Resources
This page is designed to provide links to resources available to parents and professionals and organizations who work with parents and families. It will be updated periodically as we discover new resources.
For Parents & Families:
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) has resources through the Office of Child & Family Services for childcare, children’s behavioral health, child welfare, improving outcomes for youth, and violence prevention resources. Search for your local DHHS office here.
Learn about Financial Assistance for Families including TANF, LIHEAP, WIC, SNAP, and child nutrition support programs.
Childcare
Explore Childcare & More including options, regulations for health and safety, choosing quality child care, and more.
Paying for Childcare: the Childcare Subsidy Program. The Childcare Subsidy Program, or CCSP, helps eligible low-income families to pay for child care so parents can work, go to school, or participate in a job training program. CCSP is also available for eligible families where the adult(s) are retired and are the legal guardian of a child.
To apply for CCSP, either print and mail this application, call OFCS at 1-877-680-5866 or 207-624-799, or visit your local DHHS office to receive a printed application.
Maine Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in the following domains:
- language and literacy;
- cognition and general knowledge;
- physical development and health;
- social and emotional development; and
- approaches to learning.
Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social, and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services. Locate your local Head Start here.
Parenting Podcasts
Adventures in Co-Parenting
“Adventures in Co-Parenting is a refreshingly honest, easy going and engaging exploration of the highs and lows of co-parenting in the modern world. The spirited hosts are two people who have been successful over the last six years at raising their child together-apart. In addition to now being good friends, Alaya and Douglas have approached co-parenting with a focus on putting their daughter, Cohen, first, despite their differences. The show combines the hosts’ experiences and guests’ expertise to offer insight and highlight the often unforeseen positive opportunities to families after separation.”
Divorce Story
“Hosted by journalists Cassandra Thorburn and Annaliese Dent, Divorce Story launched in March 2020 and is a 12-week series on how to navigate separation and divorce. Cassandra experienced a high profile divorce from Karl Stefanovic in 2016 and has admitted in the podcast that she struggled in the aftermath for years. Episodes so far include, ‘Let’s talk about money’, ‘Do I need a lawyer?’, ‘Fleeing an abusive relationship’ and ‘If I knew then what I know now’.”
The High Conflict Co-Parenting Podcast
“Co-Parenting is the relationship that never ends. If your ex is difficult to deal with, if you are experiencing high-conflict and/or your children are being hurt by the behaviour of your ex-partner, then this show is for you. You may not be able to change them but you can change everything that your child needs to be healthy and happy. Listen in as Charlie and Brook discuss the principles, tools and techniques available in order to create peace in high conflict co-parenting relationships.”
