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?

Click on each area on the map for full details

Service Regions: 0

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties Cape Cod Children’s Place

10 Ballwic Rd. Eastham, Eastham, Eastham, United States

011 888 1224
crussell@capecodchildrensplace.com

Greater Boston Jewish Family & Children’s Service

1430 Main St. Waltham, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

781) 419-6708

Hampden County Square One

1095 Main St. Springfield, Springfield, Springfield, United States

(413) 858-3133
smabry@startatsquareone.org

Northern Worcester County Making Opportunity Count

165 Mill Street, Unit 2B, Leominster, Leominster, Leominster, United States

(978) 956-3209
info@firststepstogetherma.org

Plymouth County Bay State Community Services Inc.

400 Washington Street, Suite 201, Braintree, Braintree, Braintree, United States

(857) 939-9681
JSeaberg@baystatecs.org

Southern Bristol County Bay State Community Services Inc.

908 Purchase St #308, New Bedford, New Bedford, New Bedford, United States

(857) 939-9681
JSeaberg@baystatecs.org

Workshops & Seminars

Education to Empower
Families in Recovery

Guiding Families Through Recovery

This workshop is designed to help families take purposeful steps towards recovery, one day at a time.

Family Support Strategies for Recovery

This workshop is designed to help families take purposeful steps towards recovery, one day at a time.

Guiding Families Through Recovery

This workshop is designed to help families take purposeful steps towards recovery, one day at a time.

"They really helped me become who I am today. I think if I didn’t have the Counselor and Family Recovery Support Specialist a couple times, I would have given up. I don’t know if I would have made it this far. I always tell them how thankful and grateful I am for them."

FIRST Steps Together Program Participant

"(My Family Recovery Support Specialist) was wonderful… she kept me hanging on the whole way. No matter how much was on my plate at the time, she did her absolute best to break it down with me. You know, ‘One thing at a time’ and she kept my head level so that I wasn’t so stressed out over different stuff. She was there to walk me through the stuff."

FIRST Steps Together Program Participant

"Most programs focus on one thing or another. FIRST Steps blends it all together to make you feel like they understand the actual struggles we deal with. They make you feel safe and comfortable and not judged or under pressure to fit in or do well! I have never had a program I actually wanted to return to like I have this one."

FIRST Steps Together Program Participant

Blog Post

News & Insights

Recovery Month Spotlight: Ribbons for Recovery: A Visual Tribute to the Power of Healing

The Power of Peer Work in Supporting Parents Affected by Substance Use

Embracing Home Visiting: An Important Resource for Parents in Recovery from Substance Use

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.

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

Every Step Toward a Brighter Future

Inspiring Video Stories

Program Overview

Ramon's Journey

Sofie's Journey