CUMBERLAND COUNTY RESOURCES
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Residential and Community Support Services (RCSS) - Provides tailored services to adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and co-occurring mental health needs. RCSS offers residential housing, independent living skill development, behavior support planning, and positive support strategies. These services are funded through Maine’s Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program and are available throughout Cumberland County.
Woodfords Family Services - Delivers Section 29 home support and shared living arrangements for individuals with disabilities. These services focus on daily living assistance, individualized supervision, and family-based residential care, enabling people to remain in supportive environments while receiving professional oversight.
Regional Transportation Program (RTP) - Offers specialized, accessible rides for older adults, low-income residents, and people with disabilities. This service ensures individuals can travel to medical appointments, run essential errands, and participate in community activities despite mobility challenges.​
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Portland Resources
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Alpha One - Alpha One, headquartered at 115 Thames Street in Portland, is Maine’s only Center for Independent Living and a central hub for disability services. The organization provides a wide range of supports designed to help people with disabilities live more independently and fully within their communities. Services include adaptive driving evaluations, equipment loans, accessibility consulting, and assistance in securing home modifications such as ramps. Alpha One also connects people with personal care attendants, caregiver support, and peer mentoring. By offering both practical tools and advocacy, Alpha One works to break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to make their own choices about how and where they live.
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Disability Rights Maine (DRM) - Maintains an office presence in Portland and offers statewide advocacy that directly benefits city residents. DRM is the designated protection and advocacy agency for Maine, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are able to access their legal rights and challenge discrimination. Services include legal representation, advocacy for education and employment rights, and training for self-advocacy. For Portland residents, DRM provides a trusted place to turn when facing issues with housing, benefits, education, or accessibility. Its presence in the city makes it easier for individuals to connect with advocates and secure the support they need to navigate complex systems.
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Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) - A nonprofit law firm that offers free civil legal services to low-income individuals, including those with disabilities. PTLA’s work in Portland includes representing clients in cases related to housing discrimination, access to public benefits, and protection against unlawful evictions—issues that disproportionately affect people with disabilities. The organization also provides self-help resources and guidance for individuals navigating legal systems without representation. By addressing both systemic issues and individual cases, PTLA plays a vital role in protecting the rights and stability of Portland residents with disabilities, ensuring they are not excluded from essential services or housing opportunities.
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Social Security Disability (Disability Determination Services) - Portland is home to Maine’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office, located at One Portland Square. This office processes applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, making medical eligibility decisions for federal disability programs. While applications are filed through the Social Security Administration, the Portland DDS office reviews medical records, consults with doctors, and makes determinations about whether applicants meet federal disability criteria. For residents of Portland and beyond, this local office is a critical link in securing income and healthcare benefits for those unable to work due to disability, offering direct access to staff who evaluate claims.
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Greater Portland METRO Accessible Public Transportation - Greater Portland METRO, the city’s public transit system, provides accessible transportation options that are crucial for people with disabilities in Portland. All buses in the fleet are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps and designated seating areas for mobility devices, ensuring that riders with physical disabilities can travel independently. In addition, METRO offers reduced fare programs for individuals with disabilities and coordinates with regional paratransit services for those who cannot use fixed-route buses. For many Portland residents with disabilities, this accessible transit system makes it possible to commute to work, attend appointments, and participate in community life without relying solely on personal vehicles or costly private transport.
Scarborough Resources
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Morrison Center (60 Chamberlain Road, Scarborough) - A cornerstone of support for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Through its Adult Programs, the center offers case management, shared living options, day programs, and community support services designed to promote independence, self-advocacy, and life skills development Morrison Center+1. Leveraging a person-centered approach, the center’s Adult Community Support Day Programs engage participants in meaningful activities—from culinary training and creative arts to money management and health awareness—rooted in individual goals and Person-Centered Plans.
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Pine Tree Society - Scarborough Community Support Program - The Pine Tree Society operates a dedicated Community Support program at its Scarborough location, designed to help adults (18+) with disabilities stay connected, engaged, and active in their communities. Staffed by Direct Support Professionals, the program fosters peer connections, community integration, and skill-building through daily activities. It also includes seasonal outdoor experiences inspired by Pine Tree Camp—such as biking, kayaking, and adapted Special Olympics training—tailored to each participant’s Person-Centered Plan.
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Simplicity Support Services (6 Track View Terrace, Scarborough) - A group-home provider offering residential and shared living options to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Scarborough. Their mission centers on providing a safe, nurturing environment where residents can build independent living skills, forge meaningful friendships, and thrive in a community-based setting. Through residential, shared living, and community-based group home services, Simplicity emphasizes comfort, autonomy, and supportive relationships.
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Pathways of Maine (71 US-1, Suite H, Scarborough) - Delivers vital care coordination services for children who are MaineCare beneficiaries and have a mental health or developmental disability diagnosis. Their Scarborough office supports children and families by helping navigate and access services through case management—ensuring individualized, comprehensive support for each child’s specific developmental and medical needs.
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