GEAR Parent Network

This is the email I received with good info on events and more

1. A brief description of G.E.A.R.’s mission and services?

Mission: As a family driven, totally parent-run organization our primary mission is to empower parents and caregivers of children and youth who have emotional and behavioral health needs to affect their own life decisions through sharing our lived experiences and knowledge, promoting hope and self-reliance with no shame, no blame and no judgment.

Maine -Statewide Services: 

Community Supports to any parent/caregiver– 5 days a week M-F, Family warm line 800-264-9224 calls returned within 24 hours and chat with another parent around child behavior management, navigating systems, resources, emotional support; M-Sat scheduled throughout every month supportive educational workshops and special educational events – mostly by zoom some in person;  family social events – some by Zoom and some are in person.

1:1 In-Home Family Peer Support: for up to 6 months in the family home -The focus of the Family Peer Support is on empowering parents and caregivers to parent and advocate for their child/youth with serious emotional disturbance, substance use or behavioral health related disorders.

The scope of this support involves assisting and supporting family members with developing and implementing a Family Vision Plan, navigating through multiple agencies and human service systems (e.g. basic needs, health, behavioral health, education, social services, etc) increasing their knowledge and skills.  It is strength-based and established on mutual learning from common lived experience and coaching that:

• promotes wellness, trust and hope

• increases communication and informed decision making and self-determination

• identifies and develops advocacy skills,

• increases access to community resources and the use of formal and natural supports

• reduces the isolation that family members experience

• and to reduce the stigma of emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders.

Areas where Family Peer Specialists may assist and mentor  parents, caregivers and youth include but are not limited to:

• Directly educate, support and encourage the family and youth’s voice and choice and what is family driven care

• Education about mental health, ACEs, the role of Family Peer Supporters and in navigating systems of care

• Development of the Family Vision Plan and support in implementing

• Provide emotional support and coaching to families by face to face contact in the home, text, virtual and phone support to empower families to get their needs met and to increase family resiliency factors.

• Provide information related to parenting, family/youth issues, community resources/events and Maine’s Family Organizations. Help to connect family to formal and informal (natural) supports.

2. Who typically qualifies for your support (e.g., any Maine parent, age range of children)?

Any Maine parent or caregiver who wants to chat with another parent may reach out and access any of our Community Supports. 1-800-264-9224 or www.gearparentnetwork.org or find us on Facebook!

For 1:1 In Home family Peer Supports – Criteria for acceptance is that your child age 0-21 must have a mental health diagnosis, is currently living with you and receives two supportive services such as special education/504, therapy, OT, Speech, medication management, targeted case management, in home supports, etc.  (Child does not qualify if they receiving services from a Behavioral Health Home or CCBHC as it is considered a duplication of service as those services already offer a Family Peer.)  All services are at no cost, no paperwork submission

3. The best way for families to get started—email, phone, drop-in?

Call us 1-800-264-9224 or go to www.gearparentnetwork.org and email or call anyone of our staff; or find us on Facebook!

4. Any upcoming events or workshops we could help share with our users?  YES Please do!

August 2025

Sunday, August 3 @ 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

“G.E.A.R. Annual Family Picnic”

Lake George Regional Park, East Side, Route 2, 10 Main St., Canaan -In person only Lake George Regional Park is a family-friendly park that offers swimming, hiking, boating and fishing. GEAR Parent Network is covering the entrance fee for families and kids to come and join us for this fun and relaxing social event!   RSVP Now Free

Tuesday August 12 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

“ADHD 101 – What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask!”

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and one of the most common mental health disorders affecting children ‘s behavior. This workshop will offer the framework to help us understand what Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is, what causes it, and who can diagnose it; the symptoms, what helps, the treatment and management of ADHD.

Sunday August 17 @ 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

Family Fun Beach Day!

Join us at Morgan’s Beach on the western shore of Cold Stream Pond.  Entrance is free so join us for this fun and relaxing social event with other parents and their kids!  The grounds include a sandy beach, picnic area, playground, changing rooms/bathrooms along with refreshments  RSVP Now Free

September 2025

Thursday, September 11 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

“Impulsivity & Disruptive Behaviors in Children & Youth”

All children and youth have outbursts from time to time, however some do have much difficulty in their ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors even when adverse consequences may occur. This lack of self-control can cause significant distress or impairment in a child’s or youth’s life. A number of different diagnoses are unified by impulsive and disruptive behaviors including oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and impulse control disorder (ICD). In this workshop you will learn more about the disorders defined in the chapter on disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), what treatments are available, and what parents/caregivers can do to better respond to impulsive and disruptive behavior.

Register for these events:  https://gearparentnetwork.org/events/

Thanks so much for all you do for Maine families, and I look forward to hearing from you.  Thank you!