Maine Developmental

Announcing Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Children’s Behavioral Health Services Study

Late October/Early November 2018

Announcing Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Children’s Behavioral Health Services Study

Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is studying Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) with help from Public Consulting Group (PCG), an independent consulting company. The goal of this project is to review the behavioral health services provided to children and families to understand what is working well and what can be improved. These services include therapy and supports for children with mental health issues or developmental disabilities as well as crisis services, residential treatment, and psychiatric hospitalizations.

As part of this study there will be Town Hall Meetings for families, youth, behavioral health providers, and others to attend. These meetings are free and open to the public.

During these meetings PCG will present what they have learned and share ideas to improve the system. OCFS and PCG want to hear from you at the Town Hall Meetings to confirm the challenges and strengths of the system and respond to ideas for changes.

While an RSVP is not required to attend, it will help with planning for these meetings.
To RSVP use this link:

https://goo.gl/forms/RcimRB8vbD7JGfoG2

You can also contact Susan Foosness, Project Manager, to RSVP or ask questions at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Congratulations to the Winners

of the 2018 Inclusion Awards

On April 25th, the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) hosted its 3^rd annual Inclusion Celebration in the Hall of Flags at the State House, celebrating the efforts of high school juniors and seniors who created essays and artworks reflecting on the meaning of full inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in our communities.

 MDDC also honored Senator Angus King for his advocacy for those with disabilities and for their full inclusion in our Maine communities. Senator King’s aide, Scott Wilkinson, was on hand to give a brief presentation and to show a short video acceptance provided by the Senator, who said of the work of the Disabilities Council, “Every business I talk to, no matter where I am in the state, the number one problem they have is workforce, is people. So by working with developmentally disabled people, you are helping to fill an important gap in the economic future of Maine. And of course, what you’re doing is so important to those individuals. You are literally changing lives, you are building lives. You’re making such an important contribution.”

The students honored were: Caleb Richardson, Cony High School; Sophia DeSchiffart, Narraguagus High School; Taylor Files, Windham High School; Corilie Green, Freeport High School; Raveena Angotti, Hodgdon High School; McKenna Troast, Freeport High School; Lily Goltz, Lincoln Academy; and Alexander Les, Freeport High School. Two educators, Tom Wells from Cony High School and Michelle Birkenshaw from Narraguagus High School were also recognized for their encouragement and support, as well as Hodgdon and Freeport High Schools for their extraordinary student participation.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference

Now Available – handouts/materials from the July 27, 2017 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference

• F.A.S.D. Guide for Pediatricians and Mental Health Practices - Dr. Larry Burd, Ph.D.
• Maine Cost Calculator
• Maine Exposure Model
• Diane Smith Howard: Advocating for Children and Youth with FASD
• Anne Uecker, Ph.D.: Neuropsychology of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• Christopher Pezzullo, D.O.: FASD and Maine
• Douglas Waite, M.D.: A Disability by Any Other Name
• Carl C. Bell, M.D.: Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Watch Me!

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns: As an early care and education provider, you play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of children.  You are also very well positioned to help identify children who might need some extra help in their development.  This FREE online training course, Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns, helps you fulfill this role by providing tools and best practices for monitoring the development of children in your care and talking about it with their parents. Click here for more information.
Continuing Education (CE) is available.  You must complete all four modules, each quiz, and a final evaluation to qualify. Click here for more instructions.

Inclusion Awards Book

MDDC has released a book of essays featuring the winning entries from the 2016 Inclusion Awards Essay Contest.  The book, Visions of Inclusion, features 13 essays and a poem submitted by Maine high school juniors and seniors.  For more information, or to request a copy, contact Angela Burgess at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 207-287-4213.