The Family Peer Specialist (FPS) role has been in Maine to support families who have children/youth with special medical, emotional and behavioral health needs for over 25 years. During the past 10 years this role has quickly evolved to being one of not only providing emotional support and resource sharing to also reducing feelings of isolation by providing opportunities to learn from and support each other; build family protective factors, resiliency and strength; and practice vital parenting skills in an environment free from shame, blame and judgment. Join us to learn about the family organizations in Maine who offer you free parent peer support, the three levels of support, FPS role/credentialing and the benefits to the family and service delivery system when family peer specialists are utilized!

The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Crisis & Counseling Centers, is the place where Gaining Empowerment Allows Results. G.E.A.R. is run by parents for parents providing services for parents of children with emotional and behavioral health concerns.

Through parent-to-parent sharing of experiences and knowledge, G.E.A.R. Parent Network empowers parents of children with behavioral health needs to build on their family’s strengths and to advocate for their family’s needs.