Families CAN!
Serving Sagadahoc County.
Pre-Registration Required
For more information on Families CAN! programs or to schedule a training, contact Dawn Flagg at:
Phone: (207) 442-7963 ext. 230
Email: dawn.flagg@mmcacorp.org
Families CAN
Families CAN! provides enrichment opportunities to parents and caregivers in Sagadahoc County
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Support and services for parents, caregivers, and educators in Sagadahoc County.
Families CAN! uses award-winning, evidence-based programs, providing enrichment opportunities to parents, caregivers, community service providers, and educators about topics affecting families with children from birth through the teen years.
Eligibility
- Enrichment Workshops are open to all parents and caregivers at no cost.
- Families CAN! serves parents, caregivers, community service providers, and educators in Sagadahoc County.
- Professional trainings are available on request at no cost.
Parent & Caregiver Enrichment Workshops
Our enrichment programs are designed to offer parents and other caregivers information, strategies and resources that can help them build a strong foundation for a safe and happy family.
To join Families CAN! email list to be notified of upcoming programs and events: https://forms.office.com/r/gnmyMXrcuP
We are mapping community spaces where Sagadahoc County families go to have fun, get information, resources, or support! Please fill out this survey to let us know what community spaces you frequent in our county! https://canmaine.net/survey_entry.asp
Enrolling Now:
Nurturing Parenting – 10 individual topics
Tuesdays, September 24- November 26 from 10:00- NOON over zoom
This is an open series of 10 enrichment classes. Attend as many as you want or can. Increase positive nurturing skills and behaviors to strengthen your family’s communication. Topics include: ages and stages of development, enhancing brain development, dealing with feelings, developing self-worth, praise and encouragement, communicating with respect, family values and rules, and nurturing discipline techniques. And the end result- you’ll have more fun together!
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlc-uvpjwuH9OdNnw5MhG8A2KUgwMmdLO0
For more information or to register, contact Dawn at (207) 442-7963 x230 or dawn.flagg@mmcacorp.org
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Active Parenting: Teens- 6 session series
Mondays, October 28- December 9 from 6:00-8:00 PM over zoom
This series is designed for parents and caregivers with children from 11-16 years old. Active Parenting: Teens will give you the guidance and support you need to turn the challenges of raising a teenager into opportunities of growth. You’ll learn:
- Methods of respectful discipline
- Skills for clear, honest communication
- Concrete strategies to prevent risky behavior
- How to be encouraging to your children
- Insight into important issues such as teens online, bullying, and depression
- How to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rc-2qpzgoE9bNkrFo1xJqj1dggEDPahWZ
For more information or to register, contact Missy at (207) 442-7963 x286 or melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
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Active Parenting: 5-12- 5 session series
Wednesdays, October 2- October 30 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Active parenting will give you the skills to achieve a fuller, more satisfying family life, and to help your children achieve greater happiness and success. This workshop is geared toward parents and caregivers with children 5-12 year olds and will show you effective ways to:
- Use positive discipline that works
- Open up lines of communication
- Defuse power struggles with your children
- Build closer relationships through family fun
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItcO-trzksG9cHvfXbggNj5Z_uWReRAftU
For more information or to register, contact Missy at (207) 442-7963 x286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
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Infant Safe Sleep & Period of PURPLE Crying Training – 2 hours
Thursday, October 10th from 1:00-3:00 PM over zoom
These national initiatives focus on preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and promoting a safe sleeping environment for infants. Get the most up-to-date information that promotes infant safety, and gain a new way of understanding the normal period of crying during a healthy baby’s first year of life. Each topic can provide .1 CEU for a small fee.
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udemtqjMtGtAv6bXprXa9M6Jpmh-BzUBL
For more information or to register, contact Dawn at (207) 442-7963 x230 or dawn.flagg@mmcacorp.org
Upcoming Events:
1st Annual Community Book & Resource Fair
Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 10:00- NOON
at Midcoast Maine Community Action, 34 Wing Farm Pkwy in Bath.
Families in Sagadahoc County are invited to bring their children to this free family event! Each child will be able to pick out five books to keep and parents will be able to gather information about community resources.
For more information, contact Missy at (207) 442-7963 x286 or melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
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3rd Annual Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair
Saturday, May 31st from 9:00- NOON
at Midcoast Maine Community Action, 34 Wing Farm Pkwy in Bath
Families in Sagadahoc County, Brunswick, & Harpswell who are expecting or have children under 2 years old are invited to attend our 3rd Annual Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair.
Registration will be required for this event. To be notified when registration opens, please enter your information into this form: https://forms.office.com/r/EJpG0eKm04
For more information, contact Dawn at (207) 442-7963 x230 or email dawn.flagg@mmcacorp.org
For more information about the baby shower, go to our baby shower website: https://bit.ly/3JjxFkq
Parent & Caregiver Enrichment Workshops:
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline- 3 session series
This program takes a humorous look at parenting and a serious look at discipline for children aged 2 to 12. Learn the simple techniques to get your children to STOP whining, arguing, and having tantrums. Discover effective methods to get your kids to START doing those things you want them to- cleaning up, doing homework, and going to bed.
Surviving Your Adolescents- 3 session series
Adolescents can be both confusing as well as aggravating to their parents, and Surviving Your Adolescents gives concrete solutions while at the same time recognizing the emotional complications that are involved in parenting teens.
Active Parenting: First Five Years- 4 session series
This series is designed for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 5. Learn about parenting styles and roles, ages and stages of development, discipline techniques that work, how to prevent tantrums, building a strong family bond, and much more.
Active Parenting: 5-12- 6 session series
Active parenting will give you the skills to achieve a fuller, more satisfying family life, and to help your children achieve greater happiness and success. This workshop is geared toward parents and caregivers with children 5-12 year olds and will show you effective ways to:
- Use positive discipline that works
- Open up lines of communication
- Defuse power struggles with your children
- Build closer relationships through family fun
Active Parenting: Teens- 6 session series
This series is designed for parents and caregivers with children from 11-16 years old. Active Parenting: Teens will give you the guidance and support you need to turn the challenges of raising a teenager into opportunities of growth. You’ll learn:
- Methods of respectful discipline
- Skills for clear, honest communication
- Concrete strategies to prevent risky behavior
- How to be encouraging to your children
- Insight into important issues such as teens online, bullying, and depression
- How to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence
Circle of Security Parenting- 8 session series
At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Circle of Security will help you:
- Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
- Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
- Enhance the development of your child’s self esteem
- Honor the innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure
Nurturing Fathers – 13 session series
This program is for any male identifying parent of a child. The series focuses on the value of male role models in a child’s life. We explore topics including the roots of fathering, nurturing children and self, positive discipline methods, managing emotions, resolving conflict, teamwork with a partner, balancing work and fathering, and more.
Nurturing Parenting – 10 individual topics
This is an open series of 10 enrichment classes. Attend as many as you want or can. Increase positive nurturing skills and behaviors to strengthen your family’s communication. Topics include: ages and stages of development, enhancing brain development, dealing with feelings, developing self-worth, praise and encouragement, communicating with respect, family values and rules, and nurturing discipline techniques. And the end result- you’ll have more fun together!
Active Parenting for Blended Families – 3 or 6 session series
Learn how to blend family histories and prevent or stop problem behaviors such as loyalty conflicts and power struggles. Set boundaries that work for the whole family, improve communication, build new relationships, and teach responsibility and cooperation.
Cooperative Parenting & Divorce – 8 session series
This program gives divorcing or separating couples strategies to make positive changes that shield their children from parental conflict. This series guides parents and caregivers through techniques to help children establish long-term relationships with both parents so children living in two different households can thrive.
Parenting Apart: Positive Co-Parenting – 3 week program
This is a video and discussion-based seminar that provides guidance for a successful journey through separation or divorce for both you and your child. It will help you become aware of how your actions affect your child while providing you with the skills to maintain a child-focused relationship with your co-parent.
You’ll learn five steps to:
- Keep your child out of the middle
- Allow your child to love both parents
- Work on your own recovery
- Develop new communication skills
- Create a positive new relationship as co-parents
Nurturing Parenting for Families Affected by Substance Use – 17 session series
This parenting enrichment program focuses on the effects of substance use has on the family, parenting style, and the caregiver/child relationship. This program is open to parents, guardians, partners, extended family members, and any other adult who cares for a child. Those adults in a parenting role who are working on recovery are especially encouraged to attend. All are welcome! You will:
- Explore, discover, and build on family member’s strengths
- Strengthen your connection with your child
- Learn new skills and parenting strategies to create a healthy, confident family
Nurturing Parenting for Families and Their Children with Special Needs & Health Challenges – 12 session series
Families living with children with special needs and health challenges experience a profoundly personal journey. Each family brings to the experience a unique history, value system, cultural identity, and combination of strengths and challenges. The Nurturing Parenting Program has been designed to provide families the support they need to successfully navigate the journey of parenting. Topics include: understanding temperament & attachment, brain development, comfort & calming techniques, the power of play, helping children cope, identifying & meeting your needs, and more.
Parent Cafe
The Parent Cafe is a physically and emotionally safe spaces where parents and caregivers talk about the challenges and victories of raising a family. Through individual deep self-reflection and peer-to-peer learning, participants explore their strengths, learn about the Protective Factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experiences to help strengthen their families.
Circle of Parents – Ongoing Support Group
This friendly discussion environment is a place where all parents and caregivers are welcome to find support and share stories and lessons learned from parenting. This group is led by parents and other caregivers. Anyone in a parenting role can openly discuss the successes and challenges of raising children.
Free Professional Trainings: (available upon request)
Infant Safe Sleep & Period of PURPLE Crying Training – 2 hours
These national initiatives focus on preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and promoting a safe sleeping environment for infants. Get the most up-to-date information that promotes infant safety, and gain a new way of understanding the normal period of crying during a healthy baby’s first year of life. Each topic can provide .1 CEU for a small fee.
Protective Factors for Families – 2 hours
This program supports professionals who provide services to families. Identify ways in which your organization is already supporting the development of protective factors in families, and consider how you can increase capacity to build protective factors. Protective Factors are conditions in families, communities, and organizations that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. This training can provide .15 CEU for a small fee.
Mandated Reporter Training – 2 hours
This training is for professionals and volunteers who are Mandated Reporters. Learn about the laws regarding reporting, signs of abuse and neglect, how to report, and why it is important to do so. All Mandated Reporters are now required to complete this training, or another type of training approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, once every four years.
The Front Porch Project – 3-6 hours
The Front Porch Project® training for community members addresses why people do (and don’t) get involved and provides strategies on how to help by stepping in and supporting families. Specifically, this training teaches you to:
- Increase your awareness of importance of prevention in helping to protect children and support families.
- Identify when and how to get involved in situations involving a child.
- Increase your comfort level with stepping in during those situations.
- Identify and develop comfort with a range of parenting approaches.
- Think of possible responses, interventions and problem-solving strategies.
By attending this training, you are joining a community of Mainers committed to help prevent future tragedies from occurring to any more of our children. The training is free, available online and available to anyone in the state.
Free School-Based Education:
Healthy Relationships Project
This project is made up of three school-based educational programs designed to promote healthy relationships and prevent sexual abuse. The Healthy Relationships Project utilizes health-focused strategies that match children and youth’s social-emotional level and increase protective factors as communication skills, empathy and knowledge of support systems.
- Care for Kids: Early Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention (ages 3-8)
- We Care Elementary (grades 3-6)
- SAFE-T: Sexual Abuse Prevention (grades 7-8)
Families CAN! is supported by the Maine Children’s Trust,
a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect.