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Maine Parent Federation’s (MPF) Parents as Teachers program (PAT) is a universal, voluntary home visiting program providing education, encouragement and support to parents of young children. The Parents as Teachers program helps parents learn about child development and how to use play and toys to encourage language, literacy, intellectual growth, and social and motor skills. PAT also provides information on behavior issues, positive discipline methods, and ways to strengthen the parent/child relationship. In addition to home visits, PAT offers playgroups, workshops, family get-togethers, developmental screenings and referrals to resources in the community. PAT serves expectant parents and parents of children birth to kindergarten entry who reside in Kennebec or Somerset County. Services are offered free of charge. MPF is a state affiliate of the Parents As Teachers National Center which trains parent educators, provides a core curriculum and monitors affiliates.