The mission of The Family Center at the Northshore Education Consortium is to provide high-quality educational programs, community resources and family support in the area of special education and special needs to families, educators and other professionals who impact the lives of children.

The Family Center is open to all families and professionals in the community.  We offer a welcoming environment with empathetic and knowledgeable staff members who are available to assist in accessing information and community resources. The Family Center provides a lending library with books, articles and up-to-date literature on a multitude of topics including special needs, at-risk youth, medical, developmental and behavioral conditions, substance abuse, family issues and parenting. Computer access is available for families with links to national and community organizations and agencies. The Center provides further support to families through parent support groups, parent trainings and educational workshops.

Lending Library

Our lending library is accessible to parents, family members, and professionals.  Adult and children’s books are available for a 14 day period and may be signed out in the Family Center.  There is also a wide variety of brochures and other literature that may be taken home from the Family Center without need to return.

• Adult Books (add link)
• Children’s Books (add link)

Family Workshops

Family Workshops give parents, other family members and professionals a chance to enhance their knowledge base on a variety of mental health and medical health disorders as well as developmental and behavioral conditions, substance abuse disorders and parenting techniques.  All of our workshops are based on the needs expressed by parents within our programs and our member districts.  Your input is very important to us, so please feel free to contact us with any suggestions or recommendations for future workshop presentations.

Who Should Attend

Family Workshops are intended for families; however professionals and other community members are always welcome.

Continuing Education Credits

Certificates of Attendance are offered for attendance in our Family Workshop Series through The Northshore Education Consortium.

Community Resources

Resource information is available on community programs, behavioral health services and recreational activities. Bulletin board displays current community events and support groups.

Parent Support Groups

Parent support groups are held monthly. The focus of the group is to provide support to parents who have behaviorally challenging children. Groups are offered through the collaboration of the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL). All groups are facilitated by a professional and based on peer support. Groups are free, confidential and open to the public. {For parents only}

Educational Workshops

Family Workshops are open to parents and professionals.  They offer an opportunity to learn new information and a chance to meet others who share similar interests. All workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is required.  Please see our scheduled events below for further information

Other Services

Family Workshops

Family Workshops give parents, other family members and professionals a chance to enhance their knowledge base on a variety of mental health and medical health disorders as well as developmental and behavioral conditions, substance abuse disorders and parenting techniques.  All of our workshops are based on the needs expressed by parents within our programs and our member districts.  Your input is very important to us, so please feel free to contact us with any suggestions or recommendations for future workshop presentations.

Parent Support Groups

For further information on Parent Support Groups please contact:

Krissie Burnham, PAL’s Family Support Specialist @ Northeast Behavioral Health

Phone: 978-283-0296 Ext.732

Email: krissieburnham@me.com