G.E.A.R. Parent Network (Gaining Empowerment Allows Results) is an independent program of KBH run by parents for parents, providing services for parents of children with mental or behavioral health concerns in Maine. Learn more about G.E.A.R. here: gearparentnetwork.org.
Program Location(s):
We are a statewide family support program and all staff work from their home offices that are located across the state of Maine.
Accepting Referrals?:
Yes. Call 1-800-264-9224 or to Diane Bouffard Team Leader directly at 207-649-1626, and she will complete the referral form and then contacts the parent. Support can start that day or family voice and choice – when parent wishes.
Eligibility Requirements:
Parents/caregivers of youth, ages 3-21, with emotional and behavioral health concerns can access any of our community supports such as intermittent phone/email support; meeting in the community to review documents in preparation of a meeting; attend weekly support groups, family social events and educational workshops. To receive 1:1 family peer specialist, long-term, in-home support, mentoring, and coaching, the child/youth must be living at home or returning in next 30 days from out of home placement, have a mental health diagnosis and currently be involved in two or more child serving systems or services.
Key Program Staff:
Diane Bouffard, Team Leader and Regional Parent Support Coordinator, covering Kennebec, Somerset and Franklin counties; Shannan King, Regional Parent Support Coordinator covering Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, Waldo and Knox counties; Heather Williams, Regional Parent Support Coordinator covering Androscoggin, Oxford, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and York counties. Family Peer Specialists: Robert Boulier, Sue Gagne, and Jamie Story.
Program Success Story:
“I was assigned a single mom with a 14 year old daughter who had not gone to school in two years and had not even left her bedroom. Over several visits to their home, I was slowly able to engage the youth in conversation and the youth began to share the reasons for this. She shared that she was being bullied at school creating fear, depression and extreme anxiety with even the thought of attending school so she gave up and totally isolated herself. With much encouragement, coaching and role modeling and with me offering lessons learned from my own lived experience, I then gained the youth’s trust.
Mom and I began to see baby steps – she first agreed to come out of her bedroom and then just outside of her home. Later we began going on short trips into the community and later she agreed to get her mental health needs addressed. I then supported mom and the school on how to engage the youth and also supported the youth in advocating and communicating her concerns to them. The youth agreed to slowly transition back to school – first with tutoring and later successfully back into the regular school setting.”
Program Contact for Questions?:
Cindy Seekins, Director of GEAR
cseekins@kbhmaine.org
Extension 2433
Cell: 207-441-7216
Fun Facts:
The GEAR Team has a combined 181 years of lived experience raising children with emotional and behavioral health concerns!
Individually –
Sue Gagne: 35 years
Diane Bouffard: 30 years
Shannan King: 23 years
Robert Boulier: 22 years
Heather Williams: 10 years
Jamie Story: 21 years
Cindy Seekins: 40 years
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In 2013 Cindy and Diane were the first family peer specialist staff in Maine to have earned their National CFPS credentials as Family Peers through the National Federation of Families Certification Commission of Family Peers.
If you are a parent or caregiver of children with mental or behavioral health concerns in Maine, reach out to G.E.A.R. today or learn more about our other programs.
