[HCCN] PR: 2 Relatives Support Groups H/W counties

[Candy Eaton]

December 1, 2010; FOR IMMEDIATE 
RELEASE.....................................................*a pdf 
poster is attached FYI*
CONTACT:/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>

**

*"Relatives as Parents Group Expands to Washington County"*

The Downeast Children's Council, a program of Downeast Health Services, 
is pleased to announce that a new monthly "Relatives As Parents" group 
will begin meeting in Washington County on the *_first_* Tuesday of 
every month 10:00-11:30am.If you are interested in participating in 
these FREE mutual support groups, please call Candy Eaton at 667-5304 
ext. 261.If you want to share your story, meet others in your situation, 
learn about resources and activities, join us at Downeast Health 
Services, 247 Main Street, Suite 2, Machias.

Each month, we will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss 
and learn from each other about a specific topic specific to "Parenting 
the Second Time Around".Topics scheduled are:

·January 4^th :"Maine Grandfamilies" DVD introduction

·February 1^st :"It Wasn't Supposed to be Like This"

·March 1^st :"Getting to Know You"

·April 5^th :"Rebuilding a Family"

Our Hancock County group will continue to meet on the *_second_* Tuesday 
of every month, 1:30pm-3:00pm, at Downeast Health Services, 52 Christian 
Ridge Road, Ellsworth.New participants are welcome at any time.The next 
meeting will be December 14^th , with the scheduled topic of "Discipline 
is Not a Dirty Word, But It May Look Different Today".

Despite the relatively high number of "grandfamilies", many of the 
caregivers do not know others who are in similar situations. This can 
lead to feelings of isolation, which can be magnified for families who 
are already living in sparsely-populated rural areas.These difficult 
life experiences faced by "grandfamilies" are countered by the joy of 
being part of the child's life, the relief of knowing the child is safe, 
and the satisfaction of seeing the child thrive as his or her life 
becomes more stable.

Even though each story is unique, most of the children living with 
relative caregivers share a common experience of sadness or confusion 
about losing their birth parent, whether it is due to substance abuse, 
physical or mental illness, or other circumstances. It may be a 
temporary or permanent loss, or as often happens, an unpredictable one 
as a birth parent moves in and out of the child's life. Because of this, 
some children wonder if their parents love them and why they are not 
there for them. Many children know the fear and instability of not being 
sure if someone will take care of them or if they will be safe.

Downeast Health Services Inc., seeks to support the many families who 
have recently undertaken the unexpected responsibility of caring for a 
relative's child. 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.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, support groups and family resources 
available in Hancock County.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.

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