Education and Support Services for Deafblind Children (ESSDBC)

A collaboration between Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Catholic Charities Maine, and the New England Center Deafblind Project. ESSDBC provides consultation and technical assistance to professionals and parents of infants and school-age children (birth to 22) in Maine who are deafblind. Services include in-service training, program consultation, and technical assistance to schools and agencies that serve children who are deafblind. Program staff provide family support services and the dissemination of information to parents and professionals.

New England Center Deafblind Project: http://www.necdbp.org
A federally funded project, the New England Center Deafblind Project provides consultation and technical assistance to professionals and parents of infants and school-age children who are deafblind in Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Services include in-service training, program consultation and technical assistance to schools and agencies that serve children who are deafblind. The center also participates in a national count of children who are deafblind. Program staff provide family support services and the dissemination of information to parents and professionals.Their newsletter, entitled "In Touch," is published twice a year. A brochure is also available.
175 N. Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 972-7517 (v)
TTY: (617) 924-5525
Fax: (617) 972-7354
Tracy Evans Luiselli, Coordinating Consultant
nec@perkins.org

Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI): http://www.state.me.us/rehab/
DBVI provides vocational rehabilitation, educational consultation services, independent living services and training to blind and visually impaired consumers of all ages. Counselors and blindness specialty staff are located in regional offices throughout the state.
2 Anthony Avenue
150 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0150
Tel: 1-800-698-4440 (V/TTY)
(207) 624-5959
Fax: (207) 624-5980
Kate Grogan, Bureau Director
Harold J. Lewis, Division Director
Paul Cote, Program Manager/Field Operations Manager
paul.e.cote@maine.gov

DBVI Education Consultants:

DBVI education consultants process referrals of children and youth who are blind and visually impaired. They play an advocacy role, particularly with transition issues.

Alice Gay, DBVI
2 Anthony Ave.
Augusta, ME 04333
Tel: (207) 624-5145 (V)
Agay760474@aol.com

Jeff Jones
DBVI
45A Oak Street, Suite 1
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 561-4021 (V)
Jeffrey.A.Jones@maine.gov

Education Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children:
Provides statewide direct instruction to blind/visually impaired children and consultation to parents and school personnel regarding the child's needs.
1066 Kenduskeag Avenue
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: (207) 941-2855 (v)
Fax: (207) 941-2835
Jean Small, Program Director
esbvic@ccmaine.org

Instructional Materials Center:
The Center provides Braille, large print books and other specialized materials to meet the needs of students who are blind/visually impaired and their teachers.
St. Paul's Center
136 State St.
Augusta, ME 04330
Tel: (207)621-8520
1-800-621-8520
FAX: (207)622-8520

The Iris Network: http://www.theiris.org/
The Iris Network (formerly known as Maine Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired) is a non-profit organization serving people of all ages in Maine who are blind or visually impaired. The Agency was founded in 1905, and provides rehabilitation services at its Portland campus as well as through seven outreach offices statewide. Services include a Residence PRogram, Computer Access Program, Vision REhabilitation Services and an Audio Information and REading Broadcasting SErvice, known as Maine Airs. Our goal is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired through education and training to lead active, meaningful lives. We provide rehabilitation, training education and related services for individuals and their families and other support systems. We are a resource in the state of Maine regarding issues related to blindness and visual impairment. The agency is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is funded in part by the State of Maine, and also from grants, and contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

189 Park Avenue
Portland ME 04102
Tel: 1-800-715-0097 (v)
(207) 774-6273
FAX: (207)774-0679
Anisio Correia, Vice President for Program Services
acorreia@theiris.org
info@TheIris.org

Perkins School for the Blind: http://www.perkins.pvt.k12.ma.us
A private residential school in Massachusetts that provides education and training to more than 170 students from birth to 22 years of age who are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities or who are deafblind. In addition to their on-campus and outreach programs, they provide comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluations for students from 3 to 22-years old who are blind, blind with multiple disabilities, and deafblind. Students are evaluated to determine their special education and clinical needs and to make recommendations for their present and future programs. Teachers and clinical staff work as a team to create comprehensive individualized diagnostic evaluations.
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472-2790
Tel: (617) 924-3434 (V)
Fax: (617) 926-2027

Division of Deafness (DOD): http://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/index.shtml
Offers services to deaf and hard of hearing citizens of Maine, including information and referral, advocacy, statewide registry, and accessibility promotion. DOD compiles and distributes a publication entitled Resources: A Guide to Deaf Services. Contact them for copies of this resource guide.
Tel: 1-800-698-4440 (V/TTY)

(207) 624-5959 (V)

Fax: (207) 624-5980

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: http://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/

Assists clients who are deaf and hard of hearing to attain employment and greater independence.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Offices (with Rehab Counselors for the Deaf):

Region 1:

110 Main Street, Suite 1106
Saco, ME 04072
Tel: 1-800-521-5871 (V)
TTY: 1-800-492-0670
Fax: (207) 286-2608

Region 2:

5 Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240
Tel: 1-800-741-2991 (V)
(207) 753-9000 (V)
TTY: (207) 753-9067
Fax: (207) 753-9051

Region 3:

73 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Tel: 1-800-760-1573
(207) 624-5110
TTY: 1-800-633-0770
(207) 624-5111
Fax: (207) 624-5133

279 Main Street, Suite 1
Rockland, ME 04841
Tel: 1-800-432-1680 (V)
(207) 594-1834 (V)
TTY: 1-800-498-9262
Fax: (207) 594-1858

Region 4:

45 Oak Street, Suite 1
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: 1-888-545-8811
(207) 561-4903
TTY: 1-800-498-6711
(207) 561-4003
(207) 561-4027

Region 5: (no RCD)

66 Spruce Street, Suite 3
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Tel: 1-800-635-0375
(207) 760-6300
TTY: (207) 768-6312
Fax: (207) 760-6343

Governor Baxter School for the Deaf: http://www.gbsd.org
The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf is a comprehensive educational organization that offers educational, residential, transitional and outreach programs while promoting deaf culture. GBSD strives for excellence in providing a continuum of services to meet the needs of infants, children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing, their families, professionals, service providers, agencies and communities on a local, statewide, regional and national level.

Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
Tel: (207) 781-3165 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 781-6260
Larry Taub, Superintendent

GBSD Public School Outreach:
https://mecdhh.org/statewide-educational-services/public-school-outreach

The Public School Outreach program of Governor Baxter School for the Deaf offers free consultative services to schools statewide that have students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The goal is to assist public school personnel in implementing an appropriate and positive educational experience for any student with a hearing loss. This is accomplished through consultation, technical assistance, inservice training, and regional peer support groups.
Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
Tel: (207) 781-6215 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 781-6220
Angela Bruno, Program Coordinator
Angela.Bruno@gbsd.org

Aroostook Outreach: GBSD
Provides outreach to Aroostook, Washington, Piscataquis, and Northern Penobscot Counties.
232 Main Street, Suite 8
Fort Fairfield, ME 04742
Tel: (207) 472-0502 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 472-3157
Polly Earl, Program Coordinator
Polly.Earl@fc.baxter.pvt.k12.me.us

Bangor Outreach: GBSD
North Central Outreach
12 Acme Rd.
Suite 205
Brewer, Me 04412
FAX: 989-4079

For Early Childhood Services:
Tel: (207) 989-2305
Contct: Karen Hopkins
Karen.hopkins@gbsd.org

For Public School Services:
Tel: 9889-2954
Contact: Melisssa Shaffer
Melissa.Shaffer@gbsd.org

Maine Department of Education: http://maine.gov/education/speced/index.htm
Develops policy according to federal and state laws to provide all children with disabilities, between ages 5 and 20, with equal education opportunities. They are also responsible for statewide coordination of child identification activities, and responsible for special education regulations and revisions. Technical assistance is available to public or private agencies to provide and improve special education services to all children with a disability requiring special education. A Due Process Consultant is available to initiate a hearing, request mediation or file a complaint regarding the provision of special education services.

Office of Special Services
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Tel: (207) 624-6650 (V)
TTY: (207) 624-6800
Fax: (207) 624-6651
David Noble Stockford, Director

Child Development Services (CDS): http://www.maine.gov/doe/cds/
CDS Locations and Contact Information: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cds/contacts.html
Provides in-home support, preschool programs, and case management for children with disabilities from birth through 5 years of age.

The Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services (BDS): http://www.state.me.us/bds/
40 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0040
Tel: 1-800-588-5511
(207) 287-4200 (V)
TTY: (207) 287-2000
Fax: (207) 287-1022

Children's Services: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/

A branch of BDS. Most services formerly provided through the Department are now contracted through community agencies. Children’s Services provides information and referrals for children with behavioral health care needs, such as developmental disabilities, mental retardation, Pervasive Developmental Disorder/autism, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. In addition, they provide resource information for families on crisis services, services in the community, information and assistance in identifying a child’s needs, family support groups, where to get help applying for entitlement programs such as SSI and Medicaid, adaptive equipment resources, printed materials, and national hotlines and web sites.
40 State House Station
Augusta, Me 04333
Joan Smyrski, Program Director
Tel:(207) 287-4251
Fax: (207) 287-9915

Region 1: (York and Cumberland Counties)
Tel: 1-800-269-5208 (V)
(207) 822-0126 (V) (Portland)
TTY: (207) 822-0272

Region 2: (Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo Counties)

Augusta
56 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Tel: 1-800-866-1814 (V)
(207) 287-7130 (V)
TTY: (207) 287-8126

Lewiston
15 Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240
Tel: 1-800-866-1803 (V)
(207) 753-9100 (V)
TTY: (207) 753-9102
Fax: (207) 782-1753

Region 3: (Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties) Bangor
176 Hogan Rd.
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: 1-800-963-9491 (V)
(207) 941-4360 (V)
TTY: (207) 941-4392
Fax: (207) 941-4389

Presque Isle
P.O. Box 1285
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Tel: 1-800-767-9857 (V)
(207) 764-2120 (V)
TTY: (207) 764-2017
Fax: (207) 764-2001

The Center for Community Inclusion & Disabilities Studies: http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/
The Center for Community Inclusion & Disabilities Studies (CCI&DS) is Maine's University Affiliated Program. CCI&DS is a partnership of people bringing together the resources of the community and the university to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. Since its establishment in 1992, CCI has initiated projects with the aim to provide interdisciplinary education, community outreach and technical assistance, research, and dissemination. Focus areas are self-determination and advocacy, inclusive education and early intervention, family support, community living, health, employment, assistive technology.
5717 Corbett Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5717
Tel: 1-800-203-6957 (207) 581-1084
Fax: (207) 581-1231
TTY: (207) 581-3328
ccimail@umit.maine.edu

Maine Special Olympics: http://www.specialolympicsmaine.org
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community.
125 John Roberts Rd Unit 19
S. Portland ME 04106
207-879-0489
someemail@aol.com

Developmental Disabilities Council: http://www.maineddc.org/

Enhances public awareness to aid in the integration, independence, and productivity of and by persons with developmental disabilities.
State House Station 139
Augusta, ME 04333
Tel: 1-800-244-3990
(207) 287-4213 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 287-8001

Family Support Services

Maine Parent Federation: www.mpf.org

Maine Parent Federation is a private non-profit organization that provides information, support and training to parents and professionals through numerous grant funded projects. In existence since 1984, MPF is located in Gardiner, Maine, but assistance is available on a statewide basis. Through its projects, individuals can receive information about: specific disabilities, parenting issues, education, services, support groups and other resources available to assist families and professionals within the home, school and community. MPF services are offered at no cost to parents and professionals. Regular office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

In addition to information and referral services, MPF offers outreach education through a variety of parent training workshops, a quarterly newsletter, a lending library of books and videos, legislative awareness through action alerts, and parent-to-parent support.

PO Box 2067
Augusta, ME 04338
Tel: 1-800-870-7746 (V/TTY)
(207) 623-2144(V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 623-2148(V/TTY)
parentconnect@mpf.org

Special-Needs Parent Information Network (SPIN): http://spinsc.org/
The oldest and best-known project of Maine Parent Federation. SPIN is the federally funded Parent Training and Information Center for Maine under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Through SPIN, parents of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with children and families are provided information, referral, support and training. SPIN publishes a newsletter every three months which provides information on upcoming events, workshops, and articles of interest to parents of children with disabilities.

GEAR Parent Network: http://www.gearparentnetwork.com/
Parent to parent support by phone, at local GEAR support group meetings, at training workshops, and at social events sponsored by GEAR to bring parents together and prevent social isolation.

Crisis & Counseling Center
32 Winthrop St.
Augusta, ME 04338
Tel: 1-800-264-9224 (V)
scst@midmaine.com

Southern Maine Parent Awareness: www.SoMePA.org

Southern Maine Parent Awareness (SMPA) is an organization comprised of parents, professionals and community volunteers that provides information and support services to families who have children with special needs. Originating in 1980 as a support group for parents, SMPA has evolved into a unique, regionally focused organization that currently serves over 6,000 individuals and families in the southern Maine area. Their goal is to help families and caregivers build working partnerships with the schools, state agencies and community organizations that serve them. SMPA offers a wide range of services for families, the majority of which are provided at no cost to the family. Their individualized information and referral services are designed to help parents understand the nature of their child's disability, the types of services that will be needed and how to access them. They also provide families with the information, training and peer and professional support necessary for them to become active, effective members of their children's educational and treatment teams.

Publications include: comprehensive resource lists and guides that identify contact information for services and supports; a quarterly newsletter, containing articles by parents and professionals, a calendar of events and listings of support groups: "Parent to Parent: A Collection of Parent Reflections", stories written by parents about their experience raising a child with special needs; listings of web sites that offer disability and family specific information; and "A Parent's Guide to Special Education in Maine".

886 Main St., Suite 303
Sanford, ME 04073
Tel: 1-800-564-9696 (V/TTY)
(207) 324-2337 (V/TTY)
(207) 324-2338 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 324-5621
Support@SOMEPA.org

Disability Rights Center of Maine: http://drcme.org
DRCM is a private non-profit organization, independent of state government, which provides protection and advocacy statewide to people with disabilities. Provides information about legal rights and service systems; refers people to appropriate services; represents individuals in meetings, hearings, or court; provides training on rights and advocacy skills; works for broad systemic reform and change.

P.O. Box 2007
24 Stone Street
Augusta, ME 04338-2007 Jim McGurty, Civil Rights Advocate
Linda Dowell, Advocate for People with Developmental Disabilities
Tel: 1-800-452-1948 (V/TTY)
(207) 624-2774 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 621-1419
advocate@DRCME.org

The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: http://www.maineombudsman.org/
An advocacy program for long-term care consumers. The Ombudsman Program provides advocacy services for consumers of home health services and for residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
P.O. Box 128
One Weston Court
Augusta, ME 04332
Tel: 1-800-499-0299 (V/TTY)
(207) 621-1079 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 621-0509
MLTCOP@MaineOmbudsman.org

Maine Center on Deafness:
Promotes the rights of Deaf individuals throughout the state. MCD 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 TTY's and interpreters. MCD also staffs the Deaf Advocacy Group, which is a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to obtaining equal access for the deaf and hard of hearing in Maine.

68 Bishop St. Suite 3
Portland, Me 04103
Tel: 1-800-639-3884 (V/TTY)
(207) 797-7656 (V/TTY)
Fax: (207) 797-9791
medge@maine.rr.com

Maine Transition Network- Committee on Transition (COT): http://www.maine.gov/doe/cte/
COT Locations: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cte/schools/schools.html
Maine Committee on Transition supports youth with disabilities in making meaningful choices as they transition to adulthood by promoting collaboration within communities. The COT, through regional programs, provides information and referrals, training of school-based teams to use student-centered planning, helping people make connections, and coordinating access to programs and services.

P.O. Box 2219
Augusta, ME 04338-2219
Tel: 1-800-328-9549 (V)
(207) 621-9878 (V)
Fax: (207) 623-1677
cot@mainetransition.org

Maine Center on Deafness: http://www.mainecenterondeafness.org
This project has two programs: Cost Sharing and Lending Programs. Telecommunications devices, including TTY’s, amplified telephones, speaker phones, and large button speaking phones are either loaned or sold at half price to Deaf/Hard of Hearing People and persons with mobility, vision, or speech disabilities, depending on income requirements. This project also publishes an annual directory of TTY users in Maine.

TEP Director
Address 68 Bishop St. Suite 3
Portland, ME 04103
Tel: 1-800-639-3884
(207) 797-7656
mcdtep@maine.rr.com

Alpha One: http://www.alphaonenow.com

Contact Info: http://alphaonenow.com/contact_us.htm
Alpha One is a community-based enterprise directed and managed by people with disabilities dedicated to developing independent living opportunities. Through two offices statewide, it promotes peer interaction, community resource utilization, and self-advocacy skills. It seeks to ensure equal opportunities and compliance with all laws through increased public awareness, professional consultation, and community advocacy. Low interest loans can cover hearing aids, flashing alert systems and agency TTY’s.

HEAR NOW: http://www.sotheworldmayhear.org
A national non-profit agency and is the US Program of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. They are an agency of last resort that provides hearing aids to deaf and hard of hearing people with limited financial resources. Those seeking assistance are asked to exhaust all other sources before contacting HEAR NOW, i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, vocational rehabilitation, Veteran’s Administration, insurance, etc. There is a non-refundable processing fee of $30.00 per hearing aid provided. They also collect old, broken, and no-longer-used hearing aids for recycling.

6700 Washington Ave. South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Tel: 1-800-648-4327 (voice message only)
Fax: (612) 828-6946
Marge@sotheworldmayhear.org

Lions Club:
May donate towards hearing aids and adaptive equipment. Call a local chapter to inquire.
PO Box 335
Readfield, ME
Tel: (207) 685-3247

United Cerebral Palsy of Maine (UCP): http://www.ucp.org
UCP of Maine is designed to help people of all ages with disabilities expand their lives through the use of assistive technology. UCP of Maine is a place to discover, learn about, and practice using assistive technologies. UCP of Maine is filled with adapted games and puzzles for play; equipment for recreation; alternative devices for communication; mobility aids; and computers to enhance education and employment skills. Membership allows individuals, families, educators or employers to borrow equipment for use at home, day care, in school, or on the job.

Evergreen Woods
700 Mount Hope Avenue, Suite 320
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: (207) 941-2952 (V/TTY)
ucp2@midmaine.com

Maine CITE Coordinating Center: http://www.mainecite.org/
Maine CITE (Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange) provides information, training, and peer support to help people with disabilities to obtain and maintain adaptive devices, equipment and services (assistive technology).
University College
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04333
Tel: (207) 621-3195 (V)
TTY: (207) 621-3482
Fax: (207) 621-3193
K.Powers@maine.edu

The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS): http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/

Supports Maine's older and disabled adults by providing Adult Protective, Brain Injury, Other Related Conditions, Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Long Term Care, and Aging and Community services to the people of Maine. OADS coordinates the programs and benefits to assure they operate consistent with the state and federal policies and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services' goals.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
SHS 11
Augusta, Maine 04333

Voice: (207) 287-9200 or (800) 262-2232
Fax: (207)287-9229
TTY: Maine relay 711

Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging: http://www.maine4a.org/

A private, non-profit organization that provides a unifying voice for Maine’s 5 Area Agencies on Aging on issues that promote independence, dignity and economic self-reliance for Maine’s older adults. As part of this work, M4A leads Maine’s aging network and advocates for the health and economic security of older Mainers through the Maine Council on Aging. M4A is also leading efforts in northern New England to build stronger communities that help older adults age in place through the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging. Maine’s network of Agencies on Aging is the leading source of information for thousands of Maine seniors on aging, healthy living and benefits. Programs and outreach support services are designed to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of older adults and to reduce the burden on families and caregivers.

Aroostook Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 1288, 33 Davis Street
Presque Isle, Maine 04769
Tel: 1-800-439-1789 (V)
(207) 764-3396 (V)

Eastern Agency on Aging (Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington Counties)
450 Essex Street
Bangor 04401-9810
Tel: 1- 800-432-7812 (V)
(207) 941-2865 (V)

Senior Spectrum (Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo Counties)
P.O. Box 2589 1 Western Court
Augusta, Maine 04338-2589
Tel: 1-800-639-1553 (V)
(207) 622-9212 (V)

Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging (Cumberland and York Counties)
136 US Rt. 1
Scarborough, ME 04074
Tel: 1-800-427-7411 (V)
(207) 396-6500 (V)
Fax (207) 883-8249

Seniors Plus (Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties)
PO Box 659, 8 Falcon Rd.
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Tel: 1-800-427-1241 (V)
(207) 795-4010 (V)
TTY: (207) 795-7232
Fax: (207) 795-4009

DISABILITY INFORMATION