There are a number of programs that can help parents improve their parenting skills. These include:
The Franklin County Children’s Task Force is a private non-profit agency committed to strengthening families, preventing child abuse and neglect through mobilizing community resources and advocating for and providing services that promote healthy children and families. Phone: (207) 778-6960 or Email: [email protected], 113 Church St., Farmington, Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-4:30 p.m. Friday 8-1 p.m.
Staff work with local district elementary and middle schools helping facilitate a nonviolent learning atmosphere.
Parent Education: Contact us a 778-6960 or Email: fcctf@fcctf.org for more information or to sign up.
Growing Healthy Families: A partnership with Franklin Community Health Network designed especially to support first-time parents of children from birth to age five.
Parent Talk Line: 778-6960, parents are encouraged to call.
Parent Resource Library: Parenting information in the form of books, videos, pamphlets, and other written material for parents and professionals.
Kids First Program: A four-hour workshop designed to help address problems and promote the reduction of the negative effects of divorce. For parents only. There is a fee charged for this program.
Franklin County Child Development Services (CDS) is a non-profit agency that provides services for families and children (from birth to the age of five) that are handicapped or at the risk of having developmental delays. CDS provides services with adaptive development, vision and hearing problems, communication, social/emotional development, and cognitive problems. CDS can also provide aids for eating, bathroom equipment, adaptive furniture, mobility aids, speech aids, and recreational aids. Phone: (207) 778-6262 or 1-800-561-1165, 144 High St., Farmington, Hours: Monday-Friday 8-4 p.m.
Head Start provides a wide range of services to children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to bring out a greater degree of ability in young children of low-income families. Phone: (207) 645-9512 or 1-800-427-1251 ext. 4114, 284 Main St. Suite 110, Wilton.
Early Head Start: Early Head Start offers activities for expectant mothers and families with children birth to three years of age.
Preschool Head Start: Preschool Head Start is a child development program focusing on educational, social, health and nutritional needs of children ages 3-5.
HomeStart: HomeStart is a program that provides an experienced Family Childcare Provider and a Head Start Home Visitor who work together as a team to offer each child and family early childhood programming that includes health services, parent involvement, and social service coordination.
There are a number of mentoring programs in the area that you can contact for more information. These are listed below.
What is a mentor?
A mentor is a concerned adult taking the time to listen and to help guide a young person to develop a successful career/life plan.
Maine Mentoring Partnership: The Maine Mentoring Partnership promotes, advocates, fosters and supports child and youth mentoring programs throughout Maine. The MMP was created in 2001 and is a statewide public and private partnership of mentors, government, funders and supporters throughout Maine. Phone: (207) 287-7669 or 1-888-387-8755, PO Box 406, Augusta
Pathway Partners: Pathway Partners Program is about teaching skills to young people to create a brighter future for our communities and economy. To help middle and high school students in MSAD #58. Phone: (207) 678-2455, RR1 Box 760, Strong. Contact: Gary Perlson.
JUMP Mentoring Program: A junior mentor is a concerned person taking the time to listen and to help middle school aged youth to develop a successful career/life plan. JUMP was created to serve the youth of MSAD#58’s Phillips Middle School. Qualified and trained high school youth mentor middle school youth (grades 4-8).
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County: Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a preventative program based on one-to-one relationships between an adult volunteer and a child at-risk. The agency also provides alternative mentoring opportunities (site-based) with flexibility and also supports youth development activities. A program for local youth ages 8-12 and 16-21.
Phone: (207) 562-8193 or 562-8296, 34 B Pine St., Dixfield. Contact: Nancy Carpenter
Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a preventative program based on one-to-one relationships between an adult volunteer and a child at-risk. The agency also provides alternative mentoring opportunities (site-based) with flexibility and also supports youth development activities. Clients: Local youth ages 8-12. Phone: (207) 782-5437, 24 Falcon Dr., Auburn, email:[email protected] website: http://www.childhealthcenter.org Contact: Susan Webster.
Care & Comfort’s mission is to provide quality home health and mental health care. Our services are delivered by skilled, compassionate professionals. Services include: Outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and families; in home support services available for children up to age 21 with a major mental health diagnosis who may require more extensive services; habilitation program serves children up to age 21 with a diagnosis of Mental Retardation or Autism Spectrum Disorders assisting them in activities of daily living in order that they might remain in their homes; children’s case management for high needs children and adolescents with a mental health diagnosis, provides families with targeted support and access to area resources.
Home Health Services are provided in home to assist clients with activities of daily living and nursing services. Home health care is staffed by Registered Nurses ( RNs), Licensed Practice Nurses. Home Modification Specialists of Maine offers services to help clients maintain more independence and meet the needs of family members. Available services include installation of adaptive aids such as ramps, grab bars etc., repairs, remodeling, painting, yard work and more. Phone: (207) 645-5304; 1-866-397-3350 (toll free), 284 Main Street, Suite 390, Wilton.
Career Center assists young people ages 14 through 21 to acquire and advance in productive jobs through tutoring and study skills training, alternative secondary school services, summer employment opportunities that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning, paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skill training, leadership development, support services, adult mentoring during and after participation, comprehensive guidance and counseling. Phone: (207) 645-5800; 1-800-982-4311 (toll free) TTY: (207) 645-5806, 865 US Route 2, East Wilton.
Community Concepts is a Maine non-profit community action agency dedicated to helping people to help themselves. Since 1965, Community Concepts, Inc. has offered a variety of social services that promote self-sufficiency within the people of the communities of Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties of Maine. Their focus is to coordinate, collaborate, and to focus resources to help people in need build opportunities for a better tomorrow.
Programs include: Parenting education, Supported Journey into Recovery, Parent Partners, Project Meditation, Family support, Healthy Beginnings, Community Cares, Head Start programs (see below) Phone: (207) 779-0919 (Family Support); 124 Main street, Farmington Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Programs: East Wilton Center (A Community Concepts Head Start Facility): Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children of low-income families.
Clients: Young children of low-income families requiring child care. Phone: (207) 645-9884; 20B Church Street East Wilton East Wilton Home Start (A Community Concepts Head Start Facility): Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children of low-income families.
Clients: Young children of low-income families requiring child care. Phone: (207) 645-9512 ext.4117; Bass-Wilson Building 284 Main Street, Wilton Farmington Center (A Community Concepts Head Start Facility): Services: Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children of low-income families. This facility is coming soon.
Clients: Young children of low-income families requiring child care. Phone: (207) 645-9512 ext. 4133; Cascade Leisure Park Farmington Farmington New Sharon Head Start Center (a Community Concepts Head Start Facility): Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children of low-income families.
Clients: Young children of low-income families requiring child care. Phone: (207) 778-0395; 11 School Street New Sharon.
4-H is the youth development, education program for the University Cooperative Extension. 4-H participants usually range from ages of 5 to 19 (some animal clubs the minimum age is 9 to show in fairs). They usually organize themselves into 4-H clubs to support each other as they take on "Learn-by-doing" projects. On occasion, there are members who prefer to work independently with help from the University Cooperative Extension or clubs. Young people can also become involved in 4-H through school enrichment programs and 4-H camps. 4-H teaches young people life skills necessary for success in life. For more information about how you can become involved in 4-H, contact your County’s University Cooperative Extension office. Address: 147 Farmington Falls Rd., Office 2 Farmington, ME 04938 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.umext.maine.edu/franklin4HContact: Judy Smith.
Franklin County Child Development Services (CDS) is committed to providing a family-focused approach in serving preschool children with special needs. The goal of the CDS is to provide individualized services and to ensure that the needs of each child and family are met. CDS encourages families to participate in promoting the growth and development of their child. CDS screens, evaluates, and provides services for children with disabilities, aged birth through 5.
Services include: Developmental screenings (in-office), evaluations, special, service coordination to support the family and monitor the child’s progress, transition planning and assistance with public school entry, family focused approach in serving children with disabilities and their families, on-site speech and language therapy, and on-site contracted psychological testing and consultation. Phone: (207) 778-6262 or 1-800-561-1165; 144 Main St., Farmington, Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
DHHS is a state agency, which administers programs to supplement income and to protect the well-being of children, dependent adults, and the elderly. Programs include: Bureau of Family Independence, Alternative Aid Assistance, ASPIRE, Food Stamps, MaineCare (Medicaid), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Emergency Assistance, and Parents as Scholars (PAS). Referrals to other DHHS services from the local office include: Children’s Emergency Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Protective Services, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery and Nursing Home/Boarding Home Services. Phone: (207) 778-8400; 1-800-442-6382 (toll free); 114 Corn Shop Lane Farmington.
Franklin County Children’s Task Force: The Franklin County Children’s Task Force is a private non-profit agency committed to strengthening families, preventing child abuse and neglect through mobilizing community resources and advocating for and providing services that promote healthy children and families. Phone: (207) 778-6960 or 1-888-429-6960, 113 Church St., Farmington, Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-4:30 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Young Hearts Parent and Child Play Group: The Young Hearts Parent and Child Play Group is a safe place where children and parents can learn and play together. The group meets on a regular basis to have discussions and seek support from other parents. Some of the activities that are done at the playgroup are games, music, story time, parent workshops, field trips and crafts.
Growing Healthy Families: Growing Healthy Families is a free voluntary home visiting program for all first time parents living in the Franklin County area, and for parents under the age of 22 having a second child (if they had home visits with the first child). Trained staff will come to your home as often as needed to provide support and tips for the baby’s growth and development up to the age of five. Growing Healthy Families can provide fun activities for parents and baby’s, baby care tips, guidance throughout the baby’s development, what to expect each month with the baby’s growth, playgroups and other special events to help the parents learn about the baby’s development.
Nurturing Fathers Program: The Nurturing Fathers Program is a fifteen week course that will teach the fathers communication, respect, how to find techniques for dealing with challenging behaviors, and how to have fun and enjoy each other. Fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and their children can participate in the nurturing fathers program.
Kids First Program: The Kids First program is a four hour workshop for parents designed to help address problems and reduce the negative effects of separation and divorce on children. The Kids First program can help parents with information about how to assist their children with needs as the marital and family roles change, and how to talk to children about the change.
Bullying and Teasing Prevention Program: The Bullying Teasing and Prevention program is a school-based violence prevention program that helps students to learn effective ways for responding to bullying behavior. This program will also teach students how to be kinder and more helpful towards each other, not to bully or tease others, and how to tell an adult if someone is being bullied or teased.
Western Maine Community Action: Western Maine Community Action is one of the State’s vital community action programs offering numerous ways to improve the community’s quality of life. Individuals/families who wish to pursue greater self-sufficiency in areas such as: education, employment, legal issues, finances, shelter, substance use/abuse, relationships, spirituality, nutrition, child care, health, parenting, transportation, mental health, children’s education. Their programs for children include: Child Care Systems, WIC Nutrition Program, Career Center, Family Development Accounts. WIC (Women, Infants and Children) - Case management/mentoring resources, assessment of nutritional needs, nutritional and health information and referrals, height, weight, and hemoglobin assessment. Vouchers issued for milk, cereal, juice, cheese, etc. Intended to be a supplemental nutritional program. Prenatal, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and their children under age 5, who are 185% of the poverty guidelines and have nutritional or medical needs. Phone: (207) 645-3764; 1-800-645-9636 (toll free), 20 Church Street, East Wilton Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m.
Greater Franklin County Local Case Review Committee Children’s Cabinet: The Greater Franklin County Local Case Review Committee is a resource for families with children with special needs, who require special services; at risk for potential removal from the home due to unmet needs and are currently receiving two or more services from State agencies. The resources of the Local Case Review Committee can be accessed after all other resources are exhausted. A family can apply directly and can be its own advocate or ask a representative from another agency that it is already connected with to be an advocate. The Local Case Review Committee may be able to provide an advocate to assist the family if necessary and if a volunteer is available. Families applying through the Children’s Cabinet are encouraged to attend a review committee meeting whenever possible. Phone: (207) 778-5048, 232 Broadway Farmington, E-mail: [email protected]
Life Enrichment Advancing People, Inc. (LEAP):
Supports people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation in small and individualized community support programs. All services assist the consumers to gain independence and build on existing skills and strengths.
Phone: (207) 778-3443 or 1-888-688-0268, PO Box 979, 313 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine 04938. Contact: Rick Dorian, Executive Director.
Web Site: http://www.leapcommunity.org/.
Work First Inc.: Work First Inc. helps to promote the fullest development of an individual’s personal growth, social responsibility, independent living and vocational development. Work First Inc. also helps to provide strategies to help people with disabilities develop relationships, increase their control over their lives and gain positive roles in the community.
Phone: (207) 778-3200, Wilton Rd. Farmington, Hours: Monday-Friday 8-3 p.m. Contact: Linda LaRue-Keniston
RM-Transition: To identify and assist youth and young adults ages 14-25 with disabilities is a successful transition to community involvement by creating opportunities and promoting personal choice.
Phone/Fax: (207) 597-3062, 1355 Auburn Rd Ste 4, Turner, ME 04282.
Adult Mental Retardation Services:
Region 2
Augusta
(Kennebec & Somerset Counties)
Phone: (207) 287-2205 or 1-800-232-0944, TTY: 207-287-1798, State House Station 60, Augusta, Me 04333
Lewiston
(Androscoggin, Franklin & Oxford Counties)
Phone: (207) 753-9100 or 1-800-866-1803, TTY: (207) 753-9102, 15 Mollison Way, Lewiston, Me 04240
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Franklin County: Phone: (207) 778-8400, 114 Corn Shop Lane, Farmington, Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m. Androscoggin County (Livermore and Livermore Falls residents): Phone: (207) 795-4300 or 1-800-482-7517, 200 Main St., Lewiston, Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m.
Kennebec County (Vienna residents): Phone: (207) 624-8000 or
1-800-452-1926, 35 Anthony Ave., Augusta, Hours: Monday-Friday
8-5 p.m.
