Helpful Links and Resources

         This resource center is a place for families, and the professionals who serve
         them, to find the resources necessary to best support children.  We welcome          suggestions for additional resources which should be added to this list.
         Please contact us with any additional resources and/or corrections.
        Thank you!

   Maine Organizations

         2-1-1 Maine is part of a national movement to centralize and streamline
         access to health and human service information and resources.

        Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine offers a variety of support services to
        adoptive, foster, and kinship families. Services include monthly newsletter, a
        popular discount card for a variety of statewide vendors, support group
        meetings, summer camp scholarships, holiday parties, and much more.
        Visit www.affm.net or call 1-800-833-9786.

        Maine Department of Human Services has many online resources including
        information about their programs, and downloadable publications including
        information about elder services, child welfare, and Mainecare.

        Penquis is a social service agency assisting individuals and families in
        preventing, reducing, or eliminating poverty in their lives.

        United Way of Eastern Maine

        Wings For Children And Families provides wraparound services for children
        and families in Maine.

   National Organizations

        Casey Family Services is the nation’s largest foundation focused entirely
        on foster care and improving the child welfare system

        National Alliance for Caregiving connects families with information on
        caregiver resources and local services.

        Children's Defense Fund provides a strong, effective voice for all the children
        of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves.

        Maine Adoption Placement Services (MAPS) is a multi-service, non-profit         organization serving children and families worldwide.

        The National Foster Parent Association is the only national organization which
        strives to support foster parents, and remains a consistently strong voice on
        behalf of all children.

        United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral
        palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability.

   Legal Resources

        Kids Legal Services: This Pine Tree Legal Assistance program represents
        children.  They can help youth with school and health care legal issues, as
        well as issues related to homelessness.

        Maine Equal Justice Partners is a resource for legal information for low-income
        Mainers.  It advocates for improved systems in healthcare, income supports, food
        assistance, employment, education and training.

        Pine Tree Legal Association:  Free legal services in areas of housing, family
        law, social services, benefits, education, healthcare, etc. It also provides
        access to Maine law and self-help information.

        Legal Services for the Elderly provides free legal services to Maine's socially
        and economically needy elders age 60 and over. This site contains
        information about Legal Services for the Elderly, their staff and the ways
        they may be able to help you. It also contains client education materials,
        as well as links to other organizations which also may be able to help.

   Medications

        www.medem.com  Contains many articles on medications and health issues as
        they relate to both adults and children.  Type "children" in the search box for
        all child related articles.

   Financial Assistance

        Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has many online
        resources including information about their programs, and downloadable
        publications including information about elder services, child welfare, and
        MaineCare.

        Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for adults and
        children:  www.socialsecurity.gov  

   Education

        Special Education services for children: 
        www.maine.gov/education/speced/index.htm

        SPIN is a statewide project of the Maine Parent Federation, serving parents and
        professionals who are concerned about issues related to children and young adults
        with disabilities.

   Alcohol and Drug Information

        How to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol and information on how to cope
        with kids behavior problems:  www.coaf.org/family/caregivers/kinmain.htm

        Maine Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services:  www.maine.gov/bds/osa

        A family guide to keeping youth mentally healthy and drug free:
        www.family.samhsa.gov