Last updated on August 7, 2008

The Family Resource Center opened in January 2003 as a collaborative effort lead by several non-profit organizations and local families to strengthen our community. The mission of the Family Resource Center is to:

 Provide both educational and recreational resources to families in Southern York County through weekly groups for parent and child together, parent education and on-going parent support.
 Offer a safe, fun environment for families to learn from experts and each other.
 Provide opportunities for families to connect with other families.

All of our programs are designed to promote healthy families and are focused on children and parents. The goal of the center is to help parents in their important role of raising children. All of our programs are free of charge. The evening support groups include a meal, and an activity.

Description:
Below is a list of the some of the programs offered at the Family Resource Center:
 'Let's Talk Babies' - a support group/social time for parents of children under the age of one with occasional guest speakers that answer questions and educate others in an informal setting;
 Weekly playgroups for children three and under 'Toddlers Morning Out', and 'Movers and Shakers';
 Weekly 'Messy Art' for preschoolers aged three to six and their siblings;
 'Relatives as Parents' program for grandparents and great grandparents or other relatives raising children;
 Support group/classes specifically for fathers- 'Daddy and Me';
 A Parenting Book club has been offered in the evenings around topics of interest- 'How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk', 'The Spirited Child', 'Out of Sync'and 'Endangered Minds'.
 Education/training programs for child care providers are offered at the center, under the auspices of Child Care Services of York County, within their Carelink Resource Development Program;
 Bi-Weekly 'Drop in and play' opportunities exist for parents who want a smaller group;
 'Adoptive Families Together' is offered monthly for parents who are touched in any way by adoption;
 On-going 'Parent and Child Together' program for families with children of all ages;
 There are also many meetings at the FRC for professionals and community volunteers who work in programs serving children, youth, and families. 'Kittery Children's Leadership Council' meets monthly;
 In May 2004, we offered an 'Introduction to Sign Language' for children under 30 months and their parent;
 We offer a 'Parent Lending Library' with resources for parents;
 We make referrals to area agencies as needed each month (average 25/month);
 We continue to host workshops for parents that focus on parent support, parent education, and parent and children together activities that connect families together.

History:
Casey Family Services, the Community Wellness Coalition and Child Care Services of York County are the lead organizations that collaborated with parents to establish the Family Resource Center. In July 2003, the Family Resource Center became a program of Child Care Services of York County, a non-profit organization. Federal and state grants, collaborative non-profit and corporate partners and community and individual donations provide funding for programming and operations.

Contact person: Michelle James, Program & Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 207-439-8764

Address:

518 US Rte.1 - Family Resource at Center Landmark Hill Kittery, ME 03904 (See a map)

Web Site: http://ConnectingFamiliesTogether.org

Directions:

Going north, pass the factory outlets and continue past the entrance to Maine Visitors Center. Approximately one (1) mile ahead on the right is the Landmark Hill Complex. Enter and go behind the strip mall. The Family Resource Center is in the middle of the upper level of the strip mall.

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Michelle James
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	No

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