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! offers enrichment opportunities to parents, caregivers and educators about topics affecting families with children from birth through the teen years.
Families CAN!
Families CAN! uses award-winning, evidence-based programs, providing enrichment opportunities to parents, caregivers and educators about topics affecting families with children from birth through the teen years.
Our programs are designed to promote one or more of the 5 Protective Factors. Protective Factors are conditions in families, communities, and organizations that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. These factors are:
1. Parental Resilience- The process of managing stress and functioning well, even when things are difficult.
2. Social Connection- Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental & spiritual support.
3. Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development- Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
4. Concrete Support in Times of Need- Access to support, resources, and services that address a family’s basic needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges.
5. Healthy Social & Emotional Competence of Children- Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions, and build healthy relationships with peers and adults.
Eligibility
Enrichment Workshops are open to all parents and caregivers at no cost.
Families CAN! serves parents, caregivers, and educators in Sagadahoc, Knox, and Waldo Counties.
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.
Upcoming Parenting Enrichment Programs:
Nurturing Parenting for Parents & Their Children with Special Needs & Health Challenges-
9 session series
Monday, April 10- June 12 from 6:00-8:00 PM
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. Nurturing Parenting has been designed to provide families the support & resources 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.
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoc-6sqz0qH9ym2AqyYfFeMhnMQcRiMchi
Parent Cafe
Wednesday, March 29 from 9:00- 10:30 AM
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.
This is a free program over zoom.
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcofuCtrjkvGtDkX6D9UvT7JibPp9p7-zOz
Active Parenting: 5-12- 6 session series
Part 1: Thursday April 13- April 27, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Part 2: Thursday May 4- May 18, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 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
This is a free program over zoom.
For more information or to register, contact: Gayle at (207) 442-7963 ext. 271 or email gayle.erdheim@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwof-qqrTgqHtYRApb1mH7OdHyGDyQMh7Dv
Active Parenting: Tweens & Teens- 6 session series
Part 1: Tuesday, April 25- May 9, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Part 2: Tuesday, May 16- May 30, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM
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
This is a free program over zoom.
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAodemtrzkqEta0NXolBaLeD5oeoiAaNTCK
Upcoming Professional Programs:
Mandated Reporter Training- 2 hours
Tuesday, April 4th from 1:00-3:00 PM
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.
This is a free program over zoom
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArf-ytqjspHd1snINWWOgr-rZdpJ-tV8CO
Infant Safe Sleep & Period of PURPLE Crying Training – 2 hours
Thursday, April 6th from 2:00-4:00 PM
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.
This is a free program over zoom
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
To register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwufuChrjIuGd3XQxLerrdzDYyTWyYbSBVR
Upcoming Events:
Touch A Train
Saturday, April 22nd from 11:00- Noon
This FREE event is open to families in Waldo County. We will explore the train from 11:00-11:30 and then go on a train ride from 11:30-Noon.
This will be held at the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad, 212 Depot St. in Unity.
Registration is required for this event. To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/touch-a-train-tickets-551652556647
For more information or to register, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
Community Book & Resource Fair
Saturday, May 20th from 10:00- 1:00 PM
This FREE event is open to families in Knox County. Families are invited to bring their children to this FREE book and resource fair. Each child will be able to pick out their own books to keep and caregivers will be able to gather information about community resources.
This will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 15 Wesley Ln in Rockland
For more information, contact: Missy at (207) 442-7963 ext. 286 or email melissa.kettell@mmcacorp.org
Community Baby Shower
Saturday, June 3rd from 10:00-11:15 AM OR 11:45- 1:00 PM
This FREE event is open to families in Sagadahoc County, Brunswick, and Harpswell.
Free welcome baby bag for the first 50 parents/caregivers to register in each session;
Information about resources for babies from prenatal to 1st birthday;
Giveaways, demonstrations, and chances to win raffle items in each session!
This will be held at Midcoast Maine Community Action, 34 Wing Farm Pkwy in Bath
Registration for one of the time slots is required. To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-baby-shower-resource-fair-tickets-591430583797
For more information or to register, contact: Dawn at (207) 442-7963 ext.230 or email dawn.flagg@mmcacorp.org
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 a 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- 3-6 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 parenting 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: Effective 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 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 Parents & 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. Nurturing Parenting has been designed to provide families the support & resources 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.
Strengthening Families by Building Protective Factors – 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 .1 CEU.
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 - 2-4 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.
