First Connections and Healthy Families/
Adoption Information and Outreach Program

Ellen Weisstein, Program Director
Mary Rowlinson, Adoption Specialist

Community Agencies Building
Emerson Hospital
111 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner
Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (978) 287-0221 / Fax: (978) 371-1463

First Connections is a parenting support program for families with children birth through age 3. As a Massachusetts Family Network program, we are funded primarily by the Massachusetts Department of Education. We service an eleven-town area. Healthy Families is an intensive home visiting program for first time mothers under age 21 funded by Children’s Trust Fund. Together these programs provide opportunities for families in the same area to participate in programs designed to support parents in the many challenges of raising children.

Parenting Support and Activities

  • We hold support groups for first time moms, young moms, older moms, single moms, grandmothers, moms coping with depression, stay-at-home moms and moms of multiples.
  • We offer family consultations around child development and behavior
  • Seminars are held throughout the eleven towns we serve on relevant topics such as positive discipline, child development and temperament, and gender issues.
  • Parent-to-Parent supportive home visits from an experienced, trained volunteer.
  • Age-specific playgroups offered to children 7 months to 39 months accompanied by a parent.
  • Adoption drop-in playgroup held monthly for adoptive families of young children.
  • Activities for dads and kids.

First Connections works with representatives from each of the eleven towns to support parent-led activities such as holiday parties, picnics, new baby events, playgroups, babysitting co-ops and parent's night out. We can connect you with the association in your town.

Information and Resources

  • Our Resource Guide is a comprehensive directory of local educational, medical, support services and recreational listings.
  • Our parenting resource library has books, videotapes, and articles on all aspects of raising your family from pregnancy to child development and the couple relationship
  • Our First Connections Newsletter has articles on parenting, listings of upcoming programs, area events and parent association highlights.
First Connections is free to families who live or work in the following towns: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, Still River or at Hanscom Air Force Base. Those who wish to participate but do not live in the service area can pay a $15 yearly fee.

We are located in the Community Agencies Building at Emerson Hospital. First Connections hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.