Since 1989, the Center for Early Relationship Support (CERS) has been promoting the earliest parent-child relationships by supporting parents as they manage the challenges of caring for their baby. The birth of a new baby is often a time of joy and excitement, but is a big transition that can also bring worry, exhaustion, anxiety, stress, and postpartum depression.

Our home and community-based services:

• Help parents build responsive relationships with their child
• Reduce sources of stress in the family
• Strengthen core life skills that help individuals plan, regulate emotions, and develop greater self-awareness

CERS is now offering in-person services. Phone and virtual visits are still an option as well.

We have five parent support groups that are meeting in-person and ongoing virutal groups as well. Please click on specific links below for details.

Services for Parents and Families

Support Groups & Workshops

We provide a variety of services constructed around the idea that fostering a strong early connection between parents and their children is the key to successful lifelong familial relationships. Through drop-in support groups and parenting workshops, we offer you any kind of guidance and support you desire while growing the meaningful relationship between you and your child.

Home Visits

Our home visit programs include Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® who will support you as your infant grows, and Healthy Families, which supports young parents under 25 with the parenting challenges they may face. We come to you wherever you are, physically and emotionally.

Parent-Child Therapy

Therapy for families with infants or toddlers born prematurely, exposed to substances, or who have experienced trauma.

Parent Consultations

Consultations to help address a variety of parenting challenges.

Adoption Resources

The resources and support you need to navigate every step of your adoption journey.

"I gained a new, deeper perspective on leadership as I came to know our social worker, Betsy. Every day, she guides birth mothers, adoptive parents, and children through emotionally intense, legally complicated, life-changing moments—making sure vulnerable people are taken care of. Betsy has been connecting families and children for 40 years. It’s her life’s work and it’s hard work. She’s not trying to do well by doing good. She’s just doing good."

- A client helped with adoption

Services for Professionals

Training for Early Childhood Professionals

The Infant-Parenting Training Institute offers rich learning opportunities about infant health for mental health and allied health professionals from various disciplines. IPTI is the leading institution in New England offering integrated clinical and theoretical training in infant mental health through courses, speaker series, and an infant observation program.

Volunteer with CERS

Interested in supporting CERS and our work with families? Learn more about becoming a Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® volunteer.

For more information, email us at CERSintake@jfcsboston.org or call 781-693-1200. You can also email your questions via our contact us page.