New England Consortium of Deafblind Projects

There are several organizations available for parents and families of children who are deafblind in Maine.

Maine Deafblind Project
Regional Office
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-972-7515 Phone
617-972-7354 Fax

Cheryl Harvey, Project Assistant
617-972-7515
nec@perkins.org

Catholic Charities Maine
1066 Kenduskeag Avenue
Bangor, ME 04401
(617) 972-7514
www.ccmaine.org

Jean Small, Program Director
jsmall@ccmaine.org

Family Specialist, Position Open

Maine Parent Federation Parent Information Center
484 Maine Ave, #1
Farmingdale, ME 04344
800-870-7746
207-588-1933
http://www.mpf.org/

The Maine Parent Federation is a statewide private non-profit organization that provides information, advocacy, education, and training to parents and professionals to benefit all children. We promote individual aspirations and community inclusion for people with disabilities. In existence since 1984, MPF is physically located in Augusta Maine, but assistance is available on a statewide basis. Brochure

Child Development Services Part C Agency (Birth to Age Three)
Department of Education
State House Station #146
Augusta, ME 04333
207-624-6660 Phone
207-624-6661 Fax
Debra Hannigan, Director
800-355-8611
debra.hannigan@maine.gov
http://www.maine.gov/educational/speced/cds/index.html

Provides in-home support, preschool programs, and case management for children with disabilities from birth through 5 years of age. Regional offices are located in each county in the state.

Maine Department of Education
Office of Special Services
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Tel: (207) 624-6650 (V)
TTY: (207) 624-6800
Fax: (207) 624-6651
David Noble Stockford, Director
http://maine.gov/education/speced/index.htm

Develops policy according to federal and state laws to provide all children with disabilities, between ages 5 and 20, with equal education opportunities. They are also responsible for statewide coordination of child identification activities, and responsible for special education regulations and revisions. Technical assistance is available to public or private agencies to provide and improve special education services to all children with a disability requiring special education.

A Due Process Consultant is available to initiate a hearing, request mediation or file a complaint regarding the provision of special education services.

DBVI provides vocational rehabilitation, educational consultation services, independent living services and training to blind and visually impaired consumers of all ages. Counselors and blindness specialty staff are located in regional offices throughout the state.

Disability Rights Center
P.O. Box 2007
Augusta, ME 04338-2007
Tel: 207-626-2774
800-452-1948
http://www.drcme.org/

DRC's mission is to enhance and promote the equality, self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with disabilities through education, strategic advocacy and legal intervention.

The Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services provides and supports community-based and residential services to consumers with behavioral and developmental needs. BDS organizes its community-based services in the state into three regions. BDS contracts with providers in each region to deliver services to consumers.

Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
150 State House Station
Augusta, 04333-0150
Telephone: 1-800-698-4440
Toll Free TTY: 1-888-755-0023
FAX: (207) 287-5292
http://www.maine.gov/rehab/index.shtml

Maine CITE (Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange) provides information, training, and peer support to help people with disabilities to obtain and maintain adaptive devices, equipment and services (assistive technology).

National Family Association for Deafblind (NFADB)
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
800.255.0411 | 516.883.9060 Fax
NFADB@aol.com
http://www.nfadb.org/contacttxt.html

NFADB is a national network of families who focus on issues surrounding deafblindness. NFADB advocates for all persons who are deafblind, supports national policy to benefit people who are deafblind and encourages the founding and strengthening of family organizations in each state.

New England INDEX
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center
John Rochford, Director of Technology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
200 Trapelo Road | Waltham, MA 02452-6319
781-642-0255 | 781-642-0122 Fax | 800-764-0200 TTY
techinfo@neindex.org
http://www.neindex.org/contactus.html

A project of the University of Massachusetts Medical School at the Shriver Center - UMASS. INDEX is a free information and referral service for people with disabilities. INDEX is a collection of the largest, the most complete and the most up-to-date databases of disability services in Massachusetts. INDEX is the coordinator of the Massachusetts Network of Information Providers (MNIP), a collections of disability agencies that coordinate information and referral efforts. Information available includes a resource database of programs and agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities and Consultant Registry, Physician Registry and a Dental Registry. Visit the web site for more information. www.disability info.org call 800-642-0249 or 781-642-0248 or email them at: info@disabilityinfo.org

NICHCY
1825 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009
1.800.695.0285 Toll-free, Voice/TTY | 202.884.8200 Voice/TTY | 202.884.8441 Fax
nichcy@fhi360.org
Website in English: nichcy.org
Website in Spanish: nichcy.org/espanol/

The center provides information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22). Anyone can use our services—families, educators, administrators, journalists, students.

Special Child: This online publication provides educational resources and support to parents and caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities. You can read and share stories with other parents and providers, as well as locate useful resources and products. Special Child is provided by The Resource Foundation for Children with Challenges (RFCC), a nonprofit charity organization.

ALLIANCE National Parent Technical Assistance Center (NPTAC)
PACER Center
8161 Normandale Blvd | Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
952.838.9000 | National Toll Free 888.248.0822 | TTY 952.838.0190| Fax 952.838.0199
alliance@taalliance.org
http://www.parentcenternetwork.org/national/resources.html

Help with vision and/or hearing testing.

e-ADVISOR Coordinating Center
Children's Hospital Boston
Department of Ophthalmology | Fegan Building, 4th Floor | 300 Longwood Ave |
Boston MA, 02115

e-ADVISOR website is to Assist the Development of Visually Impaired Students through Online Resources. Parent Link, Teacher Link, Doctor Link Effective communication among parents, teachers and doctors is the major goal of the ADVISOR project.

Link Maine: Link Maine provides information regarding events and services related to disabilities in the State of Maine.

Other services in Maine click for a link for doctors, dentist etc.

Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care
6917 Arlington Road | Suite 309 | Bethesda, MD 20814
301.652.0281 | 301.652.0186 Fax |
institute@ipfcc.org
http://www.ipfcc.org/about/pinsponsor.html

The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, a non-profit organization founded in 1992, takes pride in providing essential leadership to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care. By promoting collaborative, empowering relationships among patients, families, and health care professionals, the Institute facilitates patient- and family-centered change in all settings where individuals and families receive care and support.

Provide aids for the deaf covering a range of hearing disabilities. We also offer useful information on the site. Joan the Audiologist a registered (Health professions Council) is actively writing a blog about deafness and hearing loss at www.hearingdirect.com/blog/

This site focuses on understanding systems, access to quality health care, and increasing the involvement of youth. It also includes provider preparation plus tools and resources needed to make more informed choices!

Deafblind Resource Guide for Maine
Working with its partners in the Maine Department of Labor's CareerCenter and the rehabilitation community, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) works with persons with disabilities through its three primary service provision units:
http://www.abilitymaine.org/guides/deafblind.html


		Where to Start in Maine? There are several organizations available for parents and families of children who are deafblind in Maine. Maine Deafblind Project Regional Office 175 North Beacon Street Watertown, MA 02472 617-972-7515 Phone 617-972-7354 Fax Tracy Evans Luiselli, Project Director 617-972-7517 Tracy.Luiselli@perkins.org Cheryl Harvey, Project Assistant 617-972-7515 nec@perkins.org Catholic Charities Maine 1066 Kenduskeag Avenue Bangor, ME 04401 (617) 972-7514 www.ccmaine.org Jean Small, Program Director jsmall@ccmaine.org Family Specialist, Position Open State Agencies Maine Parent Federation Parent Information Center 484 Maine Ave, #1 Farmingdale, ME 04344 800-870-7746 207-588-1933 http://www.mpf.org/ The Maine Parent Federation is a statewide private non-profit organization that provides information, advocacy, education, and training to parents and professionals to benefit all children. We promote individual aspirations and community inclusion for people with disabilities. In existence since 1984, MPF is physically located in Augusta Maine, but assistance is available on a statewide basis. Brochure Child Development Services Part C Agency (Birth to Age Three) Department of Education State House Station #146 Augusta, ME 04333 207-624-6660 Phone 207-624-6661 Fax Debra Hannigan, Director 800-355-8611 debra.hannigan@maine.gov http://www.maine.gov/educational/speced/cds/index.html Provides in-home support, preschool programs, and case management for children with disabilities from birth through 5 years of age. Regional offices are located in each county in the state. Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services 23 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0023 Tel: (207) 624-6650 (V) TTY: (207) 624-6800 Fax: (207) 624-6651 David Noble Stockford, Director http://maine.gov/education/speced/index.htm Develops policy according to federal and state laws to provide all children with disabilities, between ages 5 and 20, with equal education opportunities. They are also responsible for statewide coordination of child identification activities, and responsible for special education regulations and revisions. Technical assistance is available to public or private agencies to provide and improve special education services to all children with a disability requiring special education. A Due Process Consultant is available to initiate a hearing, request mediation or file a complaint regarding the provision of special education services. Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) 2 Anthony Avenue 150 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0150 Tel: 1-800-698-4440 (V/TTY) (207) 624-5959 Fax: (207) 624-5980 Kate Grogan, Bureau Director Harold J. Lewis, Division Director Paul Cote, Program Manager/Field Operations Manager Email: paul.e.cote@maine.gov http://www.state.me.us/rehab/ DBVI provides vocational rehabilitation, educational consultation services, independent living services and training to blind and visually impaired consumers of all ages. Counselors and blindness specialty staff are located in regional offices throughout the state. DBVI Education Consultants Alice Gay DBVI 2 Anthony Ave. Augusta, ME 04333 Tel: (207) 624-5145 (V) Agay760474@aol.com Jeff Jones DBVI 45A Oak Street, Suite 1 Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 561-4021 (V) Jeffrey.A.Jones@maine.gov DBVI education consultants process referrals of children and youth who are blind and visually impaired. They play an advocacy role, particularly with transition issues. Disability Rights Center P.O. Box 2007 Augusta, ME 04338-2007 Tel: 207-626-2774 800-452-1948 http://www.drcme.org/ DRC's mission is to enhance and promote the equality, self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with disabilities through education, strategic advocacy and legal intervention. Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services Augusta, ME 04333 Tel: (207) 287-4200 http://www.accessmaine.org/MEStateSystem/mestate_BDS.htm The Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services provides and supports community-based and residential services to consumers with behavioral and developmental needs. BDS organizes its community-based services in the state into three regions. BDS contracts with providers in each region to deliver services to consumers. Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 150 State House Station Augusta, 04333-0150 Telephone: 1-800-698-4440 Toll Free TTY: 1-888-755-0023 FAX: (207) 287-5292 http://www.maine.gov/rehab/index.shtml Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Independent Living Services Program Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) Vocational Rehabilitation Program for people who are blind or have a visual impairment Education Program for children who are blind or have a visual impairment Business Enterprise Program Independent Living Programs Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened (DOD) Programs and Services Resource Guide Maine CITE Coordinating Center University College 46 University Drive Augusta, ME 04333 Tel: (207) 621-3195 (V) TTY: (207) 621-3482 Fax: (207) 621-3193 Email: K.Powers@maine.edu Website: http://www.mainecite.org/ Maine CITE (Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange) provides information, training, and peer support to help people with disabilities to obtain and maintain adaptive devices, equipment and services (assistive technology). National/Federal Agencies Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults Mary Ellen Barbiasz 781.259.7100 \| 516.944.8637 TTY \| 866.596.8748 \| 516.570.3614 Videophone \| 516.944.7302 Fax HKNC1meb@comcast.net hkncinfo@hknc.org http://www.hknc.org/org Helen Keller is the only agency that provides vocational and rehabilitation services on a national basis exclusively to youths and adults who are deaf-blind. For more information on programs and services in New England contact National Family Association for Deafblind (NFADB) 141 Middle Neck Road Sands Point, NY 11050 800.255.0411 \| 516.883.9060 Fax NFADB@aol.com http://www.nfadb.org/contacttxt.html NFADB is a national network of families who focus on issues surrounding deafblindness. NFADB advocates for all persons who are deafblind, supports national policy to benefit people who are deafblind and encourages the founding and strengthening of family organizations in each state. New England INDEX Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center John Rochford, Director of Technology University of Massachusetts Medical School 200 Trapelo Road \| Waltham, MA 02452-6319 781-642-0255 \| 781-642-0122 Fax \| 800-764-0200 TTY techinfo@neindex.org http://www.neindex.org/contactus.html A project of the University of Massachusetts Medical School at the Shriver Center - UMASS. INDEX is a free information and referral service for people with disabilities. INDEX is a collection of the largest, the most complete and the most up-to-date databases of disability services in Massachusetts. INDEX is the coordinator of the Massachusetts Network of Information Providers (MNIP), a collections of disability agencies that coordinate information and referral efforts. Information available includes a resource database of programs and agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities and Consultant Registry, Physician Registry and a Dental Registry. Visit the web site for more information. www.disability info.org call 800-642-0249 or 781-642-0248 or email them at: info@disabilityinfo.org NICHCY 1825 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20009 1.800.695.0285 Toll-free, Voice/TTY \| 202.884.8200 Voice/TTY \| 202.884.8441 Fax nichcy@fhi360.org Website in English: nichcy.org Website in Spanish: nichcy.org/espanol/ The center provides information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22). Anyone can use our services—families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. Special Child: This online publication provides educational resources and support to parents and caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities. You can read and share stories with other parents and providers, as well as locate useful resources and products. Special Child is provided by The Resource Foundation for Children with Challenges (RFCC), a nonprofit charity organization. ALLIANCE National Parent Technical Assistance Center (NPTAC) PACER Center 8161 Normandale Blvd \| Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044 952.838.9000 \| National Toll Free 888.248.0822 \| TTY 952.838.0190\| Fax 952.838.0199 alliance@taalliance.org http://www.parentcenternetwork.org/national/resources.html Region One: Northeast Parent Center Assistance and Collaboration Team (NE-PACT) 35 Halsey Street, 4th Floor \| Newark, NJ 07102 973.642.8100 \| 973.642.8080 Fax \| 800.654.7726 Toll Free PTAC@SPAN http://www.parentcenternetwork.org/region1/aboutus.html northeastern states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island , and Vermont Offers technical assistance for OSEP-funded Parent Centers to enhance their capacity to provide effective services for families of children with special needs and to work effectively with state agencies in improving services for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in their communities and states. Vision/Hearing Services Help with vision and/or hearing testing. e-ADVISOR Coordinating Center Children's Hospital Boston Department of Ophthalmology \| Fegan Building, 4th Floor \| 300 Longwood Ave \| Boston MA, 02115 Children's Hospital Ophthalmology \| Anne Fulton, MD \| 617-735-5746 Media Communications \| Dixon Yun \| 617-355-7484 \| 617-730-0392 Fax advisor@childrens.harvard.edu http://www.e-advisor.us/ e-ADVISOR website is to Assist the Development of Visually Impaired Students through Online Resources. Parent Link, Teacher Link, Doctor Link Effective communication among parents, teachers and doctors is the major goal of the ADVISOR project. Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons 30 Association Drive Manchester , ME 04358 Local Telephone: (207) 622-3374 Website: http://www.maineeyemds.com/ Maine Optometric Association RR #1, Box 2675 Pleasant Pond Lane Litchfield, ME 04350-9730 Local Telephone: (207) 582-9910 Website: http://www.maineeyedoctors.com/ Link Maine: Link Maine provides information regarding events and services related to disabilities in the State of Maine. Other services in Maine click for a link for doctors, dentist etc. Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care 6917 Arlington Road \| Suite 309 \| Bethesda, MD 20814 301.652.0281 \| 301.652.0186 Fax \| institute@ipfcc.org http://www.ipfcc.org/about/pinsponsor.html The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, a non-profit organization founded in 1992, takes pride in providing essential leadership to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care. By promoting collaborative, empowering relationships among patients, families, and health care professionals, the Institute facilitates patient- and family-centered change in all settings where individuals and families receive care and support. Hearing Direct The Estate Office \| Old Stockbridge Road \| Sutton Scotney \| Hampshire SO21 3JW outside UK + (00) 44 1962 761317 web@hearingdirect.com http://www.hearingdirect.com/ Provide aids for the deaf covering a range of hearing disabilities. We also offer useful information on the site. Joan the Audiologist a registered (Health professions Council) is actively writing a blog about deafness and hearing loss at www.hearingdirect.com/blog/ Help Finding Work Healthy and Ready to Work 207.992-8254 http://web.syntiro.org/hrtw//?n=hrtw/ This site focuses on understanding systems, access to quality health care, and increasing the involvement of youth. It also includes provider preparation plus tools and resources needed to make more informed choices! Deafblind Resource Guide for Maine Working with its partners in the Maine Department of Labor's CareerCenter and the rehabilitation community, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) works with persons with disabilities through its three primary service provision units: http://www.abilitymaine.org/guides/deafblind.html
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