[HCCN] PR: 8.31.09 Relatives As Parents Support Group

[Candy Eaton]

*HANCOCK COUNTY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL*

*a program of Downeast Health Services Inc.*

*52 CHRISTIAN RIDGE ROAD, ELLSWORTH, ME  04605*

*pHONE:  (207) 667-5304 ext. 261;  fAX: (207) 667-6117*

*children at downeasthealth.org* <mailto:children at downeasthealth.org>* *



August 31, 2009; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Candy Eaton, Program Director

* *

*"Relatives as Parents SUPPORT Group"*

As you put the kids on the bus, the time has come for us to all return 
to our school year schedules -- which includes our Relatives As Parents 
Support Group,  meeting on the second Tuesday evening of each month.  
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8^th , 2009, from 
6:00pm to 8:00pm and will feature a presentation of the film /"Maine 
Grandfamilies",/ a documentary about extended family members who are 
stepping in to care for their relatives' children.  This unique 
25-minute film highlights the challenges Maine grandfamilies face, as 
well as their strength and dedication to the children they are raising.  
Families and Children Together (FACT), a small family-focused Maine 
agency, created this film. 
 
If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, cousin or good friend of 
the family caring for a relative's child or working toward that goal, 
you are invited to join our "Relatives as Parents" facilitated support 
group conveniently located in Ellsworth at the Downeast Health Services 
office, 52 Christian Ridge Road on the second Tuesday of each month.  If 
you are interested in participating in this FREE mutual support group, 
contact Candy Eaton at 667-5304 ext. 261. 
 
The Hancock County Children's Council, a program of Downeast Health 
Services Inc., in partnership with /Maine Kids-Kin, /seeks to support 
families who are raising their relatives' children in Hancock County.  
Many families have recently undertaken the unexpected responsibility of 
caring for a relative's child.   _G__randfamilies_ is a term for 
families headed by an extended family member: grandparent, aunt, uncle 
or other relative. 
 
Raising children can be a wonderful, satisfying and enjoyable 
experience.  However, raising children is not an easy experience under 
any circumstance.  Usually when a child comes to live with a relative, 
it is because there has been some hardship within the family.  What 
begins as a temporary stay often turns into a permanent arrangement.  
Participants will learn how to work towards creating environments that 
help increase protective factors, such as developing community 
connections, improving access to resources, and reducing the social 
isolation by sharing common problems.  
 
In Maine, over 11,000 children with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, 
or with another relative who are not their parents. Even so, many 
relatives feel they are in this alone.  These relatives' lives are 
complicated, yet they are experienced parents and bring history and past 
lessons to a new relationship with their relatives' children.  
Throughout Hancock County, there are others who share many similar 
experiences and feelings.   To learn more about Maine Kids-Kin and its 
services, visit www.mainekids-kin.org <http://www.mainekids-kin.org> or 
call 1-866-298-0896.
 
The Hancock County Children's Council collaborates with many local 
partners to strengthen Maine's families.  The Council provides parent 
education classes and has an extensive collection of books and videos on 
subjects designed to help children and families live healthier lives.  
The Family Resource Center Library is available to all residents in 
Hancock County and is located at Downeast Health Services, 52 Christian 
Ridge Road, Ellsworth, ME.    Please call 667-5304 ext. 261, email 
children at downeasthealth.org <mailto:children at downeasthealth.org> or 
visit our website at www.downeasthealth.org 
<http://www.downeasthealth.org> for additional information on parenting 
classes, child development and family resources available in Hancock 
County. 
 
/Candy Eaton, Program Director
Hancock County Children's Council, a program of Downeast Health Services 
Inc.
52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth, ME  04605/
/207-667-5304, ext. 261; //children at downeasthealth.org/ 
<mailto:children at downeasthealth.org>

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