Local Health and Social Service Agencies

A confidential place to talk.

Information and resources.

Shelter and support groups.

Assistance through the court system.

Referral to other support systems.

A safe place when home isn’t safe.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Crisis intervention, court advocacy, office work, handling donations, speaker’s bureau, working with children.

Required training: AWAP will provide training.

Time requirements: Variable.

Volunteer coordinator: Aimee DesRoches (207) 778-6107.

There are no fees or due dates, so those struggling with both the

financial and emotional difficulties of an illness or injury, whether

their own or a loved one's, can rest at ease. An extensive inventory of both equipment and disposable items is available. Please call directly

with your specific needs. Annie's Beanpole accepts gently used medical

equipment, unopened disposable items, and monetary donations (not tax

deductible at this time). Current needs include wheelchair ramps, and

carpenters (or referrals) to build ramps, stairs, etc.

284 Main Street - Suite 390, Wilton, ME 04294

(207)645-5304 or 1-866-397-3350 fax (207) 645-3277.

Children’s and Family Support program serves individuals with Mental Retardation and Autism up to the age of twenty-one (21).

Home health services are available for all ages.

Outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and families at our Wilton facility located in the historic Bass Building in downtown Wilton. The agency has 6 licensed therapists available to meet your mental health needs. No referral is necessary. Please call the office @ 645-5304 to initiate services. Scroll down to learn more about our therapists at Care & Comfort’s Wilton office.

In Home Support services (65M program) is available for children up to age 21 with a major mental health diagnosis who may require more extensive services. The program, available to MaineCare residents, provides individualized services in the home setting for youth and their families. Please call the office @ 645-5304 to initiate referral.

Habilitation program (Section 24). This program serves children up to age 21 with a diagnosis of Mental Retardation or Autism Spectrum Disorders and assists them in activities of daily living in order that they might remain in their homes. Please call the office @ 645-5304 to initiate referral.

Children’s case management. This service, available for high needs children and adolescents with a mental health diagnosis, provides families with targeted support and access to area resources. This program is available for MaineCare residents. There is no additional charge to clients for this service.

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 (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Personal Support Specialists (PSS). Please call the office @ 645-5304 to initiate referral.

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.

About our therapists:

Melissa Catlin, LCSW provides adolescent, adult individual and couples’ outpatient therapy. Melissa has over 10 years of experience in the outpatient setting and specializes in work with trauma, anxiety and depression and facilitates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) groups.

Corey Walmer, LCSW works with all ages with an emphasis on child, adolescent and family needs. She utilizes a variety of approaches including play therapy, cognitive behavioral as well as narrative therapy. She also facilitates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy groups (DBT). She is a member of the National Association for Play Therapy.

Stuart Beddie, LCPC, NCC has over 12 years experience in clinical work with children, adolescents and families dealing with severe emotional and behavioral issues. He specializes in treatment of sexual trauma and sexually aggressive behaviors.

Matthew Deming, LCSW works with all ages and the full spectrum of individual (child, adolescent and adult) and family needs. In addition to carrying an outpatient caseload, Matthew is the Clinical Team Leader for the Waterville and Wilton offices.

Marilyn McKay, LCSW has 28 years of experience as a therapist. She works with all ages. Areas of special interest include adolescents, hypnotherapy, women’s issues, death and dying, AIDS and Gay/Lesbian issues.

Steve Brod, LCSW works with individuals of all ages as well as families and couples. Steve has advanced training in family therapy, crisis stabilization, sexual dysfunction, supervision, trauma debriefing and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

About Care & Comfort

Care & Comfort is a small, family-owned agency with offices in Waterville, Bangor, Presque Isle, Wilton and Machias. The agency, founded in 1992 by Sue Giguere, was awarded the honor of Small Business of the Year in Maine in 2006.

Farmington (Transportation): (207) 779-0594

Farmington, 124 Main St. (Family Support): (207) 779-0919

Farmington (HeadStart) (207) 778-7534

Jay (HeadStart) (207) 897-4258

New Sharon (HeadStart) (207) 778-0395

Wilton Bass Office, 284 Main St. (207) 645-9512 (HeadStart) (207) 645-3284

Main office is located in South Paris. Satellite offices located in Auburn, Rumford and Farmington have various program offices including HeadStart, Transportation and Family Support.

Programs include:

Parenting education

Supported Journey into Recovery

Parent Partners

Project Meditation

Family support

Healthy Beginnings

Community Cares

H.E.A.P. (Fuel Assistance) Fuel assistance is available through Community Concepts for residents of Livermore and Livermore Falls.

Electric and Telephone Lifelines

Finders/Seekers (linking people to child care opportunities)

Homeless Shelter

Head Start programs

REACH program (increase efficiency of energy usage),

Self-Help Home Building program, low income housing for Senior Citizens, and Home weatherization program.

Self help Home Building Program has fees:

No down payment, low mortgage payments, instant equity (up to $20,000), interest rates as low as 1%, low closing costs, energy efficient, 3 Bedrooms.

Programs:

Division of Public Health Nursing,

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.

Alternative School Program, a collaboration with Evergreen and the Livermore Falls and Jay Schools is located in the building previously housing the Jay Schools Administration on Tiger Street in Jay. Children eligible for enrollment are aged 12-17 years of age with significant learning disabilities and severe mental health illness. Staff includes: Special Education Teacher, Therapist (LCSW), Behavior Technician, and oversight by a Child Psychiatrist and Special Education Director. The Educational Program is geared to a student's independent learning (PACE Program) and behavioral models based on individual needs.

Lourdes Soto-Moreno, M.D. Psychiatrist; Jeffrey Leonards, Ph.D - Psychiatrist. 24 Hour Emergency Services.

Crisis hotline available 24-hours a day.

Franklin County Child Development Services 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.

Special Education Services:

For eligible children aged three-five, special education services are Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) and are provided at no cost to the family.

Services include:

Audiology, developmental therapy/special instruction, family training, medical services (limited to diagnostic and evaluative purposes), occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, speech therapy and transportation.

For eligible children age birth through two, early intervention services are provided at no cost to the family or on a sliding fee scale. These services include Free and Appropriate Education services plus the following:

Service coordination, vision services, and nutrition services.

Franklin County Child Development Services may also serve children who have significant delays in the following areas of development:

Cognitive, physical fine motor skills, gross motor skills, speech, language, social/emotional, adaptive, vision, hearing or other chronic health needs.

Parent Support, Home Visiting and School-based Violence Prevention programs:

Growing Healthy Families: provides voluntary support to parents in raising their children from birth to age five through home visits. GHF is a partnership between Franklin Memorial Hospital, and The Children’s Task Force.

Parent Support: support groups, playgroups, and workshops.

Young Parent Support Group: open group for parents under the age of 22.

Parent Support Group: open group for parents, Mondays at 6:00 p.m. at the Franklin County Children’s Task Force. Childcare and snacks provided.

(Other groups develop to meet the needs of the community; call for more details).

Parent Education Classes: seven week class for parent education, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Memorial Hospital. Certificate available upon completion.

Clothing Exchange: bring-a-bag-get-a-bag of children’s clothes, newborn to sizes 4T, and maternity.

Parent Resource Library: books and videos to provide information to parents, children, and professionals.

Rhythms of Children: Infant/toddler play space – a group for parents and children ages 0 – 5 (particularly for children with disabilities).

Parent Warm Line: call toll-free or our local number and talk confidentially about parenting issues.

School-based Violence Prevention - Bullying/Teasing Prevention Project: district-wide effort to prevent child-to-child violence at elementary level and middle school level.

Kids First Program:

Kids First is a four-hour workshop designed for parents (only) to help address concerns and promote reduction of the negative effects of divorce. Participants are encouraged to attend the program as early in the separation or divorce process as possible.

Special Events: Children’s festival, Father/Daughter Dance, Make Tracks for Kids fundraiser.

Parent Education Classes: $30 fee, Registration required.

Kids First Program: $45 per person, Registration required.

Friday 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

If you do not have a doctor, we will help you choose one that participates in this program.

FHA will assign a Personal Health Advocate who will help with healthcare needs and also refer you to other available community resources.

Services are based on a sliding-fee scale, and free self-help information is provided. FHA offers a free ScoreHealth screening for cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart risk factors, and for prescription reimbursements of 50% of your cost up to $100 (maximum). FHA also assist with applications to patient assistance programs for free medications.

Care of acute and chronic illnesses, checkups for the entire family, routine pediatric care, immunizations, school and sports physicals, well-woman exams and routine gynecological care, family planning services, laboratory services, minor surgery, referrals to specialty care and community resources, behavioral health services, and parenting support.

Free vouchers for nicotine patches and gum are available to eligible patients at all eleven HealthReach Community Health Centers (HRCHC), including Kingfield, Rangeley, Strong and Livermore Falls.

Health Centers:

Rangeley Region Health Center (207) 864-3303, Strong Area Health Center (207) 684-4010, Strong Area Dental Center (207) 684-3045, Western Maine Family Health Center (207) 897-4345, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center (207) 265-4555.

A Sliding Fee Program is offered through funding from the U.S Bureau of Primary Health Care. This program, based on family size and income, is available for patients who qualify.

In addition, LEAP offers family support, part-time respite, personal supports, assisted living services, information, training and referral services. LEAP provides training and support for community integration, assistance with activities of daily living, independent living skills, and health care services.

LEAP presently serves over 50 People in Community & Residential Programs:

 Family Support, Information & Referrals – LEAP has provided information, counseling, resources and support to families and individuals seeking services and supports since its’ founding in 1980. LEAP continually serves on several teams of people seeking services.

 Our House – (opened in 1980) a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Home on Anson Street in Farmington, which serves 4 people.

 Woodman Hill – (opened in 1982) a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Home on Woodman Hill Road in Minot, which serves 4 people.

 Franklin Heights – (opened in 1984) a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Home on Belcher Road in Farmington, which serves 4 people.

 Davis Road – (opened in 1987) a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Facility on Davis Road in Farmington, which serves 3 people.

 Stinchfield Hill (Formerly B & K’s House) (opened in 1994 originally) – a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Facility on the Stinchfield Hill Road in Chesterville and is licensed to support 3 people.

 Shared Living Supports - Started in 1997, supporting host families in Phillips, New Vineyard & North Jay.

 Oliver House - (opened in 1997) – a fee for service Licensed Assisted Living Facility on the Farmington Falls Road in Farmington which serves 4 people.

 Community Supports – personal supports and other individualized community based services, which began in 1997. This program supports people in their own homes or apartments from 5 hours to 168 hours each week. LEAP is presently providing these supports for 9 individuals. These supports are available across Franklin County.

 DREAM (Diversified Respite Enrichment Activities program) - a part-time weekend respite program, which began through a Tri-Valley United Way Grant in 1999 for children, teens and adults to participate in local & regional community resources and activities to build independence and gain access.

 Weld Road - (opened in the fall of 2002) a community home for two people under personal supports.

 Keep Road - (Supports began in December of 2002) a community apartment building with two apartments supporting 4 people.

 A & P’s House – (opened in November of 2003) community home for two people under personal supports in North Jay.

 Upper Street – (opened in December of 2004) a community home for two people under personal supports.

 Church Street – (opened in September of 2007) a community home for two people under personal supports on Church Street in Industry.

Support Hours: 24-hours-a-day.

New Beginnings offers a continuum of services including basic shelter, long term transitional living, and outreach services providing case management and assistance with survival needs for youth living on their own.

New Beginnings is a non-profit youth agency located in Lewiston, with a branch in Farmington, Maine.

Established in 1977, New Beginnings is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Since opening its doors in 1980, New Beginnings has grown from a program providing basic shelter care to an agency with a variety of community based services meeting the needs of youth in crisis and their families. The agency receives funding from individual donors, local organizations such as the United way, and state and federal sources.

New Beginnings also provides Residential Services such as Emergency shelters to children ages 12-17. They also provide Transitional Living for developing skills for independent living.

This is available for children ages 16-20. New Beginnings also has HIV prevention and training for youth.

The RCAM also has Summer Mission/Work Groups come to Maine in the summer from all over the country to help the RCAM’s Housing Program with rehabilitation on community homes and other RCAM Projects.

Housing Program: Designed to respond to both the emergency and long term needs in maintaining safe and adequate housing.

Gardening Program: Helps people learn to plan, plant, maintain and harvest their own gardens.

Volunteer Program: Creates an opportunity for individuals to help people in need throughout RCAM’s 13 town service area.

Homelessness Prevention Services Program: Helps people to access the right resources to meet their highest possible level of self sufficiency by identifying needs, helping to set priorities, providing information and encouraging progress.

Emergency Shelter: RCAM operates a two unit emergency homeless shelter for families who find themselves without a place to live.

Faith In Action Program: Coordinates volunteers to provide outreach services to frail elderly and disabled.

Food Banks: The RCAM helps to maintain 13 area Food Banks staffed by community Volunteers.

SeniorsPlus Connections – free information and assistance. Our goal is to help you live well in your community. There are numerous services and resources available to help you do that. However, it is often overwhelming to find and access them on your own. Our experts will help you with up-to-date information, a plan of action, assistance with the application process and eligibility determination, if any, for those resources. Just one call to SeniorsPlus – 1-800-427-1241.

Nutrition Programs – SeniorsPlus is the provider of Meals on Wheels to older adults and adults with disabilities who are unable to prepare meals, and provides social dining at multiple locations throughout the three counties.

Medicare Assistance – We are the Medicare experts. If you have questions about Medicare Parts A, B, C or D, SeniorsPlus can help you. We provide community education, as well as one-on-one appointments to help people make decisions on the best coverage for them, and to help resolve Medicare questions and concerns.

Caregiver Support – SeniorsPlus provides education, connections, support groups and respite services for people caring for another person.

Wilton Community Center – The SeniorsPlus Wilton Community Center houses the kitchen for our nutrition programs, is a daily lunchtime dining site, and is a site for education, activities, exercise programs and one-on-one assistance. It’s located at 251 U.S. Rte 2, and the center is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. The phone number is 645-3315 or 1-888-234-3921 (toll free).

Volunteer Opportunities – Community members can find many opportunities to assist in carrying out the services of SeniorsPlus. From Meals on Wheels drivers to computer experts to financial counselors to customer service representatives to home repair persons, SeniorsPlus counts on community members to help provide its services and make quality of life available to more older adults and adults with disabilities. For volunteer opportunities, call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241.

Trauma Recovery and Empowerment support groups are provided for both the women and men, and support groups for teens are available through the high schools throughout Franklin county. SAVES School-Based Advocate spends one day each week in each of the high schools to meet with students who need support. Programs to help people understand and reduce the risk of sexual assault are offered to students and residents throughout Franklin County.

Victims of sexual assault or abuse (and their family or friends) can access services through SAVES 24-hour, toll-free Hotline.

Clients are never charged for the services SAVES provides.

Support groups:

Women’s Empowerment Group

Creative Recovery for Women

Men’s Survivor Support Groups

Survivors of Incest, Sexual Abuse & Rape Support.

Tri-County Mental Health will maximize service accessibility, availability and efficiency through partnership with consumers, families, communities, health and human service providers and payees.

Other services:

Inpatient services, day treatment and rehabilitation services, emergency services, respite care services, residential services, outpatient services, employee assistance program, substance abuse services, community support services, mental retardation program, geriatric programs, school age case management, early intervention, intensive case management, adult counseling, children and family services, infant mental health services, consultant and training programs.

The local United Way provides funds in the form of annual allocations to twenty-two member organizations that provide health and human service programs to the communities of Franklin County, Livermore, and Livermore Falls. Funds are also distributed according to donor request to other charitable organizations that provide health and human services in Maine. Special funding is also distributed when available through venture grants to new programs and initiatives that deal with persisting or emerging health or human service needs in the Tri-Valley service area.

In addition to its fund raising and fund distribution programs, the local United Way maintains a listing of volunteer opportunities available at local non-profit organizations. A booklet is also available that lists a variety of agency representatives who can speak at community meetings and events regarding current health and human service issues that effect our local area. The local United Way is also very active in several community building initiatives including the Franklin County Mentoring Alliance, the Maine Leave A Legacy Program and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program at Franklin County.

Central Heating Improvement Program

Child Care Systems

Information and Referral

Fuel Assistance

Low Interest Home Improvement Loans

Tri-County Health Services

Weatherization Programs

WIC Nutrition Program

Career Center

Family Development Accounts

Revolving Loan Program

Maine’s American Dream Initiative (first time homebuyer program)

Home Buyer Education

Affordable Homes

Elderly Hardship Grant

Home Preservation Grant

Oil Tank Replacement

Maine Association of Realtors Grants

ARP - Appliance Replacement Program

and Volunteerism.

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.

Volunteer department administers a variety of programs including Operation Santa Claus, Seeds of Life, Food Pantries, Senior Farm Share, Grow A Row, Gleaning and Western Maine Tax Assistance Program. The volunteer department also offers support to other programs within the agency.