{"id":5044,"date":"2025-10-31T11:12:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/?p=5044"},"modified":"2025-10-31T13:59:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T17:59:40","slug":"maine-families-newsletter-fall-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/2025\/10\/31\/maine-families-newsletter-fall-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Families Newsletter, Fall 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id5044_97400f-4e alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column5044_87f900-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column5044_87f900-5b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"family-visitors\">Welcome New Family Visitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We are excited to welcome two new family visitors to our team. Ray and Kelsey joined us this summer and have started to enroll new families to help us meet the growing needs of our community. Referrals are welcome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ray Lightheart<\/h4>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image5044_69e0d7-31 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image5044_69e0d7-31\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ray Lightheart\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-5049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-105x105.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-317x317.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-423x423.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-634x634.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-846x846.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-951x951.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Ray-Lightheart-Photo.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ray has spent 15+ years supporting young children and families as a teacher, childcare provider, and parent. With a background in early childhood education and experience running a licensed family daycare, they understand both the joys and challenges of raising little ones. Ray brings warmth, compassion, and a deep respect for parents\u2019 knowledge of their child(ren) to their role as a Family Visitor with Maine Families. When not working with families, Ray loves being outdoors\u2014taking nature walks, camping, and swimming\u2014as well as enjoying creative hobbies like knitting, sewing, and needle felting. They also delight in treasure hunting at thrift stores and antique shops, traveling to new places, and reading to explore new ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact Ray by email <a href=\"mailto:ray.lightheart@maine.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ray.lightheart@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kelsey Snapp, LCSW<\/h4>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image5044_97374e-b7 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image5044_97374e-b7\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo-260x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kelsey Snapp\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-5050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo-105x121.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo-317x365.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo-423x488.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Kelsey-Snapp-Photo.jpg 485w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,260px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Kelsey is a lifelong Mainer who always dreamed of raising children in the best state to grow up, and is now doing just that in the Sagadahoc area with her son and daughter. Kelsey is an MSW who has always worked with children and families in various capacities; in home, in school, and through early intervention. She loves seeing families grow and change. In her free time Kelsey loves to bake, binge Netflix, read mystery novels, and go for walks outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact Kelsey by email <a href=\"mailto:kelsey.snapp@maine.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kelsey.snapp@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"activity-spotlight\">Activity Spotlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Touch Textures (8-14 months)<\/h4>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image5044_788083-31 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image5044_788083-31\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"baby exploring texture activity\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-5048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-634x845.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-846x1128.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25-951x1268.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/CZ-Electronic-Release-10_25.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This activity helps children focus on using their pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) when they pick up small objects. Supplying various objects to explore lets children notice small differences between objects using their sense of sight and touch. Repetition helps connect what the child is feeling to their memory bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"group-connections\">Ongoing Group Connections in the Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This summer staff visited new community sites in Knox County and discovered the Camden Clubhouse, a sensory play space geared toward families with children birth to age six. Our team partnered with the Clubhouse to plan monthly group connections for our enrolled families. September was the first group held at the Clubhouse and feedback from families was very positive.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image5044_7833d8-bb .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image5044_7833d8-bb\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"adult and youth in ball pit\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-5051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-276x300.jpg 276w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-942x1024.jpg 942w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-768x835.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-105x114.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-317x344.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-423x460.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-634x689.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-846x919.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release-951x1033.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/Rumpus-Room-Paper-Release.jpg 1143w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,276px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We are back at the Rumpus Room in Brunswick and had our&nbsp;first group in October. We are pleased to once again partner with Families CAN! prevention council who will attend our monthly group connections in Brunswick to connect with families and share upcoming events and classes such as the community baby shower.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7{background-color:rgba(142,209,252,0.3);}.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id5044_a5f45b-b7 alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column5044_2d1b37-9b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>For more information or questions, contact either Co-Editor: Jen Doherty, at email<br>&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:jennifer.d.doherty@maine.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jennifer.d.doherty@maine.edu<\/a>&nbsp;or call 207.832.0343.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome New Family Visitors We are excited to welcome two new family visitors to our team. Ray and Kelsey joined us this summer and have started to enroll new families to help us meet the growing needs of our community. Referrals are welcome! Ray Lightheart Ray has spent 15+ years supporting young children and families [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","spc_primary_category":0},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":28,"label":"News"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"msnowden","author_link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/author\/msnowden\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":28,"name":"News","slug":"news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":28,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":13,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":28,"category_count":13,"category_description":"","cat_name":"News","category_nicename":"news","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5044"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5068,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5044\/revisions\/5068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/parenting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}