Crisis and Counseling Centers

Disaster Preparedness 101: Families Prepare and Empower Themselves to Persevere Through Traumatic Events and Unexpected Disaster
2017-02-28 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Stockton Springs Elementary School, 113 Church Street, Stockton Springs, ME, 04981, United States
Presented by Cynthia Cullinane, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
When disaster strikes will you be ready? Flooding, blizzards, power outages and intense storms are common disasters in Maine. This workshop focuses on the reactions and needs of children and adolescents in times of unexpected disaster. Participants will learn how to engage their communities and emergency teams to effectively respond to the unique health and well-being needs of their children and youth. Families will begin to plan and prepare for an emergency evacuation and learn strategies to make the unforeseen event more bearable and less traumatic.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Insight on Juvenile Services
2017-02-27 16:30 - 18:30 | Canopy Park Resource Center, 46 Sullivan Street, Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States
Presented by Joe Hansen, Regional Correctional Manager, Maine Department of Corrections
Having your child detained can be a frustrating and anxious time. You may be thinking how my child will be helped away from home, what is my role as a parent now and how will we still be a family? Please join this discussion about how juvenile services are delivered, how they can assist your youth and family and the best ways to work together. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Team Up for Your Child
2017-02-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Wellness Conference Room – St. Andrew’s Hospital, 6 St. Andrews Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538, United States
Presented by Michelle Hill, RAMP Team Leader & Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Getting services for a child with behavioral health needs can be overwhelming. “Team Up for Your Child” is a step-by-step guide designed to help families navigate confusing service systems and work smarter with doctors, schools, agencies and insurers. When a child has serious behavioral health issues, you suddenly have a team of professionals in your life who provide a variety of services. This team could include doctors, therapists, health workers and teachers but remember that the coach of this team is you – the parent. You are the only one who takes care of the whole child. Learn how to identify your child’s strengths and needs, make sense of reports and evaluations, understand your child’s treatment plan, track your child’s progress and translate the Individualized Education Program. Note: Lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 18 people, so you must pre-register for this workshop.
You can register by clicking here.

The Motivation Breakthrough: Six Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child
2017-02-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Curtis Memorial Library, Seminar Room, Second Floor, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME, 04011, United States
Facilitated by Laurie Cavanaugh, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
This workshop explores proven techniques, strategies, and scripts – based on six possible motivational styles – that will revolutionize the way teachers and parents inspire children to succeed and achieve. Rick Lavoie explodes common myths and gives specific advice for motivating children. With empathy and understanding, he offers parents and teachers the key to unlocking enthusiasm and responsiveness, proving any child can be motivated to learn.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Being a Trauma Informed Parent: Linking Childhood Trauma to Long-Term Health & Social Consequence
2017-02-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Dana Center, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Presented by Laurie Cavanaugh, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Traumatic childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or substance abuse in the home can have long-term physical, psychological, behavioral and economic consequences. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is a study that demonstrates the connection between childhood trauma and a wide array of physical and mental health problems. Despite the trauma in their lives, children can survive and even thrive. Protective factors, including healthy relationships with parents and caregivers, foster resilience in children and help them to overcome early adversity. Learn about ACEs and how individuals, families, and communities can influence the development of protective factors in a child’s life that can mitigate the impact of ACEs on his or her development. Target audience: parents/caregivers of children with behavioral health issues, however, all are welcome.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Maine Dads Who Care - Parent Support Group for Dads
2017-02-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2017-01-24 17:30 - 19:30 | Wings for Families & Children, 900 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME, 04401, United States
Facilitated by Robert Boulier, Parent Volunteer
Dads have a tough job! Have you considered joining a parent support group for dads? G.E.A.R. Parent Network offers a free support group for dads of children with behavioral, emotional, or developmental health needs. Please join us to meet other dads who are on a similar journey. At Maine Dads Who Care, you will have the opportunity to compare notes, share experiences, and learn new skills. Dads, come learn about topics such as the IEP process, children’s behavioral health issues, behavior management strategies, being a trauma informed parent, restorative justice, and more! Maine Dads Who Care is facilitated by an experienced dad who has been there!

Toxic Chemicals and Our Children’s Developing Brains
2017-02-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Unity Head Start, 85 School Street, Unity, ME, 04988, United States
Presented by Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Why is environmental health so important? Consider the following information: Twelve million American children or 17 percent of all Americans under the age of 18 have one or more developmental, learning or behavioral disabilities; more than 1.5 million Americans are autistic. In the 1970s, autism was estimated to have affected about 1 in 2,500 to 5,000 children; studies show that in Maine it occurs today in 1 in 66 children; 127,000 adults and children in Maine are identified as having learning disabilities; and 37 percent of the children receiving special education services in our public schools have learning or attention disabilities. Learn why it is important to protect you family from toxic chemical exposures.

The Motivation Breakthrough: Six Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child
2017-02-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Chamber of Commerce, 4 Western Avenue, South Paris, ME, 04281, United States

Do You Speak Teen? "mnE Ps dnt bleev der is a gNR8N d/c b/t em n thr teen"
2017-02-15 09:00 - 23:00 | Downeast Horizons, 77 Union Street, Ellsworth, ME, 04605, United States
Presented by Cynthia Cullinane, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Communicating with teens today is more challenging than ever but not impossible! This workshop will explore modern technology and give you some new ideas to peek into your teen’s world. The framework of the 40 Developmental Assets® will also be shared. Minneapolis-based Search Institute® has identified 40 building blocks of healthy development – known as “developmental assets” – that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring and responsible adults.

Toxic Chemicals and Our Children’s Developing Brains
2017-02-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Community Concepts, 103 Deerfield Lane, Farmington, ME, 04992, United States

Helping Your Child Manage Their Meltdowns
2017-02-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Wings for Families & Children, 900 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME, 04401, United States
Presented by Nancy Gray, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Are you feeling like you are always walking on eggshells when dealing with your child’s meltdowns? Are you at a loss about how to help your child to be successful? You’re not alone! Join in the discussion about what meltdowns are and strategies that can be used to help your child better manage these meltdowns.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Toxic Chemicals and Our Children’s Developing Brains
2017-02-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Crisis & Counseling Centers, 10 Caldwell Road, Augusta, ME, 04281, United States
Presented by Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Why is environmental health so important? Consider the following information: Twelve million American children or 17 percent of all Americans under the age of 18 have one or more developmental, learning or behavioral disabilities; more than 1.5 million Americans are autistic. In the 1970s, autism was estimated to have affected about 1 in 2,500 to 5,000 children; studies show that in Maine it occurs today in 1 in 66 children; 127,000 adults and children in Maine are identified as having learning disabilities; and 37 percent of the children receiving special education services in our public schools have learning or attention disabilities. Learn why it is important to protect you family from toxic chemical exposures.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Parenting with Dignity - Picking up This Ball Is a Victory for All
2017-02-11 10:00 - 2017-02-12 16:00 | Conference Room 11 – Downeast Community Hospital, 11 Hospital Drive, Machias , ME, 04654, United States
Presented by Cynthia Cullinane, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
G.E.A.R. Parent Network invites you to pick up the ball and run with it through a multi-part parenting education course developed by Mac Bledsoe, father of a celebrated New England Patriots’ quarterback. Parenting with Dignity helps parents learn effective techniques for raising responsible, independent children.
Topics include:

A Model of Human Performance
Five Rules for Parents
Discipline
Sending a Message of Love
Teaching Values to Your Kids
Goal Setting
Reasons Punishment Doesn’t Work

Note: You must attend both sessions in order to complete the entire curriculum. Space is limited, so you must pre-register for this series.

Youth Mental Health First Aid
2017-02-11 08:00 - 17:30 | Vickery School, 170 School Street, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Presented by Roy Ulrickson III, Education and Support Program Coordinator, NAMI Maine
Do you have youth between 12-18 years of age in your life? Want to learn skills to be more supportive of mental well-being? Are you comfortable recognizing typical versus atypical adolescent development? Attend this fun, interactive 8-hour training to earn a 3-year national certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Open to anyone 16 years old and up with an interest in mental wellness. There is no charge to attend. This training is funded by a Project AWARE grant from SAMHSA. For more information on this training, please visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

Helping Your Child Manage Their Meltdowns
2017-02-10 09:30 - 11:30 | Meeting Room at the Cary Library, 107 Main Street, Houlton, ME, 04730, United States

Non-Toxic Housekeeping Class
2017-02-09 09:00 - 11:00 | DHHS_District Operations, 91 Camden Street, Suite 103, Rockland, ME, 04841, United States
Presented by Nancy Gray, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Save money and reduce your family’s exposure to toxic cleaners! Join us and learn: how to avoid using toxic chemicals and still provide a clean, healthy and comfortable home; how to save money and time with simple cleaning techniques; and easy and inexpensive recipes to make safe, effective homemade household cleaners.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Oh, My
2017-02-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Room 1 – Medomak Valley High School, 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME, 04572, United States
Presented by Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Are you raising a second set of children at a time you thought you would be planning your retirement? This discussion will focus on specific issues that may be challenging for grandparents today and uncover ideas and solutions for greater success and less stress.

Helping Your Child Manage Their Meltdowns
2017-02-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Charlotte White Center, 572 Bangor Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, 04426, United States
Presented by Nancy Gray, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Are you feeling like you are always walking on eggshells when dealing with your child’s meltdowns? Are you at a loss about how to help your child to be successful? You’re not alone! Join in the discussion about what meltdowns are and strategies that can be used to help your child better manage these meltdowns.

Child Abuse and Neglect: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility
2017-02-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Small LePage Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, 99 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Presented by Laurie Cavanaugh, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Our children are our future and child abuse and neglect is everybody’s business. This workshop will discuss what is considered child abuse, when to report and who to report to, state/national statistics, Maine law, “punishment” vs. “discipline,” behavioral management and protective factors.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

ADHD 101-What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask
2017-02-01 10:30 - 12:30 | Community Room, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538, United States
Presented by Laurie Cavanaugh, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
This workshop will offer the framework to help us understand what Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is, what causes it, how to diagnose and who can diagnose it; the symptoms, what helps, supports; and treatment and management. Come and join in the conversation as we journey together toward greater success.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

Parent-Child Playgroup
2017-02-01 10:15 - 11:45 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library Street, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Facilitated by Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Parents, Caregivers, and children are invited to join in our interactive playgroup sessions! KVCAP and G.E.A.R. Parent Network are offering a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate environment in which parents/caregivers and children can explore, role-play, and discover together. Activities for the play group may include story reading, making a healthy snack, nature walks, play time and more. For more information about this group, please call Diane Bouffard at 612.8996 or Kristen Plummer at 859.2520. Visit us at www.kvcap.org or www.gearparentnetwork.org.
NOTE: This group meets the First Wednesday of each month.

Special Event: “Lives in the Balance”
2017-01-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Park Avenue Elementary School, 161 Park Avenue, Auburn, ME, 04201, United States
Presented by Ross Greene, PhD
Dr. Ross Greene, author of “The Explosive Child” and “Lost at School” and originator of the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach, will speak about his time-tested, research-based CPS model. Dr. Greene’s model is highly effective with kids who are often described as “challenging,” “angry,” “defiant,” and “oppositional.” If you’re a parent, foster parent, grandparent, caregiver, or educator and are worried about a child who is described this way, please consider attending this free event. Dr. Greene’s research-based model may provide you with the strategies and support you need to help these kids in ways that are compassionate and effective. Attendance at this special workshop may assist you in educating yourself and others about the true factors contributing to kids’ behavioral challenges….about why time-outs, detentions, suspensions, expulsions, restraints, and locked-door seclusion often make things worse (and help you learn about what to do instead). Sounds hopeful, right?
A Certificate of Attendance with two educational contact hours will be provided to attendees after completion of an evaluation form.
Register by Clicking Here

Youth Mental Health First Aid
2017-01-28 08:00 - 17:30 | Atlantic Mental Health Center, 1 Stackpole Road, Machias, ME, 04654, United States

Helping Your Child Manage Their Meltdowns
2017-01-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Unity Head Start, 85 School Street, Unity, ME, 04988, United States
Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Are you feeling like you are always walking on eggshells when dealing with your child’s meltdowns? Are you at a loss about how to help your child to be successful? You’re not alone! Join in the discussion about what meltdowns are and strategies that can be used to help your child better manage these meltdowns.

Support Group Time
2017-01-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Charlotte White Center, 572 Bangor Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, 04426, United States
Nancy Gray, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Raising a child is a rewarding but demanding job! Come and join in the conversation with other parents who share similar life experiences. If you are a parent of a child with behavioral, emotional or developmental health needs, please consider joining us once a month at one of the locations listed below. Enjoy the opportunity to meet and compare notes with other parents who truly understand the journey you are on.
NOTE: This group meets the 4th Thursday of every month

Positive Behavioral Supports & Tantrum Management: Self-Preservation & Success in Parenting Children with Behavioral Health Needs
2017-01-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Curtis Memorial Library, Seminar Room, Second Floor, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME, 04011, United States
Presented by Michelle Hill, RAMP Team Leader
Do you sometimes feel like you don’t know how to help your child? Children with behavioral health needs do not come with a manual! This workshop will offer a framework to understand the nature of your child’s behavior and methods to flexibly respond to the needs your child presents. Positive behavioral supports emphasize practical ideas about how to meet your child where they are and utilize their motivation to increase success. Understanding and using Stage of Change concepts, maximizing provider involvement and enhancing natural supports will be emphasized to provide usable tools that can be applied in a variety of real life situations. Temper tantrums are disruptive behavior or emotional outbursts displayed in response to unmet needs or desires. Come and learn how to control your child’s tantrums by using behavior management.
Unable to attend in person? Join us remotely from your computer or mobile device. This workshop is available by GoToMeeting, a live and interactive web-based interface. You must pre-register to utilize GoToMeeting.

ADHD 101-What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask
2017-01-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Dana Center, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME, 04102, United States

The Motivation Breakthrough: Six Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child
2017-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Canopy Park Resource Center, 46 Sullivan Street, Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States

Parent-Child Playgroup
2017-01-19 10:00 - 11:30 | KVCAP, 26 Mary Street, Skowhegan, ME, 04976, United States
Facilitated by Diane Bouffard, CPSP, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Parents, Caregivers, and children are invited to join in our interactive playgroup sessions! KVCAP and G.E.A.R. Parent Network are offering a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate environment in which parents/caregivers and children can explore, role-play, and discover together. Activities for the play group may include story reading, making a healthy snack, nature walks, play time and more. For more information about this group, please call Diane Bouffard at 612.8996 or Kristen Plummer at 859.2520. Visit us at www.kvcap.org or www.gearparentnetwork.org.
NOTE: This group meets every Thursday from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
