Family Matters – a project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the
Greater Helena Area.
This resource list is a service of Family Matters, an early childhood family resource center.
Call or email for more information.
Family Matters at the Ray Bjork Learning Center
1600 8th Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601
324-2930
eccfamilymatters@gmail.com
Disclaimer
Family Matters is not recommending any agency or provider. Please use your judgment when selecting a
provider. Please check costs and hours with the agency or provider before using services as these
frequently change. We hope this resource list will be helpful to you. Information on providers and other
resources that parents, students, agencies and volunteers have found helpful was used to make the list.
Please let Family Matters know if any of this information has changed
or if you know of a helpful resource!
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Parenting Classes and Support Groups
AWARE
No formal classes. Offer in-home support services. Schedules variable. Medicaid covers cost.
For more information on services:
Trista Burke
(406)951-2603
Catholic Social Services
Individual classes for pregnant women and parents. Individualized. No cost.
For more information on services:
Rosemary Miller
(406)442-4130
Child Care Partnerships
Parenting classes are designed to fit the group taking the class. Each class is 2 hours with 5 to 6
sessions. Cost: $2 per couple. Child Care: Provided. $1 per child.
For more information:
Brandi Thomas
(406)443-6408
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
1
A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13
Florence Crittenton Community Outreach Center
A menu of parenting classes and support groups are offered to Helena area families and pregnant
women.
Loving Your Baby from the Inside Out
Educational and support group for pregnant teens. Meets year around, weekly. Classes are each
1.5 hours. Snacks provided. No cost.
STRIVE
Educational and support group for teen parents. Meets year around, weekly. Each class is 1 ½
hr. Total of 25 sessions. Participants receive $10 for each session attended and $100 upon
completion of 25 week series. Snacks provided. No cost.
Circle of Security
The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention couse designed to enhance
attachment security between parents and children. Decades of research have confirmed that
secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents
and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased
capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure.
This parent-child relationship training is useful for any parent but is especially geared to parents
of infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. This is an 8 session course, running for 8 weeks
consecutively. Snacks provided. No cost. Childcare is offered for some of the courses. Check
to find out if child care is being offered and for the dates of the next course – courses are offered
throughout the year.
Circle of Security – offered on an individual basis
Circle of Security is offered individually for parents wanting in-depth and individual help with
parenting. Licensed mental health therapists use the Circle of Security individually with the
parent and child. Most health insurances are accepted as is private pay.
Love and Logic
Love and Logic provides simple solutions and practical techniques to help parents with kids of all
ages:
 Raise responsible kids
 Have more fun in their parenting role
 Help their children change their behavior
This is a six session course. Snacks provided. No cost, though manual purchase is optional $10. Childcare is offered for some of the courses. Check to find out if child care is being offered
and for the dates of the next course – courses are offered throughout the year.
For more information on any of the classes or groups or to register for a class or group:
Florence Crittenton Community Outreach Center
901 North Harris
Helena, MT 59601
406-442-6950 ext. 254
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
2
A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13
Helena Family Fun
Helena Family Fun is a group of parents and their children who like to have fun together, be
supportive of each other and plan community service projects to benefit the Helena area
community. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome to join. There is a $20 yearly fee
but it can be reduced or waived.
For more information or to join:
Go to the website: www.helenafamilyfun.com
Intermountain
Circle of Security
The Circle of Security is a relationship-based course designed to improve a child’s sense of
security within the family, which research has shown leads to better self-esteem, better
relationships, enhanced school readiness, and improved ability to cope with emotions. The course
is regularly scheduled. This is an 8 session course, running for 8 weeks consecutively. No child
care provided. Cost: $200. Medicaid and many other insurances cover the cost. Offered 4 times
per year. Call to get on a waiting list.
In-Home Parenting Education and Support
Individualized parenting instruction and help. Call to learn more. Intermountain accepts
Medicaid and other health insurances.
For more information or to register for a class:
Denni Byrd
406-457-4810
Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department
Year Round Parenting from the Heart Parent Group
The parent support group meets year around on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 under the guidance of a
professionally trained facilitator. Free child care is provided. The support group is free and open
to all parents in the Helena area. The focus is on families with children under age 8, but parents
of older children are also welcome.
For more information call:
Greg Daly
406-457-8922
Circle of Security
The Circle of Security is a relationship-based course designed to improve a child’s sense of
security within the family, which research has shown leads to better self-esteem, better
relationships, enhanced school readiness, and improved ability to cope with emotions. The course
is regularly scheduled. It consists of a two hour class with 8 to 10 sessions. It is facilitated by
Greg Daly and Cheryl Ronich, LCSW, a private therapist. The classes and are free and open to
all parents in the Helena area. The focus is on families with children under age 8, but parents of
older children are also welcome. Free child care is provided.
For more information call:
Greg Daly
406-457-8922
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
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A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13
Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers is an individualized education and support program for pregnant women and
families with children up to the age of 3. Registered nurses and family support specialists
provide support and information on many topics of interest to pregnant women and families with
children up to age 3. They do developmental, vision, and hearing screening as well as teach
parents activities designed to help the child develop to his or her capacity. Parents as Teachers is
provided in the family home or other comfortable setting.
Parents as Teachers is available to Lewis and Clark County residents. No cost to Lewis and Clark
County residents.
For more information call 457-8912 and ask for the Healthy Families program or a home visitor.
Healthy Families
Healthy Families is an individualized parent education and support program for pregnant women
and families with children from newborn to age 5. Registered nurses and family support
specialists provide information on topics such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, children’s nutritional
needs, infant sleep issues, potty training, and behavior. They can also steer families to
community resources such as food, housing, employment, and health care. Parents can decide to
have the services provided in their home, at the nurse’s office, or another comfortable setting.
Healthy Families is available to pregnant women and families with children up to the age of 5.
No cost to Lewis and Clark County residents.
For more information:
Call 457-8912 and ask for the Healthy Families program or a home visitor.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
There are two MOPS groups in Helena.
Hannaford Bible Church, 830 N. Hannaford, Helena
No specific classes but have a support group twice per month, show DVDs and have speakers.
Meet on 1st and 3rd Wed. Sept. through May from 9 to 11. Child Care available. Usually have a
pot luck at each meeting. Members sign up to bring food though no one is required to bring food.
Cost: $23.95 national dues plus $5.00 per session. Scholarships available, no one turned away.
For more information:
Call Wendy 406-442-9381 or Melanie 406-442-2873 or visit website:
www.hannaford.org/adults.php#woman
Helena Alliance Church MOPS, 1400 Stuart Street, Helena
Meetings are 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 9am to 11 am September through May. Child Care is
available. Meetings include food and a creative activity, community service, or guest speaker
followed by small group discussion and prayer.
Cost: $23.95 per semester plus $6 per session.
For more information call Amy Mettes at 406-850-4634 or visit website:
www.helenaalliance.org/MOPS.html
Options Women’s Clinic
Individual parenting classes. Curriculum is through the Heritage house. Options offers both
prenatal and early infancy through adolescence classes. Incentive based program: If clients bring
back homework they earn baby bucks to use in the baby boutique.
Classes are 30 minutes to an hour. No child care but parents may bring their children. No cost.
For more information:
Call Jolene Dobyns
406-422-1011
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
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A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13
Parenting with Love and Logic
Jannice Odermann offers Parenting with Love and Logic. This class is geared toward toddler
through teen age years. Classes are 2 hours each, with 6 to 8 sessions. If you or your
organization would like to offer Love and Logic, contact Jannice to arrange a contract for her
services and a time.
To learn more, call:
Jannice Odermann
406-459-4479
Planned Parenthood
Donna Miller of Planned Parenthood offers several workshops for parents and for parents and
pre-teens. Donna has 25 years experience teaching parents and preteens.
Body Awareness and Safety Talk. This 2 hour workshop helps parents learn how to protect our
most vulnerable, precious resource, “Our Children”. It is designed to assist parents in promoting
self-esteem in young children ages 3-8 years of age by teaching them about how unique and
wonderful their bodies are as well as the importance of privacy. From the moment of birth,
children begin to learn about love, touch and relationships. Their experiences, impressions and
observations form the foundation of their future sexual attitudes and decisions. Parents receive
accurate, age-appropriate information about the questions children ask. Information on how to
keep your child safe from molestation is also presented. These workshops are offered for one or
both parents and grandparents.
To get information about cost, date of the next workshop, and to sign-up for a workshop, contact:
Donna Miller 422-1248 donna.miller@ppmontana.org
Growing Up Workshop
It can be a challenge talking to your preteen (11-13 year old) about the many physical and
emotional changes associated with reaching puberty. Parents and their preteen girl or boy are
invited to a four-week workshop that addresses physical and emotional aspects of puberty,
relationships/peer pressure as well as risk factors for teen pregnancy and sexual
harassment/abuse. This is a four week workshop ( 1 night per week). The first session is for
parents only. Get a group of your friends and host a party. The cost is $40 but is free for the
host. Arrangements can be made for a lower tuition if a parent can’t afford the class.
To get information about hosting a workshop or to find out when the next workshop is scheduled,
contact: Donna Miller 422-1248 donna.miller@ppmontana.org
Darkness to Light.
This three hour workshop for childcare providers provides information on child sexual abuse.
ChildCare Partnerships and Donna Miller partnered to present this class. Cost is $10 per person.
In 2014, Child Care Partnerships has scheduled classes for February 1, March 1, and May 3.
To get information, contact:
Donna Miller
422-1248
donna.miller@ppmontana.org
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
5
A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13
Youth Connections
Youth Connections provides parents with tools and information through the Youth Connections
magazine, parenting series, media campaigns and public forums. Youth Connections is a
coalition of parents, educators, youth-serving organizations, church and business leaders. YC
members work to make Helena a healthy and supportive place for kids and families. YC was
funded by the Safe Schools Healthy Students grant through the Helena School District. They
provide a Parenting Series that provides information for parents on a variety of topics. The
Parenting Series is held at Lattes & Sundaes, 503 Fuller.
The schedule for winter/spring 2014:
January 13
What Motivates Your Child?
February 10
Setting and Maintaing Expectations
March 10
Parental Controls and Parents Taking Control
To learn more about the Parenting Series contact Tracy Moseman at 324-1038
tmoseman@helena.k12.mt.us or visit the website: www.youthconnectionscoalition.org
If you find that any of these resources are incorrect or outdated or would like to add
a resource to this list, PLEASE let us know by e-mailing us at …….. or calling us at
………., your input is very valuable!
Please let Family Matters know if any of this information has changed
or if you know of a helpful resource!
Family Matters phone: 324-2930
Family Matters email: eccfamilymatters@gmail.com
Parenting Classes and Support Groups
Family Matters
6
A Project of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area
12/1/13