All Family Supports

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc. & The Kinship Program provides support services for adoptive, foster, and kinship families including training, information, and resources needed.  

• Adoptive and Foster Family Services
• Adoptive and Foster Family Resources

G.E.A.R. Parent Network: Through parent-to-parent sharing of experiences and knowledge, G.E.A.R. Parent Network empowers parents of children with behavioral health needs to build on their family’s strengths and to advocate for their family’s needs. 

Help Me Grow (HMG) Maine is a free service available to children up to eight years of age and their families.  Help Me Grow Maine connects individuals and families to information and services about child development and community resources. Any parent, caregiver, or provider can call for support and the HMG team will listen, link a person/family to services, and supply ongoing support when needed. 

Maine Children’s Trust (MCT) works to strengthen families, promote healthy relationships, and support communities to prevent child abuse and neglect. The MCT provides collaboration, training, classes, parent support groups, Cribs for Kids, safe sleep information and more.  

Maine Parent Federation provides information, referral, peer to peer support, telephone support, and training to parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs and the professionals who work with these families. Their services are offered at no cost to parents and are available statewide.

Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP) is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in Maine by advocating for, promoting, and supporting the work of the Maine Community Action Agencies.  

Respite Services: National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine Family Respite Certified Providers are available to care for children with special needs in their communities so that their parents can get a break.

Transition to Kindergarten is an exciting time for families.  Resources are available to support parents and caregivers as well as educators and childcare providers for this transition.

Transition services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Transition planning serves to connect the youth's education and service experiences with expected adult services and supports.  Parents and guardians of youth who are 16 years old and have intellectual and developmental needs and who may require assistance transitioning to adulthood should contact a local Behavioral Health Program Coordinator for assistance.

Transition services for youth aging out foster care: Youth transition planning and life skills development should be done concurrently with ongoing efforts to explore, support, and advocate for legally permanent families and life-long connections for youth, in partnership with youth. The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program is available to eligible youth transitioning out of foster care into adulthood.