2021 KFC Annual Report : simplebooklet.com

Introduction things do not define our community or theKids First Center. The pandemic createdadditional obstacles in 2021, but life and theagency moved on as it must. We could havelet the pandemic define us or we coulddefine ourselves, and we chose the latter.The rebranding concept from 2020 becamea reality in 2021. The agency is now known asThe Kids First Center for Co-ParentEducation and Family Resilience to betterdescribe who we are and what we do. Withthe new descriptor came a new look thatincludes our logo and website, which offersall visitors to the Kids First Center a betterexperience as they navigate the tricky andforeign world of co-parenting. Our goal hasalways been for all who seek information,whether in-person or virtually, to find a In considering mymessage for the 2021Annual Report,images of isolation,masks, vaccines, andboosters come tomind. But those safe and welcoming place to learn, explore,and be challenged. Building resilience inparents and children who are experiencing adivorce and/or separation disruption is atthe core of all of Kids First programming. It iswith this in mind that we added "resilience"to our name.Resilience building comes in many forms.Parents learn in the First Step program thatinvesting in self-care is a primary method ofadapting to the often unexpected andunwanted change in relationship status.While such an investment is helpful to theindividual parents, the long-termbeneficiaries of self-care are the childrenand the community. Similarly, in 2021 theKids First Center invested in itself so that itcan deliver the best possible co-parentingeducation products to parents and familiesin Maine and beyond. This investmentincluded not only the reimagination of thewebsite and logo, but also a new automatedregistration system, and increased digitalcommunication with program participants.

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Additional enhancements are slated for2022. The Kids First Center is now fullyadapted to delivering its programs andmessages to parents everywhere who canaccess the internet on their phones, tablets,laptops and desktops.Having served for years as a facilitator ofICOPE when it was an "in-person" program, Iam all too aware that while much is gainedfrom remote learning, something is also lost.2021 was to be the year that Kids First onceagain invited parents to ourclassroom/studio in Scarborough andreintroduce live presentations. Healthconsiderations did not allow that to happen,but I look forward to the day in 2022 whenparents can gather, share, and learn from oneanother without needing a screen. Our goalfor the future was to deliver Kids Firstcontent in as many ways as possible so thatwe can reach every family that needs us. Theefforts of so many in 2021 made this goal areality immediately.I am proud of what the Kids First Center hasaccomplished in 2021 and we are fullyprepared to finally emerge from thepandemic more resilient than ever. I wouldbe remiss in not recognizing the tirelessefforts of the staff - Aniela Barr, Mary Swannand Emily Wasserman - and the support andguidance of the Board of Directors led by itspresident, Susan Wiggin. Our programfacilitators are the best. Thank you all and Ilook forward to a more normal 2022 -however that is defined!Peace, Timothy E. Robbins, Esq.Executive DirectorI have beenassociated with theKids First Centersince I was abachelor of socialwork intern in 1998.Kids First was in itsinfancy but it wasalready a strong and mighty force for leading the way in its wellconceived, well researched and wellexecuted programs. We also led the way inbringing the best continuing education forprofessionals working with familiesexperiencing divorce to Maine so that wecan help ensure those who are servingfamilies are well prepared to do so. We wereinnovative in creating and maintainingrelationships across professions andhonoring the multiple disciplines associatedwhen working with families going throughone of the most challenging transitions. Iremember marveling at the integrity, skill,intelligence and humor of all who helpedmake the vision of the Kids First Center areality. Twenty plus years later I continue to admireand honor the incredible gifts they shared tohelp literally thousands of Maine families. Iam as excited and passionate about ourmission and values today as I was as a youngsocial worker. Now, as one of the leaders ofour efforts, I am focused and intentional inkeeping our institutional knowledge andmemory alive and intact and at the sametime looking to our future.I believe deeply that Kids First has not yetrealized her full potential. The strength,caliber and immediate impact ourcontinuum of care provides to parents whenthey need it most without any barrier toservice is something to be very proud of.And yet we know that many more couldbenefit from engaging with our classes and

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workshops. We offer real, hands on andeasily understandable skill building. I am stillexcited every time I have the privilege offacilitating our classes and groups. It is oneof the most deeply gratifying experiences tohelp parents in acute pain, feelingcompletely overwhelmed, trapped, scaredand depleted to start to make small andimmediate shifts that make a HUGEdifference. When I see parents’ shoulders upto their ears, clenched fists on their laps,tense jaw lines and guarded introductions ofthemselves, I think to myself “Here we go!Change, relief, transformation, hope, laughter,kindness, conciliation and freedom are allpossible and will be experienced by most ofthe parents we serve.” This, in turn, makes a direct impact on theirchildren and an indirect yet powerful impacton student learning, on stability, resilienceand growth into functioning citizensthemselves.We are peacekeepers here and we areproud of the contributions we make to helpimprove families, schools, communities andworkplaces. Separation and divorce cannegatively impact every single area of ourlives. Our focus is on helping to shift fromthe negative consequences to the positivehealing and possibilities for families andcommunities.I must shine a light on our exceptionalExecutive Director, Tim Robbins. I haveknown Tim for a very long time. I have alwaysknown him to be extremely bright, caring,resourceful, funny, responsible, dedicatedand results oriented. I knew he would be thebest choice to lead Kids First to our nextlevels of impact but I had no idea how goodhe would be. Tim’s vision, skill sets, artist’seye, steady leadership and absolutecommitment to doing what is right inspireand impress me daily. Likewise, our team ofdedicated staff members, skilled facilitators, and passionate board members who roll uptheir sleeves to do the work necessary tokeep our agency buoyant are all the reasonsI sign up for anything and everything I canpossibly do for this agency I love. Here’s to20+ years and here’s to 20+ more!Yours in gratitude and service,Susan Wiggin, MSW, President of the Board

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MissionPurposeGive children a neutral place wherethey can freely express their feelingsabout the separation or divorce oftheir parents and better understandthe changes in their familiesEquip parents with the skills theyneed to work together to raisehealthy and well-adjusted childrenthrough the transition of separationand divorce, and beyondProvide resources, continuingeducation, and collaborationopportunities for professionals whowork with separating families1998Kids Firstincorporated inOur Story The Kids First Center is a safe place formoms and dads to learn how topeacefully co-parent and how to keepchildren from the middle of adultdisputes. Raising healthy, happy, andwell-adjusted children is possible evenwhen parents are not together.Through educational programming forparents, children and allies, the Kids FirstCenter strives to support families duringdifficult transitions and teach resilienceskills that last a lifetime.

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Impactthat we are making our daughter a lifewith two homes, not two separate livesthat saying "co-parent" instead of "ex" isimportant. Words matter.that there is value in a regularlyscheduled co-parenting phone call, andhow to actually try itthat even though I feel like I'm doing a lotof things right, I still can see where I'vegone wrong in some situationsWHAT PARENTS HAVE TO SAYwhen asked "what was the mostsignificant thing you learnedfrom this program?"that using the kids as messengers isunfair to themthat showing my negative feelings aboutmy co-parent in front of the kids isunhealthy for themthat I can only control my own behaviorand what happens in my home, not myco-parent'sthat it's not about the schedule, it'sabout what works best for the kids. Beflexible if you can!that it's not "your time" with the children;it's "their time" with you!that observing their parentscommunicating respectfully is veryimportant for our children's mentalhealth programs offered program participants counties served53144216+

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rebranded logo to be known as Kids First Center for Co-Parent Educationand Family Resiliencelaunched new website to better serve families, children and alliesKids First for Kids support groups brought onlineFirst Step program made available in American Sign Languagehosted professional conference, "Substance Use, Misuse and Abuse:Contemporary Challenges for Family Court"added part-timer Program Assistant to support growing enrollmentsponsored and exhibited at the Maine School Counselor Associationconferencecontinued significant "back-of-the-house" software upgrades including CRMand credit card processingHIGHLIGHTS

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Did we consistently offer high quality educationalprogramming to parents, children and allies at areasonable fee? Yes.Did we continue to make financial assistance available toanyone who requested it? Yes.Did we allocate resources appropriately to meet theincreased technology needs of online programming? Yes.Did we compensate for the prohibition of in-personspecial event fundraising with online alternatives and availourselves of all applicable emergency funding grants asthey became available? Yes.Did we protect our staff by pursuing all PaycheckProtection Program dollars available? Yes.Did we balance our budget? Yes. When all the data is in and the numbers have beencrunched, at the end of the day it comes down tothis; did we fulfill our mission and were we fiscallyresponsible while doing so, despite the ongoingchallenges faced by the pandemic?our annual budget$431,277provided this muchfinancial assistancenumber of participantsturned away due toinability to pay fees0REVENUE 2021 EXPENSES 2021 >$9,000FinancesWorkshop Fees35.5%Other Grants19.8%PPP19%Access & Visitation Grant8.7%Annual Conference6.2%Donations10.8%Personnel48.5%Office16%Outside Services13.3%Program Expenses13.2%Administrative9%

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The Next Step Program: PuttingConflict AsideThis is a four-week program building onthe concepts taught in the introductoryFirst Step class, focusing on co-parentingskill-building, managing conflict, andimproving communication. Co-parentingpartners may attend together, though it isnot required.2Kids First Program: The FirstStepThe First Step is the initial four-hourprogram providing an understand of co-parenting best practices, theseparation/divorce process, and how tohelp children experiencing parentalseparation and conflict. Parents shouldattend as early in the separation ordivorce process as possible or at anytime when struggling to work with theirchildren's other parent.1EducationalProgramming For Parents, Kids & Allies

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5 6Kids First for Parents with NewPartnersThis four-hour workshop outlineschallenges faced in parenting and co-parenting when new partners areintroduced into the family. The impact ofa new relationship on family systems isdiscussed, along with strategies formaking this transition successful forchildren and to enhance the family.Intensive Co-ParentingEducation (ICOPE)This nine-week program for parents isdesigned to build co-parenting skills forparents who are in high-conflictsituations or, alternatively, have little or noeffective communication. Conflictresolution is about changing behaviorsand actions, and not about changingfeelings. Parents must attend togetherand be court ordered to this program.Kids First Program for WomenThis is a six-hour workshop designed forparents who identify as female who haveleft relationships where intimate partnerabuse or domestic violence is present.This program provides information aboutparenting under these circumstances,about abuse, safety planning andcommunity resources.Kids First for Kids! RemoteEngaging and interactive resilience-building groups for school-aged kidswhose families are experiencing aseparation, divorce or step-familysituation. Groups meet online after schoolonce/week for three weeks.43

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We thank you for yourongoing support ofour programsDONORSAmazonSmileCushman & Maureen AnthonyCheryl Brandt & John AromandoJonathan AsenLora BabbKaren & Phillip BadgerTodd BarkerAl BarthelmanEllen Trout BennettGraham BlythBonfire Shirt SalesCornerstone Financial PlanningBrody CousineauEduardo DaranjiJohn DavisTerri DeCosterDell TechnologiesJeffrey & Denise DicksonSally M. DonelsonMark EschenbrennerRobyn GrayZeki GurcanJennifer HarnishSusan HunterIntermedHelen KaneKimberly KapothanasisAllan LabosDaniel Marra & Barbara LeonardLeonardo's PizzaVilean Taggersell & Robert LevineJeffrey LevyNancy Kaynor & Chris LibbyPeg LibbyCameron LinenHarry Noel & Susan LivingstonSandra & Brian LivingstonMarjorie McAvoyChris & Steve McDuffieSusan McEvoyJohn & Livy MoreNetwork for GoodJeffrey & Irene OldfieldHarold & Peggy OsherPatriot Subaru of Saco, Inc.Lauren PotvinMrs. Barbara Powers & Hon. Keith PowersAngelika RobbinsGigi SanchezMaxine Sclar & Bob YamartinoKenneth Spirer & Joan LeitzerSandra Stone

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SPONSORSAndrucki & KingBaker Newman NoyesBiddeford SavingsChild-Centered SolutionsHolmes Legal Group, LLCIrwin & Morris, PASarah Mitchell, Esq.Our Family WizardRoach Ruprecht Sanchez & Bischoff, PCScheffee LawSoberlinkTown & Country Federal Credit UnionVerrillLaw & Mediation Office of David C. Webb DONORS cont.Elizabeth StoutTIAAChelsea TorreyPamela Trudo & John LeemingTrue North Networks, Inc.Unum Matching GiftsErik Van BetuwWilliam WardPatricia Furlong WassermanBreda & David WhiteJessica YelvertonGRANTORSAmerican Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers FoundationThe Beim FoundationFrances Hollis Brain FoundationMargaret E. Burnham Charitable TrustSam L. Cohen FoundationSadie & Harry Davis FoundationRobert & Dorothy Goldberg Charitable FoundationAgnes M. Lindsay TrustMaine Community Foundation/ Palmer Family FundMaine Community Foundation/ Rines Thompson FundMorse Hill TrustPortland Provident AssociationRBC Foundation - USAThe Smith Family Charitable TrustVirginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation, Inc.United Way of York County

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Acknowledgments STAFFTimothy E. Robbins, Executive DirectorAniela Barr, Program CoordinatorMary Swann, Special Projects ManagerEmily Wasserman, Program AssistantPROGRAM FACILITATORSKaren Brown MacDonaldLisa ChmeleckiAlicia CushingTerri DeCosterChristopher LeddyJeffrey LevyBetsy Van BetuwPamela WaiteDavid WebbSusan WigginSteve YoungBOARDSusan Wiggin, PresidentJennifer Davis, vice PresidentSteve Young, TreasurerMeghan B. Ginzer, SecretaryDavid S. AbramsonJennifer HarnishMarjorie McAvoyGretchen A. PiankaGeraldine G. SanchezNeil S. ShankmanChelsea TorreyADVISORY BOARDCushman D. AnthonyMichael P. AsenAlan F. BarthelmanPhyllis G. GivertzHon. Andrew M. HortonNeil D. Jameison, Jr.G.M. (Bucky) JohnsonShelley Cohen KonradSusan H. Livingston

2021 KFC Annual Report

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