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/EI for ME system ensures the provision of special education rules, federal and state regulations statewide, through a network of regional sites.

In collaboration with families and professionals throughout Maine, we provide transformative learning, language-focused education, and opportunities for social-emotional growth, empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals birth to 22 to reach their full potential.

The Maine Newborn Hearing Program (MNHP) is part of the Maine CDC, Department of Health and Human Services. The MNHP coordinates newborn hearing screening programs and follow-up of infants with hearing loss.

Educating, empowering, and supporting Maine’s diverse families, children, and youth, especially those with disabilities, special healthcare needs, or other challenges, ages birth to 26, and the professionals who serve them, to ensure effective services and successful outcomes.

We are a collaborative system that enables infants, children, and youth who are deafblind to participate meaningfully in their homes, schools, and communities. We provide free services in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Counseling and Case Management Services are provided by mental health clinicians and case managers who are skilled in American Sign Language (ASL), Cued Speech, Sign Exact English, Spoken English, and familiar with Deaf culture. The team has been trained in various Evidenced based treatment with culture sensitivity. Our staff is aware of the unique needs of members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community, and the diversity that exists within that community. Additional services is provided such as training, education, and consultation to providers, organization, and families around child development, advocacy, accessibility, mental health, and culture.

The mission of the Percival P. Baxter Foundation for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing children is to benefit, support and enhance programs and services for children with hearing loss in Maine, their families, and provide professional development training for the professionals with whom they work.

Maine Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing without bias around communication opportunities, agencies they work with or services their children receive. We are a parent-driven and led non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and hard of hearing children to reach their highest potential.

The mission of the Percival P. Baxter Foundation for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing children is to benefit, support and enhance programs and services for children with hearing loss in Maine, their families, and provide professional development training for the professionals with whom they work.

Families may be able to take advantage of the Bilateral and Unilateral Genetic Hearing Loss Study (BAGHL) through Boston Children's Hospital to have genetic testing completed for their children. Families do not have to be patients at Boston Children's Hospital to participate, though the initial appointment will be at Boston Children's with the rest able to be done virtually. This testing is free for children identified as deaf or hard of hearing. Contact BAGHLstudy@childrens.harvard.edu if you are interested.

The Dorothy Ames Trust Fund assists deaf children in New England by providing funding for hearing aids or remote microphone technology. The following documentation necessary for applicants:

1. Copy of an audiologist report

2. Note or statement of need from the parent (providing background information, context, and a supporting story that shows need)

3. Estimate or invoice for the equipment/services

4. Parents most recent tax return, signed

For more information, please contact:

Ryan Glass
KPB TRUST OFFICER
66 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207
(866)238-8650
Ryan_Glass@keybank.com