Are you now, or are you about to be, a first-time parent? Do you have questions or concerns about this wonderful, life-altering process you are about to enter?

If you do, a new organization is available to help you.

Parents are Teachers, Too, or PATT for short, is a free, home-visiting program sponsored by Penquis CAP that is available to everyone, regardless of income level.

In fact, it is the hope of PATT staff members that every first-time parent who seeks advice will feel free to contact the agency.

Sheri Smith is the supervisor of PATT. In a telephone interview, Smith said that the purpose of the program is to provide first-time parents with “encouragement, support and information about what to expect through pregnancy and childbirth.

“[It also] helps them prepare for the baby and, once the baby is here, helps show them how to care for baby, how to make sure that the environment is safe, and how to interact with the baby.”

First-time parents can enroll in the program during pregnancy or up until the child is 3 months old. They may continue with the program until the child is five years old.

Parents choose the frequency of home visits and receive information based on their specific interests and needs.

Smith said the program, which is new to Penobscot County, has been operating very successfully in Waldo County for 12 years.

“What we are here for is to help first-time parents find support for themselves, help them recognize what their needs may be and how to get them met.”

Smith said the agency has “a wonderful supply of resources available,” including literature, videos and books.

“We have things we will be giving them that they can keep, and we also have some things available through a lending library.”

Smith stressed that “what is a little different about this program is that we are trying to reach all families, regardless of income, and that’s a new shift for us.

“Those early years are so critical” because learning about “good nutrition, health, prenatal and interactive practices” helps prevent later learning problems, she said.

PATT is an individual program, and one of the pieces that Smith is most excited about “is that the parents choose how they would like to participate,” she said.

“If they want visits weekly, for example, or monthly or quarterly, we can do that, too. And we can be flexible and start one way and do it a different way later.”

She said some parents may only want to borrow something from the lending library but, if a mother is “struggling with breast-feeding and needs support, we’ll be there.” Smith believes a program of this type is “so needed in this area, which is why we are trying to get the word out that it is available. “We just want them to call.

“We’ve very open to just sharing information, and there is no obligation.”

Although PATT is a program for first-time parents only, “since we serve them until the child is 5, if another baby arrives in that time, then we’ll still be there,” Smith said.

The possibility of forming groups is also an option, based on the interest of those in the program, Smith said.

“Whatever patterns we’re seeing, then that’s when we’ll do a group session, or we may do some just to develop play groups so families are connecting with other families.”

Smith said PATT strongly promotes the belief “that they [the parents] are the expert, and that we’re just there to help them find the information they need.”

PATT should be embraced with welcoming arms by all first-time parents who feel they need the support this new organization offers.

If you are interested in learning more about PATT, call 973-3576.

Laurel Butler of Bangor, manager of Epi Sub Pizza has a new name: Mrs. Santa Claus.

Butler has been selling her homemade, hand-decorated gingerbread houses for $25 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Bangor Humane Society.

The 10-inch square confectionery delights can be purchased now through the holiday at Epi’s, 128 Main St. in Bangor.

Speaking of the Bangor Humane Society – which shelters, cares for and helps adopt out more than 5,000 homeless pets each year – you can give that organization an additional gift this holiday season by becoming a Charter Member.

A private, nonprofit organization serving our community since 1869, BHS not only cares for stray animals, but also takes in pets whose owners can no longer care for them.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Bev Uhlenhake, BHS recently launched its “Charter Member and Best Friend of the Bangor Humane Society” campaign to help provide stability for the organization.

Suggested Individual membership giving levels are $25 per person, $50 for a Family, $100 and up to become a Supporter and $500 and up to become a Special Friend of the BHS.

Suggested giving levels for business and corporate memberships are $250 for a single Business Member, $500 for a Supporter and $1,000 and up to be a Sustaining Member.

All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about this campaign, call 942-8902 or write BHS, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor 04401.

You can also visit its Web site at www.bangorhumanesociety.com.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402;

990-8288.