Building Stronger Families
The foundation for this project has been carefully laid by many years of experience gained through similar projects utilizing a specialized workforce of peer recovery staff focused on pregnancy and parenting.
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. FIRST Steps Together is a home visiting program that provides flexible, in-home, community based and virtual services focused on relationship building, parenting and recovery.
You may qualify if you:
- 18 years of age or older
- Are expecting a child or are a parent of at least one child 5 years old or younger (even if they don’t live with you) AND
- Have ever used opioids or stimulants
Find a program
FIRST Steps Together has 6 sites serving many cities and towns across the state of Massachusetts. You can find them listed on the map below. If you think this program is right for you or someone you are working with, please contact the site in your area for more information or to begin enrollment.



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

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
617-429-8891; Mhallisey@baystatecs.org

FIRST Steps Together helps parents and expectant parents address attachment challenges by offering consistent, non-judgmental support, rooted in trust and encouragement. When parents are offered this type of support, it helps them feel safe and connected and allows them to reflect on their children’s needs for a safe, nurturing relationship and environment. Relationship repair lies at the heart of recovery. It’s difficult to rebuild your connection with yourself and others—especially your children—if you’ve never experienced genuine relationship repair from others.
At FIRST Steps Together we understand that each family has their own story and that building relationships takes time. We work hard to meet each parent “where they are” through the use of peer specialists. Our Family Recovery Support Specialists (FRSS), are parents in recovery themselves, which allows them to walk with you as a family navigating the world of parenting and recovery. You also will have the option to get support around your parenting and recovery from specially trained mental health counselors.
Hear from parents in the program about their experience with FIRST Steps Together

Ramon's Journey

Sofie's Journey

Keishla's Journey
In addition to recovery coaching and parenting support, we provide:
Recovery & parenting groups in person or virtually
Referrals for behavioral health care & substance use treatment
Connections to community-based services
Help accessing support for basic needs
Support navigating the services that you might already be receiving
Our Values
- Communication: Collaboration, Transparency, Active Listening
- Service Leadership: Empowerment, Guidance, Support
- Humility: Open-Mindedness, Learning, Growth
- Authenticity: Genuine, Sincerity, Integrity
- Wellness: Holistic, Self-Care, Balance
