Center for Early Relationship Support^®

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.

Center for Early Relationship Support

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

These three principles align with science and research from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

Alongside our services for families, CERS uses our experience and expertise to provide training, consultation, and professional development opportunities through the Infant-Parent Training Institute for those working in infant and maternal mental health.

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 virtual groups as well. Please click on specific links below for details.

Services for Parents and Families

Adoption Resources

Support and services for those pursuing adoption.

Home Visiting for New Parents

Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® program matches experienced moms with new parents for support and connection during their baby’s first year.

Parent and Parent-Child Therapy

Early Connections/Conexiones Tempranas provides therapeutic interventions for young children and parents impacted by trauma, postpartum depression or anxiety, perinatal mood disorders, and related stressors.

Parent Consultation

Expert information, guidance, and resources for parenting young children.

Parent Support Groups

Weekly meetings for parents of babies under one year old to find support and community.

Support for Premature/Medically Fragile Infants

The Oliver, Ian, and Serenity Wolk Fragile Beginnings program offers hospital, home, and phone-based support for families with a child who has spent time in the NICU.

Support for Substance Exposed Newborns

Project NESST® supports families parenting a substance exposed newborn and/or parents in recovery from substance use.

Young Parent Support

Healthy Families Central Middlesex provides home visits and group support for pregnant and first time parents 20 years old and under.

Services for Professionals: Infant-Parent Training Institute

Infant Mental Health Fellowship

Intensive, two-year, post-graduate certificate program encompassing coursework, clinical practice, and supervision to build expertise in infant mental health and attachment.

Infant Observation and Courses

Post-graduate courses on infant and maternal mental health and other issues impacting infants and parents, including the year-long Infant Observation course.

Master Classes

Professional development seminars for clinicians and others working with infants and parents on a range of topics facing families and young children.

Professional Training, Consultation, and Supervision

Training and support to integrate knowledge and practice and meet the needs of professionals and public and private organizations working with infants, young children, and families.

All CERS and IPTI services are non-sectarian and open to all in the community. Please let us know if you require any accommodations to participate.

Support CERS

Interested in supporting CERS and our work with families? Learn more about becoming a Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® volunteer or donating baby and children’s clothing and equipment.

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.

This program is funded in part by CJP.