 - March 25, 2010   6:15 - 9:15 p.m.

TOPSHAM:  Mondays, May 3 - May 24, 2010    6:00 - 9:00 p.m. (directions)

Course Fee: $180 per person   Register online

KIDS FIRST PROGRAM FOR STEPPARENTS
Meets Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
December 12, 2009          February 13, 2010     April 10, 2010      June 12, 2010
Course Fee: $60.00 per person / $100.00 per couple   Register online.

SEPARATION, DIVORCE and DADS' GROUP
Meets the first Tuesday evening of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Please call 761-2709 to confirm attendance, or to be put on an email reminder list.
Course Fee: $10.00/session, collected at end of each session.

KIDS FIRST PROGRAM FOR PARENTS IN HIGH CONFLICT
Meets for nine consecutive weeks. Parents must be court-ordered to attend this course by a judge or magistrate and parents must send a copy of the court order to us (Kids First Center, 222 St. Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04102) or (fax to 207-780-0059).  We will contact you once the court order is received.

PROGRAMS FOR PROFESSIONALS and/or parents
All programs are offered at the Kids First Center
222 St. John Street  Suite 101  Portland ME (unless otherwise indicated)

upcoming programs for professionals and/or parents:

FORGIVENESS & LETTING GO OF THE PAST

This evening workshop is designed for professionals and parents to attend. So often the process of separation and divorce is clogged wtih guilt, fault, blame, resentment or rage.  Exploring forgiveness, what it is and what it is not, can often clear the path to heal ourselves and our children from these harmful emotions.  This workshop will provide a practical look a the why and how of letting go.  Family members touched by the effects of separation and divorce as well as any adults looking for tools in this area are welcome to attend.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interersted)

Thursday, January 28, 2010      7:00 - 9:00 pm

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE ADOLESCENT
This workshop is appropriate for an audience of parents and professionals faced with the various challenges of supporting an adolescent through a separation or divorce.  The mission of this program is to provide new insights into guiding this population through this transitional time.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Monday, March 8, 2010        7:00-8:30 pm 

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD

This evening workshop is designed for parents and professionals and will illustrate the challenges faced by families going through separation and divorce whose children are infants through early school years age.  Handouts will be made available.  The latest research will be shared with the audience.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Monday, April 12, 2010    7:00 - 9:00 pm

past programs:

FINANCIALLY NAVIGATING THROUGH DIVORCE

A team of four professionals from the fields of finance advising, mortgage lending, real estate and accounting will join together to present clients with an overview of helpful steps for separation and division of assets, refinancing, selling and/or buying a home, financial planning and the tax impact on both parties.  This informative evening will enlighten parents as to some ofthe choices available in order to streamline the financial aspect of the process during this transitional time. (This is a non-solicitous presentation)

This workshop is free (please call ahead to let us know you're interested)

Monday, November 9, 2009          7:00 - 9:00 pm

2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:  (professionals only)

Tools for Working with Divided Parents: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Parental Alienation, Relocation and High Conflict

A Conversation Among Colleagues With Robert Kinscherff, Ph.D., Esq.

This conference will provide tools found to be effective and successful during the nine-week, court-mandated program for parents in high conflict.  The techniques used in the model such as the "hot seat," conflict resolution and weekly phone calls between co-parenting partners will translate into a variety of settings.  Professionals will come away with creative and "common sense" methods to help parents ease out of co-parenting conflict.  Panel of graduates of the High Conflict program will be present.  Legal and mental health professionals welcome.  Applications have been approved for 6 CLEs and CEUs

Friday, October 30, 2009   8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Harraseeket Inn, Freeport

FEE: $175.00/pp (includes gourmet lunch)

register online
see brochure

see sponsors

IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN  (for professionals only)

This workshop is designed for professionals working with separating and divorcing parents who are coping with the impact of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional and verbal, and its effects on their children.  This workshop will be a forum for hearing your experiences working with this population.

This workshop is free (please call ahead to let us know you're interested)

Monday, October 19, 2009          7:00 - 9:00 pm

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE ADOLESCENT
This workshop is appropriate for an audience of parents and professionals faced with the challenges of supporting an adolescent through a separation or divorce.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Thursday, April 30, 2009        7:00-8:30 pm 

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD

This evening workshop is designed for parents and professionals and will illustrate the challenges faced by families going through separation and divorce whose children are infants through early school years age.  Handouts will be made available.  The latest research will be shared with the audience.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Monday, March 9, 2009     7:00 - 9:00 pm

FORGIVENESS WORKSHOP - LEARNING TO LET GO

This evening workshop is designed for professionals and parents to attend. Join Kids First for this unique offering for family members touched by divorce and others who may find that letting go is a challenge in any relationship.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead at 761-2709 to let us know you're interersted)

Thursday, February 5, 2009      7:00 - 9:00 pm

IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN  (for professionals only)

This workshop is designed for professionals working with separating and divorcing parents who are coping with the impact of domestic abuse, including physical, emotional and verbal, and its effects on their children.  This workshop will be a forum for hearing your experiences working with this population.

This workshop is free (please call ahead to let us know you're interested)

Monday, October 20, 2008          7:00 - 9:00 pm

2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE (professionals only)

TOOLS FOR WORKING WITH HIGHLY CHALLENGING CLIENTS:  AXIS II - WHAT DO YOU DO? 

speaker: Nancy Williams OlesEn, PhD  (for professionals only)

This workshop will provide professionals with the tools needed to identify clients who have characteristics of personality disorders and how best to help them as they navigate and parent through the separation, divorce and post divorce.  Suggested audience: judges, magistrates, family law attorneys, guardians ad litem and mental health professionals.  CEU and CLEs will be awarded.

Harraseeket Inn, Freeport

Friday, October 3, 2008   8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

FEE: $175.00/pp (included gourmet lunch)

Register online

see brochure

FINANCIALLY NAVIGATING THROUGH DIVORCE

A team of four professionals from the fields of finance advising, mortgage lending, real estate and accounting will join together to present clients with an overview of helpful steps for separation and division of assets, refinancing, selling and/or buying a home, financial planning and the tax impact on both parties.  This informative evening will enlighten parents as to some ofthe choices available in order to streamline the financial aspect of the process during this transitional time. (This is a non-solicitous presentation)

This workshop is free (please call ahead to let us know you're interested)

Monday, September 22, 2008          7:00 - 9:00 pm

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE ADOLESCENT
This workshop is appropriate for an audience of parents and professionals faced with the challenges of supporting an adolescent through a separation or divorce.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Monday, April 7, 2008  7:00 - 9:00 pm

INTRODUCTORY INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING FOR COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

A Two-Day Workshop Providing Training for Financial, Legal and Mental Health Professionals on the Collaborative Divorce Process

Friday March 28 and Saturday, March 29, 2008   8:00 am to 4:30 pm  Woodlands Club, 39 Woods Road, Falmouth, ME  cost:  $275

see brochure

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD

This evening workshop is designed for parents and professionals and will illustrate the challenges faced by families going through separation and divorce whose children are infants through early school years age.  Handouts will be made available.  The latest research will be shared with the audience.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008  7:00 - 9:00 pm

FORGIVENESS WORKSHOP - LEARNING TO LET GO

This evening workshop is designed for professionals and parents to attend. Join Kids First for this first time offering for family members touched by divorce and others who may find that letting go is a challenge in any relationship.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead at 761-2709 to let us know you're interersted)

Wednesday, January 30, 2008  7:00 - 9:00 pm

2007 ANNUAL CONFERENCE (professionals only)

THE TEAM APPROACH TO COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE
An Interdisciplinary Workshop Providing Strategies for Financial, Legal and Mental Health Professionals (presented by Marsha Schechtman, LCSW, and Stuart G. Webb, Esq.)
Friday, November 2, 2007, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main Street, Freeport, ME   cost: $165.00 (see brochure)

IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN
This evening workshop is designed for professionals only.  THe curriculum will be pressented by a team of professsionals who are well versed in the area of domestic emotional and physical abuse and its impact on children.  This is appropriate for anyone whose practice brings them in touch with a child whose life has been impacted by any form of domestic abuse.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007    7:00-9:00 pm

SECOND CIRCLE   a.k.a. RELATIVES GONE WILD!

This evening workshop by a mental health and legal professional is open to any grandparents, aunts, uncles, sibling, or other family members or close friends who are touched by separation or divorce.  The role of the extended fmaily or friends can be quite challenging due to allegiances and alliances; this evening will help illustrate helpful boundaries, appropriate "Kids First" language and ways in which the "second circle" can provide meaningful and positive support.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Monday, September 24, 2007   7:00 - 9:00 pm

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER FAMILIES: PARENTING THROUGH SEPARATION, TRANSITION AND DIVORCE
description

This is a FREE workshop open to both parents and professionals in the field (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know if you'd like to attend)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007  6:30 - 8:00 pm

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE ADOLESCENT
This workshop is appropriate for an audience of parents and professionals faced with the challenges of supporting an adolescent through a separation or divorce.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Monday, April 9, 2007   7:00-8:30 pm 

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD

This evening workshop is designed for parents and professionals who touch the lives of children, infants through early school years, whose families are going through separation and divorce.

This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
Monday, March 12, 2007  7:00-8:30 pm

2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE (professionals only)

"Busting the Myths About High Conflict Divorce: An Interdisciplinary Workshop Providing Strategies for Legal and Mental Health Professionals,"
Friday, November 3, 2006  8:00 am- 4:00 pm, Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine see brochure 

IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN

Evening workshop designed for professionals only .  Suggested audience,: attorneys, guardians ad litem, mediators, guidance counselors, therapists, child care providers, pediatricians ~ anyone whose practice brings them in touch with a child whose life has been impacted by domestic abuse.   This is a FREE workshop open to professionals (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)
October 18, 2006  7:00 - 9:00 pm. 

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER FAMILIES: PARENTING THROUGH SEPARATION, TRANSITION AND DIVORCE

This is a FREE workshop open to both parents and professionals in the field (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know if you'd like to attend)
September 27, 2006   7:00 - 9:00 pm.  description

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE ADOLESCENT
This workshop is appropriate for an audience of parents and professionals faced with the challenges of supporting an adolescent through a separation or divorce.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Thursday, April 6, 2006   7:00-9:00 pm 

SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD

This workshop is designed for parents and professionals who touch the lives of children, infants through school years, whose families are going through separation and divorce.
This is a FREE workshop (please call ahead 761-2709 to let us know you're interested)

Wednesday, March 8, 2006  7:00-9:00 pm

ANNUAL CONFERENCE (professionals only)
SAME SEX PARENTING - THE CREATION AND SEPARATION OF FAMILY, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES FOR PARTNERS AND THEIR CHILDREN
Friday, November 4, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, ME.
Registration fee: $145.00, includes lunch. (see brochure)