“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin

Maine Department of Education: Child Development Services

“The Child Development Services system is an Intermediate Educational Unit that provides both Early Intervention (birth through two years) and Free Appropriate Public Education (for ages three through five years) under the supervision of the Maine Department of Education. The CDS system ensures the provision of special education rules, federal and state regulations statewide, through a network of regional sites.”

Learn about CDS

MDOE Special Education & Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

“The Office of Special Services is responsible for the state’s oversight and support for the delivery of all special education services provided in Maine under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes early intervention services to eligible children age birth to under age three and their families, provided under IDEA, Part C, and Free Appropriate Public Education to eligible children age three to 20, provided under IDEA, Part B. The Office of Special Services is also responsible for meeting the state’s responsibilities under IDEA”

Learn About Office of Special ServicesLearn About IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.”

Learn More About IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part-C (birth-2 years)

“This site was created to provide a “one-stop shop” for resources related to Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations, announced on September 6, 2011. It is a “living” website and will change and grow as resources and information become available. We invite you to grow and learn with us as we implement these regulations.”

Learn About IDEA Part C

OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs)

“The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.”

Learn About OSEP

American Academy of Pediatrics (Maine Chapter)

“The mission of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to improve the lives of children and adolescents in Maine. Our vision is to be the leading authority, advocate, and voice for the health of Maine’s children and for the profession of pediatrics.”

Visit AAP Site

Maine Office of Child and Family Services

The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) supports Maine’s children and their families by providing Children’s Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Early Intervention & Prevention Services, and Operations.”

Visit OCFS Site

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention

Vision: A strong, safe and healthy Maine

Our mission at Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is to provide the leadership, expertise, information and tools to assure conditions in which all Maine people can be healthy.

Learn About Population HealthLearn More

National Center for Disease Control & Prevention

This resource provides a plethora of information covering the basics of developmental milestones, and developmental screening, as well as providing positive parenting tips. The “Learn the Signs. Act Early” campaign aims to improve early identification of children with developmental disabilities by educating parents on what signs to look out for.

Visit CDC Child Development SiteLearn the Signs. Act Early.

Autism Society of Maine

“The Autism Society of Maine provides education and resources to support the valued lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.”

Visit Autism Society of Maine

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council

MDDC is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and public and governmental agencies which promotes and advocates for equal opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to participate in every aspect of community life.

MDDC is committed to creating a Maine in which all people are valued and respected because we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included.”

Learn About DDC

CradleME

Maine’s Cradle ME program is available for every birthing family. If you are pregnant or have a new baby and you are in need of support you are eligible to participate in CradleME from Maine’s Maternal and Child Health Network.

Visit CradleME

Maine Families

“Maine Families understands that all parents want the best for their babies. Our caring and professional home visitors partner with parents and parents-to-be to access the information and resources that can support the physical and emotional health of their baby and entire family.”

Visit Maine Families

Maine Autism Institute for Education & Research (MAIER)

MAIER was established at the University of Maine in 2014 to build statewide capacity to improve outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through leadership, training, professional development, collaboration, and research.”

Visit Autism Institute

This 24 page booklet explains what Autism is, and what signs to look for, as well as what to do if you suspect your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders

KidsHealth from Nemours

If you’re looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that’s free of “doctor speak,” you’ve come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.”

Visit KidsHealth Site

Zero to Three

“ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.”

Visit Zero to Three Site

CHADD

“We believe in improving the lives of people affected by ADHD.

In working towards our mission, the behavior of the CHADD staff and volunteer leadership is determined by the following core values:

  • Integrity
  • Respectful, open communication
  • Quality of our work product and productivity in our work effort, to assure sustained customer satisfaction
  • Flexibility and teamwork
  • A demonstrated commitment to diversity in all its forms
  • Dedicated to fulfilling CHADD’s mission with passion and enthusiasm”
Visit CHADD Site

Child Mind Institute

“We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We’ve become the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments.”

Visit Child Mind Institute Site

Understood

“To help those who learn and think differently discover their potentials, take control, find community, and stay on positive paths along each stage of life’s journey.”

Visit Understood Site

Center for Parent Information and Resources

“All the materials found on the CPIR Hub have been created and archived for Parent Centers around the country to help them provide support and services to the families they serve. The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other experts—every step of the way, to create products and services that increase Parent Centers’ knowledge and capacity in specific domains.”

Visit Center for Parent Information and Resources Site

NAMI Maine Family Respite Program

“Assisting families by enabling a much needed break in the responsibility of caring for a child with significant developmental delays and behavioral or emotional disorders.

Through a certified provider network, trained per diem staff are available to care for children with special needs in their communities so that their parents can get a break. Qualified applicants can earn extra income while providing short-term relief to families of children with disabilities and special needs.”

Visit Nami Maine Respite Site

Child Care

“OCFS licenses child care providers, oversees Maine’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care providers, and administer’ s Maine’s Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP). ”

Visit Child Care Site