Parent Associations
As a regional Massachusetts Family Network site, First Connections has made a concerted effort to reach young families throughout its 11 metro-west town catchment area by actively supporting the formation and continuation local Parent Associations in each of the communities it serves. First Connections and Parent Associations work collaboratively to offer young families resources and referrals, parent education, playgroups, and a myriad of social activities to assist parents in developing the skills they need to be involved and effective parents and to connect these parents to each other and to their communities.
This partnership between First Connections and Parent Associations has been enhanced over time. Monthly meetings maintain the continuity of this mutually beneficial relationship. First Connections offers Parent Associations an opportunity to meet together on an ongoing basis, receive and exchange information, discuss strategies to build and maintain a volunteer organization, share program ideas and resources. First Connections also provides professional development opportunities for board attendees. Additionally, First Connections provides Parent Associations various means of support for their members: a comprehensive guide to community resources, educational seminars given by practitioners in the field of child development, parent support groups, referral services, playgroups, and outreach to community organizations and agencies.
First Connections also ensures that its participants are given contact information for their local Parent Association at the time of initial contact. Parent Association events are covered in First Connections’ newsletters; contact names and websites are listed as well. In turn, Parent Associations share information about First Connections with their membership through their publications, they request specific local programming wishes and refer families who may have a specific need which First Connections can address.
In turn, Parent Associations provide important information regarding local family interests and needs to First Connections so that services and programs can be tailored to best serve these families. Parent Associations also support First Connections by sharing their membership lists to increase our reach in these communities, by making their membership aware of our program offerings by disseminating our Resource Guides at Welcome New Baby events, and by referring to First Connections services and programs in their newsletters.
First Connections views each Parent Association as a strong partner in the important work we do together to support parents and their young children. Websites
Acton Family Network www.actonfamily.org
Bedford Family Connection www.kidsplaybedford.com
Boxboro Family Network www.boxboroughfamilynetwork.org
Carlisle Parents Connections www.carlisleparentsconnection.org
Concord Family Network www.concordfamilynetwork.org
Harvard Family Association www.harvardfamilyassociation.com
Lincoln Family Association www.lincfam.org
Littleton Parent Association www.littletonparents.org
Maynard Family Association www.maynardfam.org
Stow Area Parents Network www.sapn.org
Sudbury Family Network www.sudburyfamilynetwork.org
Advisory Council
The First Connections Advisory Council is comprised of parents and representatives from community organizations, Emerson Hospital school systems, social service agencies, businesses and local mental health professionals. The board meets 4 times each year at the First Connections office in Concord. The board provides guidance on program planning, budget issues, community collaborations and development of short and long-term program goals. Individuals or representations of local organizations interested in exploring board membership and responsibilities contact Ellen Weisstein at 978-287-0221.
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