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Services for ParentsEven well intentioned, caring parents may not be aware of how their children can be scarred by the traumatic and emotional effects of their separation and divorce. Kids First Center offers a series of programs to provide practical information and emotional support to parents, regardless of the nature of their past relationship or sexual orientation. View our complete Calendar here.
Kids First Program - The First Step Kids First Program for Women Next Step: Putting Conflict Aside Kids First Program for Parents with New Partners Intensive Co-Parenting Education Course Free Evening Workshops for Parents & Professionals |
Kids First Program - The First Step
The Kids First Program is a four-hour workshop for parents designed to help address problems and reduce the negative effects of separation and divorce on your children. You will learn about:
This program is offered online twice/month.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
The Kids First Program is a four-hour workshop for parents designed to help address problems and reduce the negative effects of separation and divorce on your children. You will learn about:
- Children's needs as marital and family roles change
- The effects of and children's reactions to separation and divorce
- How to talk with children about the changes that are occurring
- Making decisions about parenting arrangements
- Dealing with conflict without involving children
- Helping children adjust to differences between households
- Fee: $75 per person
This program is offered online twice/month.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
"I cannot speak highly enough about the Kids First Program. It is an extraordinary resource to parents and children in Maine, and has provided real and practical guidance for parents experiencing the difficulties inherent in divorce. The expanded programs are now providing this wonderful resource to other parents who find themselves in challenging circumstances. The children of Maine are truly blessed by the presence of this resource." |
"What Kids First did was lay the framework for me, for sure, to understand that over time my definition of family would need to change in order to keep up with my reality." |
Kids First Program for Women
The Kids First Program for Women is a six-hour workshop designed for mothers who have left relationships where intimate partner violence (IPV) was present. This program includes a modified First Step Program, along with support and education around:
This program is offered online monthly.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Read more about the Program...
The Kids First Program for Women is a six-hour workshop designed for mothers who have left relationships where intimate partner violence (IPV) was present. This program includes a modified First Step Program, along with support and education around:
- defining abuse
- safety planning
- accessing available community resources
- mitigating the negative effects on children who have witnessed abuse
- Fee: $75 per person
This program is offered online monthly.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Read more about the Program...
Next Step: Putting Conflict Aside
This is a four-week psycho-education program for separated and divorced parents. Meeting in small group sessions facilitated by two mental health professionals.
Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is encouraged.
This program is offered online monthly.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
This is a four-week psycho-education program for separated and divorced parents. Meeting in small group sessions facilitated by two mental health professionals.
Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is encouraged.
- Conflict resolution tools
- Communication skills appropriate to children's changing needs
- Parenting arrangements and how to handle new relationships
- Effective ways to avert high conflict co-parenting relationships
- Fee: $220 per person
This program is offered online monthly.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Kids First Program for Parents with New Partners
The Kids First Program for Stepparents & New Partners is a four-hour workshop designed to help parents, and stepparents or new partners, understand the typical difficulties experienced by each person - including the children - in the family. Through handouts, overheads, videos, demonstrations and discussion, participants will learn ways to ease the process so that each person will get their needs met while growing to feel comfortable in their new roles and relationships. Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is suggested.
This program is offered online every other month.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
The Kids First Program for Stepparents & New Partners is a four-hour workshop designed to help parents, and stepparents or new partners, understand the typical difficulties experienced by each person - including the children - in the family. Through handouts, overheads, videos, demonstrations and discussion, participants will learn ways to ease the process so that each person will get their needs met while growing to feel comfortable in their new roles and relationships. Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is suggested.
- Fee: $75 per person or $120 for two parents (recommended )
This program is offered online every other month.
To see the available dates of this program, see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Intensive Co-Parenting Education Course (ICOPE)
(Formerly known as Kids First Program for Parents in High Conflict)
This intensive nine-week course is designed to build co-parenting skills for parents who are in high-conflict situations, either during separation and divorce or post-divorce. Psycho-educational programs such as this are predicated on the understanding that conflict resolution is about changing behaviors and actions, and not about changing feelings. Parents attending this course must be separated or divorced from each other, and will be assigned together into a 9-week session. Participation must be court-ordered by a judge or magistrate.
(Formerly known as Kids First Program for Parents in High Conflict)
This intensive nine-week course is designed to build co-parenting skills for parents who are in high-conflict situations, either during separation and divorce or post-divorce. Psycho-educational programs such as this are predicated on the understanding that conflict resolution is about changing behaviors and actions, and not about changing feelings. Parents attending this course must be separated or divorced from each other, and will be assigned together into a 9-week session. Participation must be court-ordered by a judge or magistrate.
"For the first time, I am really noticing a positive difference in our kids now that we aren't fighting"
- Dad, after attending the ICOPE program
Parents must send a copy of the court order to: Kids First Center, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite S, Scarborough, Maine 04074. We will contact you once the court order is received.
