Assistance Plus
Day Habilitation Services
Making A Difference
1604 Benton Avenue
Benton, ME 04901
1-800-781-0070 or Fax: 1-207-453-6250

In-home, community based, child and adult services

• Region I (York & Cumberland County) Irene Stepan 1-800-492-0846
• Region II (Oxford, Franklin, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Kennebec, Somerset)
  Lynn Dorso/Jean Tondreau- 1-800-866-1814
• Region III (Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Hancock, and Washington counties) Cindy Brackett - 1-800-963-9491
  • The mission of Assistance Plus Day Habilitation Services is to assist children and adults with learning to help themselves.  We are committed to treating our clients as individuals, with dignity and respect.  We will assist children, adults, and families in creating an Individual Treatment Service Plan (ITSP).  We will also assist children, adults, and families in developing their life experience, as well as increase their independence.

Autism Society of Maine
Cathy Dionne, Director of Programs & Administration
72 B Main Street
Winthrop, ME  04364
(207) 377-9603     1-800-273-5200
E-mail: asm@asmonline.org
http://www.asmonline.org

The Autism Society of Maine is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with autism and their families, professionals, and communities by providing education, advocacy, referrals, and resource development. The Society provides current information in support of informed choice of treatments and services. Provides free workshops for parents, providers and educators as well as attends IEP's provide classroom observations and will work one on one with educators to provide tips and suggestions on working with students and modifying classrooms.

Behavioral and Developmental Services (BDS)

Department of Central Administration
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
287-4200
Fax: (207)287-4268

Mental Health (207)287-4243 or 287-4250

OACPDS - (207)287-4242

Region 1 Portland, 822-0270, TTY: Fax:888-254-3011
Region II Augusta, 287-8009, TTY: (207) 287-4238;
Region III Bangor (207)941-4360, TTY: 1-800-606-0215.

The Department's mission is to join with individuals, families, and communities to encourage and assist people with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and substance abuse disorders to achieve good health and meaningful living. Most of our services available to Maine citizens are provided through regional offices or local agencies. 

Center for Early Literacy
Paula Moore, Director
University of Maine
College of Education
5766 Shibles Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5766
581-2438

CH.A.D.D. (Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders)

Bangor Ch.A.D.D.- Sue Bonzey, 947-0635
Central Maine Ch.A.D.D - Nancy Niles, 582-3068
Downeast Ch.A.D.D - Michelle McCann, 288-3120

Three regional Ch.A.D.D chapters in Maine provide a support network for parents who have children with ADD and for adults with ADD. The National Ch.A.D.D. publishes a newsletter and regular periodical about ADD, the CH.A.D.D. Educators Manual, and the Educators In-service Program on Attention Deficit Disorders (address is CH.A.D.D., 499 Northwest 70th Ave., Suite 308, Plantation, FL 33317, 305-587-3700).

Child & Family Institute

Muskie School of Public Service
University of Southern Maine
One Post Office Square
P.O. Box 15010
Portland, ME 04112
780-5830

Provides training and consultation in the following areas: child development, human development, early childhood education, family/center-based child care, infant/toddler care, school-age child care and child abuse and neglect. Services include: credit and non-credit educational programs, on-site training and consultation, research, curriculum development, program development, policy development, conferences, workshops, symposia, and library.

Community Counseling Center
Nancy Givren, Program Manager, CYF
Developmental Disabilities/Mental Retardation Case Management Services for Children
343 Forest Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 874-1030
www.commcc.org
Email: givren@commcc.org

Community Counseling Center case managers work with families of children diagnosed with mental illness, behavioral issues and other specialized needs, including development disabilities and mental retardation, to develop a plan tailored to the individual needs of the child. Case managers help parents:

• Locate and coordinate resources and funding
• Advocate for needed services on behalf of their children
• Ensure that appropriate services are in place and that the children's needs continue to be met
  

Disabilities Rights Center of Maine

Kim Moody, Executive Director
P.O. Box 200724 Stone Street
Augusta, ME 04338-2007
1-800-452-1948
(Voice or TTY)626-2774
(Voice or TTY)621-1429 FAX

Disability Rights Center is Maine's federally funded protection and advocacy agency and has a mandate to advance and enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities in a wide range of areas including institutional and facility treatment and care, housing, employment and education.  Disability Rights Center is a statewide, nonprofit organization which provides targeted advocacy services based upon clearly defined priorities which provides targeted advocacy services based upon clearly defined priorities and case selection criteria, to individuals with disabilities who meet federal eligibility requirements.  Disability Rights Center represents individuals with disabilities who have experienced a violation of rights directly related to disability, with the primary focus on abuse and neglect.  Attorneys and advocates can assist individuals by providing information and technical assistance, referral to appropriate services, direct representation in hearings or court, and training on rights.

During 1999 and 2000 Disability Rights Center received a state appropriation from the Legislature to provide similar advocacy services for children with learning disabilities.

Developmental Disorders Treatment Program
Spring Harbor Hospital
Lee D'Attillio
123 Andover Road
Westbrook, ME 04092
(207) 253-2605 or (207) 761-2200
dattiliol@springharbor.org
Web: http://www.springharbor.org/

The only hospital program in Maine where children with a developmental disorder, such as autism or mental retardation, can receive intensive treatment for aggression, self-injury, impairment in functioning, andmental health challenges. The program is designed for children up to age 21 who have a developmental disorder and cannot currently function safely outside the hospital setting.

Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Email: John McMahon

Provides educational services, advocacy and consultation for blind/visually impaired children birth through age 21. Education counselors (case managers), itinerant teachers and mobility specialists are available statewide, in addition to textbooks and materials from the Instructional Materials Center.

Division of Deafness

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
150 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0150
Tele: 1-888-755-0023 (TTY Toll Free)
1-800-698-4440 (V Toll free within Maine only) 624-5965 TTY; 624-5963 (V) 624-5980 (Fax)
Website: www.maine.gov/rehab/dod

G.E.A.R Parent Network The Place where "Gaining Empowerment Allows Results"

Maine Department of Education's
Center for Inquiry on Literacy

http://www.maine.gov/education/cil/index.html

Maine Office of Substance Abuse
41 Anthony Avenue
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207)287-8900; 1-800-499-0027 (in state only)
TTY: 1-800-606-0215

Email: osa.ircosa@maine.gov

Web: http://www.maine.gov/bds/osa/irc

The center contains a wide variety of print and audiovisual resources regarding alcohol, other drug issues, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and suicide prevention, including Student Assistance Programming.

Learning Disabilities Association of Maine
Brenda Bennett, Executive Director
97 Rocky Shore Lane
Oakland, ME  04963
Ph: (207) 465-7700  Fax: (207) 465-4844
bbennett@ldame.org
http://www.ldame.org

Coordinates information and training efforts between national, state and local associations; provides resource information via newsletters, films, tapes, references and literature on learning disabilities; provides assistance in establishing local LD chapters; presents an annual state conference and regional conferences; assists parents and professionals in providing an appropriate education for students with learning disabilities.

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

P.O. Box 799
Portland, ME 04104
781-3165 (Voice or TTY)
FAX: 781-6296

Provides a wide range of services for students, families, professionals and citizens in the State. Comprehensive programming includes academic program, residential program, statewide educational consulting services, and adult education/community relations. Additional resources include a Sound and Communications Technology Lab, ITV and ATM (Distance Learning), and close contact with Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Maine Transition Network

Michael Ashmore, Executive Director
Meridith Greig, Program Director
P.O. Box 2219
Augusta 04438-2219
1-800-328-9549; 621-9878
Fax 623-1677
cot@mainetransition.org
www.mainetransition.org

Statewide network for facilitating community collaboration on school-to-community transition for individuals with disabilities, ages 14-26. Provides resources, technical support and training for the development of quality transition planning which meets the intent of federal and state law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Maine's Statewide Systems Change Initiative for Inclusive

Lucille Zeph, Education Director
Valerie Smith, Co-Project Director
Linda Labas, Project Coordinator
Maria Timberlake, Project Coordinator
Susan Russell, Assistand Director for Administration and Finance The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies Maine's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Center for Community Inclusion
University of Maine
5717 Corbett Hall
Orono, ME 04469
581-1084; TTY 581-3328
FAX: 581-1231
email: ccimail@umit.maine.edu
web: http://www.ume.maine.edu/cci

Statewide initiative designed to promote, assist and support the development of effective inclusive schools and early childhood services in Maine by building the capacity of local schools and early childhood programs to meet the educational needs of all students. Offers workshops and seminars; on-site planning and technical assistance; consultation; research and policy analysis; and coordination with state and national school restructuring initiatives. A calendar of training activities is available on request.

Maine CITE Coordinating Center
Kathy Powers
University of Maine System Network
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
621-3195 (Voice)
kpowers@doe.k12.me.us
www.mainecite.org
Maine CITE is a Department of Education statewide program, funded with a federal grant, that helps to make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults who have disabilities.

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)
Rebecca Weinstein, Executive Director
Phone: 207-287-4215
E-mail: Julia.J.Bell@maine.gov

Maine Educators of the Gifted and Talented (M.E.G.A.T.)
Ann Cutten, President
Email: acutten@sacoriver.net

Statewide organization of professional educators interested in gifted and talented education.  Sponsor conferences, workshops and inservice training programs, regional meetings and a newsletter.  Can provide information on programs throughout the state.

Maine School Leadership Network

Maine Development Foundation
45 Memorial Circle
Augusta, ME  04330
Phone: (207) 622-6375
http://mdf.org/

Maine Relay Service

Maine Center on Deafness

68 Bishop Street, Suite 22
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 797-7656 V
TTY -local(207) 797-0791
fax1-(800) 639-3884
toll free in Maine only
TTY relay service 1-800-437-1220
Voice Relay Service -1-800-457-1220

Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) promotes and advocates for Deaf & Hard of hearing individuals throughout the state.  MCD provides information and referral services, deaf advocacy, deafness awareness training, and outreach & support services such as Peer Support Group which meets twice a month.  Civil Rights Services advocates for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals when they have civil rights problems directly related to their deafness in employment, housing, federal, state, and local government programs, education and public accommodations.  MCD provides individual representation in meetings and hearings, and assists in obtaining workplace and other accommodations such as TTYs and interpreters.  MCD also staffs the Dead Advocacy Group (DAG) which is a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to obtaining equal access for the Deaf and hard of hearing in Maine.  Telecommunication Equipment Project (TEP) has two programs: Cost Sharing and Lending Programs.  Telecommunication devices, including TTYs, amplified telephones, speaker phones and large button speaking phones are wither loaned or sold at half price to Deaf/Hard of Hearing and persons with mobility, vision and speech disabilities, depending on income requirements.  This project also publishes a directory of TTY users in Maine annually.  Maine Relay Service Outreach Program (MERS) is a telecommunication relay service offered to all Maine residents, operated under a contract by AT&T. The service relays conversations between Deaf & hard of hearing people and hearing people 24 hours a day, every day.   Workshops, brochures, relay videotapes and information are available through (MCD).

Maine Special Education Mental Health Collaborative

Laurie Marchewka, Executive Director
Ellen DeLuca, Education Director
41 Pineland Drive, Suite 200
New Gloucester, ME  04260
(207) 688-2253 Ext. 103
Fax: (207) 688-4561

Email: eldeluca@collaborativeschool.org
Web: http://www.collaborativeschool.org/

The Collaborative School is a division of the nonprofit Maine Special Education / Mental Health Collaborative (MSE/MHC) and provides day treatment services for children in grades K – 12. In keeping with its mission, the Collaborative’s administrative, clinical and teaching staff maintain a strong commitment to supporting schools in effectively serving their most complex students. Therefore, the Collaborative School serves as both a comprehensive educational and mental health treatment setting licensed by the Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). At the core of the Collaborative School’s approach to this challenging work is a well-articulated treatment philosophy and extensive supervisory support for teaching staff, support staff, and clinical service providers

Syntiro/Maine Support Network
Kathryn Markovchick, Executive Director

Maine State Gear Up

P.O. Box 390
Readfield, ME 04355
685-3171; fax 685-4455
Email: office@mainesupportnetwork.org
http://www.mainesupportnetwork.org

Statewide network providing support and learning opportunities for educators working with students with disabilities. Regionally-based activities are held in locations that are accessible to educators from throughout the state. Specific content for support meetings and training is determined by the membership through ongoing assessment of their needs.

New England ADA Technical Assistance Center
200 Portland Street
Boston, MA 02214
1-800-949-4232 (Voice or TTY)
FAX: (617)482-8099
(617)695-0085 (Voice or TTY)

www.newenglandADA.org

Parent Information Network (S.P.I.N.)
P.O. Box 2067
Augusta, ME 04338-2067
1-800-870-7746; 623-2144
(TTY services available)
Fax 623-2148
Web: http://www.mpf.org

Offers a variety of services to parents, parent groups, professionals and others who are concerned with the needs of children with disabilities. Provides information about disabilities, the availability of services, support groups and referral to other agencies. S.P.I.N.'s overall purpose is to provide parents of dividuals with disabilities with information and training to enable them to participate more effectively and knowledgeably in the educational planning for their children. Sponsored by the Maine Parent Federation.

Spring Harbor Community Services
COO
Gail Wilkerson
78 Atlantic Place
South Portland, ME 04016
(207) 842-7700 x 2292
Fax: (207) 842-7707
wilkersong@memhp.org
www.memhp.org

Possibilities through Partnerships

Talking Book Program

Maine State Library
64 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0064
1-800-762-7106
287-5650

benitad@ursus1.ursus.maine.edu

Coordinates a free library program providing reading materials of a recreational nature on cassette format as the regional library for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Persons requesting Talking Books must be certified by a doctor, nurse or other professional as unable to read ordinary print, or to hold a book or turn pages. Persons with reading disabilities are eligible, but must be certified by a medical doctor as having an organic dysfunction.

Technical Assistance Program in Gifted Child Education

218 Bailey Hall
University of Southern Maine
Gorham, ME 04038
780-5402

Assists individuals and school agencies in providing high quality programs for able learners in the following: developing interdisciplinary thematic units, integrating critical and creative thinking by applying instructional strategies/techniques to curriculum, integrating affect into content areas, using the regular curriculum for planning and modifying learning experiences for able students, generating authentic assessment and student product development, and meeting with parent groups.

Tourette Syndrome Association - Maine Chapter

428-3040

Provides support to persons diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and their families and works to educate people about Tourette’s Syndrome. Resources include: meetings, educational seminars, a brochure, information packets, newsletters and a lending library.

VSA Arts of Maine
Kippy Rudy, Executive Director
VSA Arts of Maine
P.O. Box 4002
Portland, ME 04102
761-3861 V/TTY; fax 761-4740
info@vsarts.org
Web: vsartsmaine.org

A state network of individuals and programs in Maine who use arts for education, training, enrichment and integration of people with disabilities. Activities include: training programs, professional development, public awareness, artist-in-residence program, and regional and international arts festivals. Support materials are available to individuals and schools to develop programming. Consulting is available in order to contract with art specialists.

Washington County Consortium for School Improvement
Betty Jordan
University of Maine Machias
10 Torrey HallMachias, ME 04654
255-1295; fax 255-1373
email: wcc@maine.edu
Web: http://www.umm.maine.edu/resources/wcc/BETTY57/Homex.html

Program Secretary: Sandra Caston

Regional partnership designed to improve the schools of Washington County for all students, including those with disabilities. The Consortium assists schools to develop and implement long range plans for school improvement, and provides a variety of professional growth opportunities, including workshops, institutes, workgroups, reflective practice groups, and a newsletter. The Consortium assesses needs of teachers concerning students with disabilities, and initiates projects to address those needs.

Western Maine Parent Awareness

Western Maine Partnership for Educational Renewal

Margaret Arbuckle, Executive Director
University of Maine Farmington
Franklin Hall, 104 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
778-7185 Email: arbuckle@maine.edu

The Western Maine Partnership is a regional network of 29 school districts and UMF, with close association with other regionally based organizations.  Its purpose is to promote the development of learning centered schools for all students.  Multiple opportunities for diverse practitioners to learn together and inform one another are offered throughout the Partnership, drawing on educational research as well as practitioner knowledge.  Priorities for 2000 are teaching and assessing for deeper understanding, developing leadership capacity and building school cultures of collective inquiry and learning.  Structures for learning include seminar series, on-going reflective practice groups, book groups, teacher leadership networks, consulting schools and site-based work.

MAINE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR TITLE 1 AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

Association of Title 1 Educators Vital to Education

(ACHIEVE)

Gayla LaBreck
P.O. Box 115
Vassalboro, ME 04989
923-3893
Home 582-2214 (W)
Email: glabreck@hotmail.com

This is a professional organization concerned with all issues relevant to compensatory education. ACHIEVE recognizes a real need for unity and more involved communication as a way of addressing Title I issues in Maine. Any person who is involved in or supportive of the Title I program is eligible for membership. Meetings are held bi-monthly at the Office of Compensatory Education.

Maine Educators of the Gifted and Talented (M.E.G.A.T)

Jill Anderson
3 Winding Way
Windham, ME 04062
892-3332

jill_anderson@sad6.k12.me.us

Statewide organization of professional educators interested in gifted and talented education. Sponsor conferences, workshops and inservice training programs, regional meetings and a newsletter. Can provide information on programs throughout the state.

Maine Federation Council for Exceptional Children

kathrynm@maine.edu

Maine Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. Works closely with MADSEC. Has joined forces with the Maine Support Network to insure that a wide variety of learning opportunities are available for educators of children with disabilities.

Maine Speech Language Hearing Association (MSLHA)

Sabrina Jellison, President
P.O. box 367
Strong, ME 04983

Southern Maine Parent Awareness

http://www.SoMePa.org

The National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped

email: ntwhcrby@mint.net

www.ntwh.org 

National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped

The National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped (NTWH), was founded in 1977 by Brother Rick Curry, S.J. NTWH is a training, production and advocacy organization serving persons with disabilities who are interested in the arts. Although NTWH s primary focus is persons with disabilities, it also welcomes the able-bodied. NTWH offers professional instruction in acting, oral interpretation, music, movement and dance, playwrighting, theater management and technical theater, as well as courses in fine arts.

Deaf Ed. Catalyst Project

Michelle Hoversten, Project Coordinator
405 White Hall
Educ. Foundations and Special Srvcs/College of Ed.
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-0735 (V)
(330) 672-2498 (fax)

Project Coordinator for a national deaf education project which is just one year young! We are funded by a federal PT3 Catalyst grant and our goals are to enrich deaf education teacher preparation programs and infuse the curriculum with technology. One tangible product of our project is our new deafed website (http://www.deafed.net). We are quite proud of this site and of its potential to be a premium resource for all those interested in deaf education.

The Maine Division for Early Childhood (MDEC)

sandra.doctoroff@umit.maine.edu

a non-profit membership organization designed for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. Children with special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental delays, are gifted/talented, or are at risk of future developmental problems. Founded in 1973, the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children. MDEC seeks to promote:

1. Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication among organizations, practitioners and family members;

2. Dissemination and use of information about research, resources, best practices and current issues; and

3. Professional development through an array of activities and strategies.