Resource Guide: CHILDRENS SERVICES

Last Updated; December 5, 2023

Cambridge Hospital

Deaf Services
1439 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Sanjay Gulati, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Lauren Imperatore, PhD, Team Leader
(617)-665-3458 (V)
(617)-665-1055 (TTY)
(617)-665-1973 (FAX)

Provides evaluations, individual, family and marital therapy for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families. The Child, Adolescent, and Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Units at Cambridge Health Alliance also have extensive experience in treating deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. American Sign Language and certified deaf interpreting is readily available.

Child Development Services (CDS)

146 State House Station
Burton Cross State Office Building, 5th Floor
Augusta, Maine 04333-0146
624-6660 (V)
TTY Users Call Maine Relay 711
624-6661 (FAX)

Child Development Services (CDS) is the statewide system responsible for providing services to children ages birth to five (not yet in school) who have disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This program is funded through the federal IDEA. CDS operates nine regional offices throughout the state to arrange and deliver early intervention, special education and other related services to children and their families. CDS will find a consultant who will work with the family to provide services and support to the child and family until the child enters school.

Child Protective Intake-Department of Health and Human Services

11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
1-800-452-1999
TTY Users Call Maine Relay 711
287-5065 (FAX)

24-hour hotlines to report child abuse and neglect statewide.

Childrens Hospital Boston at Waltham

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHHP)
9 Hope Avenue
Waltham, ME 02453
(781) 216-2210 (TTY)
(781) 216-2215 (V)
(781) 216-2252 (FAX)

The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program is an interdisciplinary clinical and research group within the Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Disorders at the Childrens Hospital. The clinical team includes specialists in psychology, audiology, education, medicine, speech and language, psychiatry and communications. DHHP provides comprehensive evaluation and consultative services to deaf and hard of hearing children, their physicians, families and schools. Staff work with children and families from diverse locations and backgrounds covering the full pediatric age spectrum, from infants to teens. DHHP serves as a center for coordination of evaluations, referrals, research, guidance and information for families and agencies.

Echo Dixon, LCSW (she/her)

201 West Street
Biddeford, Maine 04005
(207) 332-0023 (T/V)
(207) 494-5520 (VP)

Email: echodixonlcsw@gmail.com
Psychology Today

Individual and couples/group therapy in ASL. Training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy for mental health: ADHD, ADD, Anger Management, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Adolescent, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorders, Family Conflict, Grief, Institutional Abuse specific to Deaf, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Parenting, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Trauma, GLBTQ, and Personality Disorders. See ages 10 - 110. Insurance, accept all.

hear ME now!

P.O. Box 896
Portland, ME 04104
Pam Dawson, Executive Director
781-7199 (V)
781-7201 (FAX)
Email: info@hear-me-now.org
Website: hear ME now!

Our mission statement: hear ME now is northern New England's Listening and Spoken Language Center for children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families and their communities.

-Early intervention services in the home and through tele-intervention
-Listening and Spoken Language therapy
-Community gatherings and family connections
-Consultative support to community preschools
-Adult rehabilitation to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who have received a cochlear implant

We are a member of OPTION International - a consortium of programs dedicated to advancing excellence in listening and spoken language education. Our area of expertise: We use an auditory approach to spoken language development. This means we use listening first supported by natural gestures, expressions and pictures during language based activities. Infants and children with hearing loss require early, consistent use of amplification and early intervention to access, stimulate and grow the auditory cortex. This requires targeted and meaningful listening and spoken language practice with professionals trained in integrating auditory skills development.

Who we are: Our staff includes a certified early childhood special educator, certified speech/language pathologists, certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS), and certified Teachers of the Deaf who specialize in helping children who are deaf and hard of hearing learn to listen and speak. All of our direct support staff hold a certification in Listening and Spoken Language (LSLS) or are completing an extensive LSLS preparatory program.

Maine Behavioral Healthcare

165 Lancaster Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-874-1043 (TTY)
207-874-1030 (V)
874-1044 (FAX)
Email: info@mainebehavioralhealthcare.org
Website: Deaf Counseling Services | Maine Behavioral Healthcare | Maine (mainehealth.org)

Maria "Mars" Hammond-Case Manager
Greg Scheuer-Case Manager
Miranda Nichols, LCPC-Deaf Services Clinician (Statewide)

For over a decade, Maine Behavioral Healthcare has been pleased to offer high-quality mental health and family services to deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, and late-deafened children and adults throughout Maine. This highly specialized program offers individual, couples, family and group counseling, and case management services, provided by licensed therapists who are fluent in American Sign Language and English. Our staff is aware of the unique needs and diversity of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. We also offer services to hearing children, siblings, parents, and family members of deaf individuals.

Our counseling services can help individuals and families with:
-Depression and anxiety.
-Acute and chronic mental illness.
-Relationship, couple, and family problems.
-Parenting challenges.
-Behavioral and emotional problems in children.
-Abusive or destructive relationships.
-Sexual and/or physical abuse.
-Separation and/or divorce.
-Loss of loved ones.
-Family crises.

Case Management is a MaineCare-funded service that is designed to support children and adults in identifying and accessing resources and services in their community.

Our case managers can:
-Connect children, adults, elders and their families to natural supports and community resources.
-Coordinate services and streamline communications between multiple providers.
-Facilitate referrals for needed resources.
-Work with individuals to create effective service plans.

Deaf culture-friendly counseling and case management services are available in our Portland office, located in the heart of the Bayside neighborhood. MaineCare, Medicare and most commercial insurance is accepted; self-pay and sliding-fee-scale options are also available.

Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (MECDHH/GBSD)

Empowering Children, Supporting Families, Celebrating Differences

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (MECDHH/GBSD) is Maine's State funded Deaf Education Agency providing comprehensive early intervention, educational and support services to Maine's children who are Deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) from birth through age 22.

Executive Director
1 Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-6335 (V)
207-420-9918(cell)
207-449-1476 (VP)
Suzy Sargent, Administrative Assistant
207-781-6284 (V)
207-781-6319 (FAX)
Email: suzy.sargent@mecdhh.org

For all referrals - Email: referrals@mecdhh.org

Birth through age 2

Website: Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Age 3-22

Website: Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Early Intervention and Family Services Program (EIFS)
For Information regarding Early intervention and Family Services, please contact:
Amy Spencer
EIFS Coordinator
207-749-8133 (V/Text)
Email: Amy.spencer@mecdhh.org

Kim Spencer
Administrative Assistant, Early Intervention and Family Services/Referrals Birth - 22
207-781-6230
Email: kimberly.spencer@mecdhh.org

Referrals referrals@mecdhh.org

Early Intervention and Family Services Program (EIFS)

The Early Intervention and Family Services (EIFS) Program provides services to families with children newborn to their third birthday who are deaf or hard of hearing or have a suspected hearing difference. We provide information to families and professionals statewide, support the choices that families make to benefit their children, and assist them with identifying the resources that will help them meet the individual needs of their infant or young child. Services are provided at no cost to families. Home visits are offered to families to provide unbiased information about early childhood development, language development, hearing levels, auditory skills development, amplification, communication and technology options, education and program resources, funding options, networking, and mentoring. MECDHH/GBSD has an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Child Development Services (CDS), and our providers are integrated into statewide early intervention teams. EIFS consultants are available for observations and consultations in daycare and preschool settings. We are also available for participation in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team meetings. Our program collaborates with the child's IFSP team and provides opportunities for statewide networking for families, providers, and agencies. We have a diverse professional staff with the following backgrounds: teachers of the deaf, parent/infant specialists, early-childhood educators, educational/pediatric audiologists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and special educators.

Play Groups

In supporting a continuum of language and communication opportunities, our play groups include modeling strategies within play-based centers for ASL, listening, and spoken language development. Parent, infant, and toddler play groups are held on Fridays for our south families, and on weekends for our north families. Additional outings are held on Saturdays between sessions to allow an opportunity for all family members to attend. Both are great venues for families to connect and children to play and interact with other children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

ASL/Spoken English story time gives families and children access to stories regardless of their primary receptive language. Audiologists, speech language pathologists, teachers of the deaf, occupational therapists, and deaf mentors provide resources and are available for consultation throughout the morning. This play group is aimed at families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing who want to meet other families, gather information, and have a good time! Parents have the opportunity to connect and build relationships. Story times are held at libraries throughout the state.

Statewide Education and Family Services (SEFS)
Age 3- 22 programming

Maines Statewide Education and Family Services department collaborates with families and school districts throughout the state to meet the critical language, communication, and learning needs of students in Maine who are deaf or hard of hearing. Site-based and itinerant services are provided per referral to children who are deaf or hard of hearing ages 3 to 22 statewide. We provide consultation and direct services for students at no cost.

For questions and referrals about age 3-22 Programming, please contact:
Susie Tiggs, Director of Statewide Education & Family Services
1 Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
781-6335 (V)
207-449-1476 (VP)
Email: karen.hopkins@mecdhh.org

For information regarding the Mackworth Island Preschool, please contact:
Catherine Lushman, Preschool Coordinator
Email: Catherine.lushman@mecdhh.org
1 Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-747-1207 (VP/Phone)
207-415-8055 (Text)
Falmouth, ME 04105

Margaret Airey, Administrative Assistant
207-781-3165 (V)
207-781-6246 (FAX)
Email: Margaret.airey@mecdhh.org

Website: Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Public School Outreach

Outreach services are provided to children ages 3 to 22 throughout the State of Maine by MECDHHs Statewide Education and Family Services (SEFS). Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, ASL Specialists and Special Educators travel to daycares, preschools and both public and private schools throughout Maine to work with families and professionals that are supporting deaf and hard of hearing children in their school settings. They collaborate with Maines Child Development Services (CDS) for children ages 3-5 and with public and private schools for children in grades K-12. They offer consultation and direct specialized instruction to students using all communication approaches.

Services offered per referral:
-504 Services
-Specially Designed Instruction (MECDHH/GBSD ensures staffing up to four hours a week towards the childs determined IEP services)
-Consultation
-Parent Training and Counseling (ASL, Cued Language)
-Evaluations:
-American Sign Language Evaluations
-Speech Language Evaluations
-Functional Listening Evaluations
-Coordination of statewide Hearing Assistive Technology
-Coordination of statewide ASL Interpreting services and Cued
-Language Transliteration Services

"Kids Like Me" Social Emotional Programming

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing benefit from peer interactions. Sharing lived experiences help children maintain a positive self image, learn advocacy skills and make lifelong friends. Providing an adult role model who is deaf or hard of hearing is an integral part of the program that promotes positive self-esteem and a can do attitude.

Regional K-5 Student Groups

Peer social groups are established based on the number of students within a one-hour commute of designated sites.

Experiential learning activities such as games, journaling, role playing, art projects, problem solving, small group discussions and assistive technology demonstrations are designed to build advocacy and communication skills, self-esteem, leadership, personal awareness and a strong, positive identity as a deaf or hard of hearing individual.

Middle School/High School Student Groups

Groups of students from grades six to twelve meet for two consecutive days (one overnight) with deaf and hard of hearing peers from all over the state for a total of 24 hours of fun. Our program provides a stimulating context for building friendships and self-advocacy skills, expressing thoughts and feelings, and sharing cooperative learning experiences. Activities may include: games, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping out, rock climbing and other activities in the great outdoors.

Three two-day sessions a year are offered and students are strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions to reap the greatest benefit from the program. Language Access Commitment

Each child's preferred language and approach to communication is accommodated and respected. Interpreters, Cued Speech transliterators, and hearing assistive technologies are an integral part of all our programs.

Site-based & Preschool Services

MECDHH/GBSD offers site-based programming in collaboration with Child Development Services and the Portland and Brewer School Districts. Our evidenced- based programs provide direct and consultative deaf education services for deaf and hard of hearing students that live within an hour radius of the school. Students are fully integrated into the public school they are attending. The programs are designed to encourage educational opportunities in both the Deaf education and inclusive classrooms as appropriate for each individual student. The sites are staffed by a diverse group of experienced teachers of the deaf, therapists, ASL specialists and educational technicians who have a broad range of strengths and experiences.

We offer:
-Specially Designed Instruction
-Speech-language therapy; including Listening and Spoken Language Services
-Audiology in conjunction with the students managing audiologist
-Occupational therapy
-Social work services
-American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and Cue Transliteration services for educational programming
-Transition planning
-Extended school year services
-Remote hearing technology designed for educational use
-Acoustic consultation, including measurement of unoccupied classroom noise levels and observation of the environment, in order to make recommendations for acoustically appropriate treatment
-Educational Technicians in general education classes
-Evaluations for the following services:
-Occupational therapy
-Speech-language therapy
-American Sign Language
-Psychoeducational evaluations
-Academic achievement
-Functional Listening
-Observations in the learning environment
-Behavioral supports and planning, specifically, functional behavioral evaluations, behavior intervention plans;
-Boarding for high school students
-Transportation for students attending site-based programs from towns other than the host school town(s).

Educational Interpreting Services

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides educational interpreting services for our students enrolled in our Governor Baxter School for the Deaf site-based programs (Portland and Brewer), Public School Outreach students attending their local school districts, and for education related meetings (eg. IEP meetings, concerts, testing and evaluations, etc.) for students and their families. The MECDHH interpreters/transliterators support the development of many important domains cognitive, social, and linguistic. We foster many forms of development, not just learning classroom content or academic milestones.

The interpreter is an important member of the educational team, with a responsibility to help implement the students IEP and maximize learning. The word educational in the title educational interpreter is an important distinction. It means working with a developing child, and this is reflected in your everyday practice.

Classroom interpreting is more than just knowing how to sign competently. Interpreters must process language quickly and accurately, and they must think about spoken English and sign language simultaneously. Interpreting is also about being able to support the educational goals and outcomes as defined by the students Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Interpreting for children and youth is different than interpreting for adults. Childhood and adolescence involve the development of many important domains cognitive, social, and linguistic. Schools foster many forms of development, not just learning classroom content. By working with a student, all adults automatically become role models, language models, and disciplinarians as well as many other roles.

For all referrals referrals@mecdhh.org

Birth through age 2
Website: Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Age 3-22
Website: Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

MaineGeneral Medical Center

Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center
Shawn Kalback, Ph.D.
Psychologist
6 East Chestnut Street
Augusta, ME 04330
207-623-6500 (V)
207-621-5504 (FAX)
Email: Shawn.Kalback@mainegeneral.org
Website: Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center

Dr. Kalback is a psychologist who has a specialization in providing psychological evaluations to children and adolescents who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as children with a range of developmental needs. American Sign Language and certified deaf interpretation is available.

The Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center also provides early developmental services (Occupational, Physical, and Speech/ Language Therapy), behavioral health services (Social Work/ Psychology), and medical consultation (Developmental Pediatrics/ Child Psychiatry) for children and families in the greater Kennebec Valley region. Providers have experience in working with children and families members whom have hearing loss and access American Sign Language and certified deaf interpretation services as appropriate.

Maine Hands & Voices

P.O. Box 406
Brewer, ME 04412
Email: mainehandv@gmail.com
President: Elizabeth Seal
Guide by Your Side Coordinator: Amber Woodcock
Email: mainegbys@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mainehandsandvoices
Website: handsandvoices

Maine Hands & Voices is the Maine state chapter of national non-profit Hands & Voices. Our organization is dedicated to supporting Maine families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We're a parent-driven organization that collaborates with professionals who serve our children to provide families with the resources, networks and information they need to feel supported in raising a child with hearing loss, including connecting families to one another for irreplaceable parent-to-parent support and working to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling deaf and hard-of-hearing children to reach their highest potential. What works for your child is what makes the choice right! Visit Maine Hands & Voices on Facebook.

Maine Newborn Hearing Program (MNHP)

11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
For information please contact Anne Banger, Newborn Hearing Coordinator
(207) 287-8427 (V)
TTY: Maine relay 711
(207) 287-4743 (FAX)
Email: Anne.Banger@Maine.gov
Website: Maine Newborn Hearing Program

The Maine Newborn Hearing Program was established by law in 2000. The program was set up to provide information to families about hearing screening, evaluation and services. Birth facilities are required to tell new families about the importance of newborn hearing screening. If the birth facilities does not offer the screening test, it must help you arrange to have the test done somewhere else.

Colleen M. Owens, LCPC

Penobscot Community Health Care
207-404-8000 Ext. 2611 (V)

Colleen is a graduate of Gallaudet University's Masters in Mental Health Counseling. She has worked with the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind and late-deafened Maine communities since 2006. She provides individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. She is experienced in working with survivors who experienced physical and sexual abuse. She is also experienced in working with adults and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.