Strengthening Families, One Step at a Time on the Path to Recovery

Building stronger families on the path to recovery.

Every Step Toward a Brighter Future

FIRST (Families in Recovery SupporT) Steps Together is a program initiated and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), dedicated to serving and empowering families on their parenting and recovery journey. The program is supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is administered by the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition within the Massachusetts DPH.

This initiative focuses on providing comprehensive support to families navigating the challenges of parenting while in recovery, helping them to build stronger, healthier futures.

Spotlight

Inspiring Video Stories

Program Overview
Learn about our program from staff and parent participants.
Ramon's Journey
Ramon shares his journey of recovery and parenting as a father in FIRST Steps Together.
Sofie's Journey
Hear Sofie’s story of resilience in parenting and recovery.

Recovery & Parenting Toolkit

Check out our downloads for essential resources to support families impacted by parental substance use. Our guides offers tools and strategies for creating a strengths-based, trauma-informed program.

FIRST Steps Together
FIRST Steps Portfolio
My Family Portfolio

How do I find services for myself or someone I work with?

Hampden County
Square One
1095 Main St. Springfield
Shalonda Nicholson-Mabry, Program Coordinator
(413) 858-3133
smabry@startatsquareone.org

Northern Worcester County
Making Opportunity Count
165 Mill Street, Unit 2B, Leominster
Alvina Duffy, FIRST Steps Together Supervisor
(978) 956-3209
ADuffy@MOCinc.org

Greater Boston
Jewish Family & Children’s Service
1430 Main St. Waltham
Intake & Services Coordinator

(781) 419-6708

CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org

Plymouth County
Bay State Community Services Inc.
400 Washington Street, Suite 201, Braintree
Jennifer Seaberg, Senior Program Director
(857) 939-9681
JSeaberg@baystatecs.org

Betty Doherty, Program Supervisor
617-529-1044
Edoherty@baystatecs.org

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties
Cape Cod Children’s Place
10 Ballwic Rd. Eastham
Christina Russell, Program Director
(774) 722-3305
crussell@capecodchildrensplace.com

Southern Bristol County
Bay State Community Services Inc.
908 Purchase St #308, New Bedford
Jennifer Seaberg, Senior Program Director
(857) 939-9681; JSeaberg@baystatecs.org
Meridith Hallisey, Program Supervisor
617-429-8891Mhallisey@baystatecs.org

Workshops & Seminars

Education to Empower
Families in Recovery

Blog Post

News & Insights

Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our Generous Funders

FIRST STEPS TOGETHER IS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. THE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE BUREAU OF FAMILY HEALTH AND NUTRITION.

FIRST Steps Guide 2
FIRST Steps Together
FIRST Steps Portfolio Download
FIRST Step Guide Download​
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