Gear Parent Network

Defusing Challenging Behaviors: How to Effectively De-Escalate Your Child
2026-03-24 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Opportunity Center, 161 Davis Rd Bangor
This is an in person only event
What is the best way to quickly defuse your child’s challenging behavior in the heat of the moment? Yelling at them? Punishing them? Grounding them in their room for a week? Or giving “Show ‘em who’s BOSS” vibes. Using these harsh methods will only add fuel to the fire. And the point is NOT TO make things worse in those intense situations. Join us in learning to remain calm and use different techniques that can help defuse a situation before it gets worse!
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.

Parenting with Dignity - Picking up This Ball Is a Victory for All
2026-02-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
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G.E.A.R. Parent Network invites you to pick up the ball and run with it through a multi-part parenting education course developed by Mac Bledsoe, father of a former celebrated New England Patriots’ quarterback. Parenting with Dignity helps parents learn effective techniques for raising responsible, independent children.
Note: You must attend all sessions in order to complete the entire curriculum. Space is limited, so you must pre-register for this series. (Feb 25th, March 4th and 11th)
Topics include:
Session 1: A Model of Human Performance and Five Rules for Parents
Session 2: Discipline, Deciding what you Want – Part 1 and 2
Session 3: Sending a Constant Message of Love – Part 1 and 2
Session 4: Teaching Your Values to Your Kids and Goal Setting
Session 5: The Reasons Punishment Doesn’t Work
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/sWPdDow4TxOUzVzzGLtAbw

Nurturing Parenting for Families in Recovery
2026-04-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
If you are a parent, caregiver or working on your recovery and want to learn more about the effects of substance use on your family, parenting style, and your relationship with your child/youth, please join us for this FREE 12 week program. You will explore hands on activities, along with guided discussions to enhance your self-awareness and increase your ability to relate to your child/children/youth in a safe and supportive environment surrounded by parents and caregivers who share similar life experiences. Join us to explore ideas and build skills; strengthen your connection with your child or youth!
Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Link to register: https://forms.gle/xT1y8T9uZVShR89P9 or call Megan Dickinson at 207-859-1580
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.

What is Considered Child Abuse & Neglect in Maine?
2026-04-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
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Our children are our future and child abuse and neglect is everybody’s business! In this workshop learn what is considered child abuse; state and national statistics; what Maine law is and how to report child abuse or neglect; the difference between “punishment” vs. “discipline”; child behavioral management examples and what are family and child protective factors; in addition to sharing stories of parenting lessons learned.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/rCr3wJK2QECL_L6pyyCJEA

Building Stronger Families Through Effective Communication
2026-04-28 17:30 - 19:00 | The Opportunity Center, 161 Davis Rd Bangor
This is an in person only event
Effective communication skills are vitally important for thriving family relationships. Using tools such as non-violent and non-verbal communication can improve our ability to resolve conflicts that arise and strengthen bonds within families. As parents, we can master these skills and model them for our children. Join us in learning the various strategies that are at the heart of good communication.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.

Building Healthy Digital Habits for Families
2026-05-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
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Join us for the premiere of our new workshop which is designed to empower families by offering tools for how to talk to your youth around current research on screen time management, providing information about social media sites, offering tips for online safety, and helping you build healthier habits around screen time for your family.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/0ApEKgHoQV2a_Kwgu94omQ

Reactive Attachment Disorder/RAD
2026-05-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
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Robert is an adoptive parent of two special needs children (now adults). Dr. Walker has almost forty years of experience training and supporting parents and professionals in the areas of adoption, foster care, and attachment related trauma. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. His Ph.D. work focused on communication, attachment, and emotion in biological and non-biological family systems. His dissertation research examined the effects of dysregulated children on their biological and non-biological families and their family environments.
Join us for this special Children’s Mental Health Action Week event, where Dr. Walker will discuss the implications of making a home for an Attachment Disordered child. He will discuss the effects of such a placement on the environment of the family and the implications of RAD on the parenting methods that must be employed in an effort to help the child overcome the effects of their early life trauma. Dr. Walker believes that by increasing your understanding of the true nature of the deficits caused by early life trauma, parents can more easily address those needs and by doing so, improve the climate within their families. Questions from the audience will be answered at the end of his presentation.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/y_awil_DRy-9rORn88bssw

ADHD 101 - What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask!
2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:00 | The Opportunity Center, 161 Davis Rd Bangor
This is an in person only workshop.
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. Come and join in the conversation as we journey together toward greater success.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.

ACEs, Being a Trauma-Informed Parent: Linking Childhood Trauma to Long-Term Health & Social Consequence
2026-05-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
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Traumatic childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or substance abuse in the home can have long-term physical, psychological, behavioral and economic consequences. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study demonstrates the connection between childhood trauma and a wide array of physical & mental health problems. Despite the trauma in their lives, children can survive and even thrive. Protective factors, including healthy relationships with parents and caregivers, foster resilience in children and help them to overcome early adversity.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/6UPCZa7kSwmgfmj6uxvSgw

Managing Caregiver Stress: Strategies for Recognizing & Reducing Stress
2026-05-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
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We all have stress in our lives. The stress is even greater for parents or caregivers raising a child or youth with emotional and behavioral health needs. Please join us for this presentation and have conversation and discovery of what stress is, how stress affects us, how to differentiate between good and bad stress; you will also and learn about different forms of stress relief and reduction strategies that can help us to live healthier lives.
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Kennebec Behavioral Health, 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.
Follow the link to register to join us for this no-cost educational session: https://kbhmaine-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/_gf9lPAJSHeDPqBhB-j5dw
