Workshops
To find your nearest Workshop please look in the list below or click your county in the map below and then call us toll free on 1-800-264-9224 to book your place. (If you live near the border of another County please feel free to take a look at those groups as well) Call our toll free number, 1-800-264-9224, or Contact Us if you would like to register for one. (Click here to download a registration form.) Please be sure to indicate the name and date of the workshop, your full name and a telephone number where we may contact you. All workshops are free and open to the public. Download the newest flyer.
Learning is your key to Empowerment!
“Parenting with Dignity” curriculum is a 9 part parenting series by the Drew Bledsoe Foundation that teaches and encourages parents/caregivers to rethink their approach to discipline, punishment and empowerment. PWD teaches parents how to instill a sense of responsible decision making in their kids so that they can act responsibly when away from parents and to learn how to foster happy, self-directed children with a strong value structure and a sense of accountability for their actions. A Parents Workbook is provided that is used concurrently with the sessions that includes further explanations of the concepts along with many exercises and practical applications for parents to “try out” in their families. An additional hour class is added at the end on Family Group Decision making and healing tools.
York, Cumberland, Oxford and Androscoggin Counties
Laurie Cavanaugh, Regional Parent Support Coordinator Ph: (207) 518-9546, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
“Building Consistency in the Family” Presented by: Rita LaBarbera, Clinical Supervisor, Sweetser Mobile Crisis Cumberland County
This workshop and discussion will offer the framework to help us identify new and improved ways to build in consistency within our families
during busy and sometimes downright chaotic life challenges. Resources and Natural Supports will be explored.
Wednesday April 3, 2013 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Opportunity Alliance, 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland
"Can You Hear Me Now?" Presented by: Jan Avery of Maine Parent Federation
This beyond the basics workshop provides an up close and personal look at advocacy and communication skills. Discover how to be more assertive
without becoming aggressive. Learn to recognize signals such as body language and more. What are some of the feelings and driving motivators
that are behind what is said and heard? How can you turn a difficult conversation into a win-win outcome? This interactive journey of discovery
assists participants in becoming more effective communicators by taking an in-depth look at how people interact.
Wednesday April 17, 2013 6:30-8 p.m. at TCMHS, 143 Pottle Rd, Oxford
Wednesday June 5, 2013 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Opportunity Alliance, 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland
“Adolescence and Mental Illness” Presented by: Greg Marley, Senior Manager of Education and Support, NAMI Maine
Adolescence today is a busy, exciting, stressful and sometimes confusing time in any child’s life. It is a period when parents maintain vigilance;
seeking signs of success to celebrate and worried over signals indicating problems. Most severe mental illness first surfaces in the teenage
years, and early detection and treatment is important for successful outcomes. This workshop will focus on mood disorders, anxiety and
psychosis giving you a framework on how to identify early warning signs and how to handle them effectively.
Wednesday May 1, 2013 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Opportunity Alliance, 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland
"Parenting a Child with Autism – A Parent and Family’s Perspective" Presented by: Roxanne Zwaga, Parent and G.E.A.R.
Training Coordinator
Are you raising a child with Autism or Aspergers? Come and hear about what it is like to get the diagnosis in addition to the joys and
challenges of involved in raising a youth with Autism. You will hear another parent’s perspective and their family’s journey of the trials and
tribulations of raising and supporting their teen with Autism. Join us and also share your own experiences!
Wednesday May 15, 2013 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at TCMHS 143 Pottle Rd, Oxford
“Disaster Preparedness 101 (Modified) and Stress Relief with Aromatherapy” Presented by: Laurie Cavanaugh, Regional Parent
Support Coordinator
When disaster strikes you can be ready! Flooding, power outages and intense storms are common disasters in Maine. This modified
workshop focuses on the reactions and needs of children and adolescents in times of unexpected disaster. Additionally stress relief
strategies for daily life will be discussed. Each participant will leave with their own self made aromatherapy bath salt.
Wednesday June 19, 2013 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at TCMHS, 143 Pottle Rd, Oxford
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Tri County Mental Health Services 1155 Lisbon St., Lewiston from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10 & Wednesday, April 24, 2013
#5 & 6 “Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
#7 “Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
#8 “Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
#9 “Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment do not produce lasting results.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
#10 Extra Point! “G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes
Kennebec, Somerset and Franklin Counties
Diane Bouffard, Regional Parent Support Coordinator Ph: 612-8996 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Skowhegan Area High School, 61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan from 5 -7 p.m.
Monday, April 1, 2013
#7 “Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have.
Monday, April 8, 2013
#8 “Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Monday, April 22, 2013
#9 “Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment do not produce lasting results.
Monday, April 29, 2013
#10 Extra Point! “G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes
“ADHD 101 – What we want to Know but forgot to ask” Presented by: Diane Bouffard, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
This workshop will offer the framework to help understand what Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is; what causes it; How to diagnose &
who can diagnose it; Symptoms; Helps, Supports; Treatment & Management. Come and join in the conversation as we journey together towards
greater success.
Tuesday April 2, 2013 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Alfond Youth Center 126 North Street in Waterville
Tuesday May 28, 2013 from 9:30-11 a.m. Kennebec Behavioral Health, 5 Commerce Ave in Skowhegan
“Raising Successful Readers” Presented by Diane Bouffard, G.E.A.R. Parent Support Coordinator
This workshop offers an understanding how to engage your child in reading because by reading to our children routinely in their early
years increases their language development, helps develop an attention span and the concentration skills they need to perform and to
succeed and assures development of good, solid skills and habits that last a lifetime.
Tuesday April 9, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Crisis and Counseling Center 10 Caldwell Rd in Augusta
“Guiding Teens about Sex and Relationships” Presented by: Anna lee Court, Somerset County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
If there is a silver bullet for helping teens make healthy decisions about sex and relationships, its communication and trust. Research show that
teens pay more attention to adults they trust then they do their peers and they want to be guided by adults. Talking to teens about this issue is
not easy! If you are a parent or an adult who cares and sees the need to guide teens, you will benefit from knowing how to prepare, when to
start, what teens need to know, and how to handle difficult attitudes and behaviors. This class is more about process then facts; more about
sorting out your own values/views than telling you what to say.
Tuesday April 23, 2013 from: 9:30-11 a.m. at Kennebec Behavioral Health, 5 Commerce Ave in Skowhegan
“Recognizing Bi-Polar Disorder in Children” Presented by: Diane Bouffard, G.E.A.R. Parent Support Coordinator
Has your child or teen been diagnosed with Bi-Polar or mood disorder? Does your child have mood swings with ups and downs? Have their ups
manifested with brief, intense outbursts or feelings of irritability several times almost every day? How do girls differ then boys? When
they are down, are they feeling depressed and/or sad? Come and join this discussion about how to help your child.
Tuesday May 7, 2013 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Alfond Youth Center 126 North Street in Waterville
“Positive Behavioral Supports & Tantrum Management: Self-Preservation & Success in Parenting Children with
Behavioral Health Needs” Presented by: Mike Mitchell LCSW, Clinical Director, Crisis and Counseling Centers
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 emphasizes practical ideas about how to meet your child where they are at and utilize their motivation to increase success. 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.
Tuesday May 14, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Crisis and Counseling Centers, 10 Caldwell Rd in Augusta
“Great Minds Don’t Think Alike” Presented by: Jan Avery, Maine Parent Federation
Participants will explore their personal learning preferences and multiple intelligences. You will discover ways to make your style work for you
and gain more insight and a better understanding of what motivates those around you.
Tuesday June 4, 2013 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Alfond Youth Center 126 North Street in Waterville
“Play Therapy – What it looks like and how can it help my child?” Presented by: Grace Brace, LCSW, RTP, CTS
Have you been told that your child needed therapy? There are many kinds of therapy. Which one is best for your child? There is not a
cookie cutter type of therapy that a child fits into. Therapy should be adapted to meet the needs of your child. Come join us to hear
what play therapy is and how it can help your child and when.
Tuesday June 11, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Crisis and Counseling Centers, 10 Caldwell Rd in Augusta
“Toxic Chemicals and Our Children’s Developing Brains” Presented by Diane Bouffard, G.E.A.R. Parent Support Coordinator
Why is environmental health so important? Consider the following information: Twelve million American children or 17% 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 1970’s, autism was estimated to have affected about 1 in 2,500 to 5,000 children; studies show 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% of the children receiving
special education services in our public schools have learning or attention disabilities. Many of us are unaware that on a daily basis we all
are exposed to many toxic chemicals. Learn why it is important to protect your family from toxic chemical exposures.
Tuesday June 25, 2013 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Kennebec Behavioral Health 5 Commerce Ave in Skowhegan
Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties
Norman LeBlanc, Regional Parent Support Coordinator, Ph: 721-0161; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Damariscotta – The Damariscotta Parent Support Group is no longer meeting. Parent Support Group locations will be determined
based on expressed need for the Fall.
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Bath, Mid-Coast Maine Community Action, (Entrance will be at the back of building), 34 Wing
Farm Parkway, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
#1 “A Model of Human Performance: The ideas in your head will rule your world!”
If we are to succeed in working with our kids we must spend our time working on structuring how they think!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
#2 “Five Rules for Parents: Build Your Parent’s “tool kit” of Practical Techniques” Five simple rules parents can use to
input effective and productive ideas into their children’s head to guide their behavior and rule their world.
Tuesday, April 30 & Tuesday, May 7, 2013
#3 & 4 “Discipline: Deciding What You Want”
A guide for parents to focus on their own clear and precise vision of exactly what they want their children to do!
Tuesday, May 14 & Tuesday, May 21, 2013
#5 & 6 “Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
#7 “Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
#8 “Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
#9 “Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment do not produce lasting results.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
#10 Extra Point! “G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Rockport, Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Physicians Building, Conference Room D (Ground Floor entrance
is to the left, behind the building) in 4 Glen Cove Drive, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #1 A Model of Human Performance: The ideas in your head will rule your world!”
If we are to succeed in working with our kids we must spend our time working on structuring how they think!
AND “#2 Five Rules for Parents: Build Your Parent’s “tool kit” of Practical Techniques” Five simple rules parents can use
to input effective and productive ideas into their children’s head to guide their behavior and rule their world.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #3&4 Discipline: Deciding What You Want”
A guide for parents to focus on their own clear and precise vision of exactly what they want their children to do!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #5&6 Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #7 Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have AND
“#8 Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #9 Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment do not produce
lasting results. AND “#10 Extra Point! G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes.
Hancock and Waldo
Cindy Seekins, Program Manager, 223-9993; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: KidsPeace of New England, 16 KidsPeace Way, Ellsworth 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday, April 26, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #1 A Model of Human Performance: The ideas in your head will rule your world!”
If we are to succeed in working with our kids we must spend our time working on structuring how they think!
AND “#2 Five Rules for Parents: Build Your Parent’s “tool kit” of Practical Techniques” Five simple rules parents can use to input effective and productive ideas into their children’s head to guide their behavior and rule their world.
Friday, May 24, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #3&4 Discipline: Deciding What You Want”
A guide for parents to focus on their own clear and precise vision of exactly what they want their children to do!
Friday, July 26, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #5&6 Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Friday, August 23, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #7 Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have AND
“#8 Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
September,27, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #9 Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment do not produce lasting results. AND “#10 Extra Point! G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes.
“Medical Home Model!” Presented by: Karen Gove-Hicock, Autism Information Specialist, Autism Society
Medical Home Model is a process that helps guide families through the many existing systems in order to develop a medical/home plan and to get appropriate services. It is how a family receives health care services and is a team approach that builds a partnership among family members, medical professionals, and service providers. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes Medical Home as “a model of delivering care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective.”
Friday, June 28, 2013 from 10:30-12:30 p.m. at KidsPeace of New England, 16 KidsPeace Way, Ellsworth
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Head Start, 3 Back Searsport Road, Searsport from 5-7:30 p.m. Childcare available with pre-registration
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #7 Teaching Your Values to Your Kids”
Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have. AND “#8 Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #9 Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work”
Learn why most uses of punishment don not produce lasting results. AND “#10 Extra Point! G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes.
Searsport - No Meeting held June, July, and August.
Penobscot, Piscataquis, Southern Aroostook and Washington Counties
Toni Federico, Regional Parent Support Coordinator Ph: 746-9171; Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: Wings for Families & Children 900 Hammond St., Bangor from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #5&6 Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #7 Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have. AND “#8 Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #9 Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment don not produce lasting results. AND “#10 Extra Point! G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes.
“Parenting with Dignity”
Location: CrossKey Ministries, 153 Main St., East Millinocket from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #5&6 Send a Constant Continual Message of LOVE”
Learn to communicate your love to your kids. 10 simple ways for parents to send messages of love to their children!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #7 Teaching Your Values to Your Kids” Help your kids to pick what they want to do, be or have. AND “#8 Goal Setting” Help your kids to put their choices from #7 into productive action.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
“Parenting with Dignity #9 Reasons Why Punishment Does Not Work” Learn why most uses of punishment don not produce lasting results. AND “#10 Extra Point! G.E.A.R. Family Group Decision Making” – Healing tools/processes.
Workshop listings and registration forms are also located on our Web site at www.gearparentnetwork.com
*All workshops are offered at no charge to parents/grandparents/caregivers/educators of children with emotional or behavioral health concerns.
