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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 Kids First Program for Women Next Step: Putting Conflict Aside Kids First Program for Stepparents & New Partners Separation, Divorce, & Dads 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:
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
"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
In addition to the Kids First Program content listed above, this six-hour program provides women with information about how to deal with:
This program is offered quarterly in Portland. Please call 207-761-2709 for specific dates and times
Read more about the Program...
In addition to the Kids First Program content listed above, this six-hour program provides women with information about how to deal with:
- Physical, emotional and verbal abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Harassment and safety planning
This program is offered quarterly in Portland. Please call 207-761-2709 for specific dates and times
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. To see the available dates of this program see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Prior attendance at the Kids First Program is encouraged.
This is a four-week psycho-education program for separated and divorced parents. Meeting in small group sessions facilitated by two mental health professionals. To see the available dates of this program see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
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
Kids First Program for Stepparents & 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.
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.
To see the available dates of this program see our CALENDAR or select when you register.
Separation, Divorce, & Dads
The Separation, Divorce and Dads group meets at our Center on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is a support group for men who are already divorced, in the process of divorcing, or who have never been married. It will give you an opportunity to discuss issues of your choosing, such as coping with loss, dealing with the stages of divorce and co-parenting arrangements.
Fee is $10/person. Registration is not necessary, as this is a drop-in group.
The Separation, Divorce and Dads group meets at our Center on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is a support group for men who are already divorced, in the process of divorcing, or who have never been married. It will give you an opportunity to discuss issues of your choosing, such as coping with loss, dealing with the stages of divorce and co-parenting arrangements.
Fee is $10/person. Registration is not necessary, as this is a drop-in group.
Intensive Co-Parenting 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 the Center (Kids First Center, 222 St. John Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04102) or (fax to 207-780-0059). We will contact you once the court order is received.
