Pregnancy/Infants/Young Children

Car Seat Resource The Bureau of Highway Safety has partner locations around the State of Maine where income eligible families can make an appointment with a certified car seat technician to obtain a car seat. 

CradleME is a referral service to connect pregnant or new parents and their families with services such as:

CradleME Referral Form (PDF) for service providers

Early Head Start is the companion program to Head Start, created to address the same needs of children birth to age three, expectant mothers, and their families.

Head Start: Head Start offers early childhood education for young children aged three to five whose families meet federal poverty guidelines. The program offers part- and full-time education, home visitors, and nurturing parenting services. 

Help Me Grow (HMG) Maine is a free service available to children up to eight years of age and their families.  Help Me Grow Maine connects individuals and families to information and services about child development and community resources. Any parent, caregiver, or provider can call for support and the HMG team will listen, link a person/family to services, and supply ongoing support when needed. 

Maine Families is a home visiting service offered to all families who are expecting or have a new baby at home. Visits are free and Maine Families staff provide information, encouragement, and support around topics related to health, nutrition, safety, development, and well-being.  

Maine Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP®) provides infant and early childhood mental health consultation, staff training, and support to child care centers, family child care providers, pre-K programs, public schools, and afterschool programs to improve the capacity of caregivers to effectively meet the needs of young children who may be experiencing challenging behaviors or have social emotional needs.  ECCP® incorporates support and resources to families of children referred for support through the child's early childhood education or care setting. 

MaineMOM connects Mainers who are pregnant or new parents living with a substance use disorder, to local service providers who are specially trained to provide advocacy, access to treatment services, and recovery supports. 

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support, resources, and referrals for any pregnant and postpartum mothers facing mental health challenges and their loved ones. This service is available via phone and/or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).

Plan of Safe Care: Maine’s Plan of Safe Care is created between a healthcare or social services provider and parents and/or other caregivers. The Plan of Safe Care identifies family strengths and needs, beneficial resources and actions to best support substance exposed infants and families. A Plan of Safe Care often includes referrals to services or contact information for families for their own follow up.  

Public Health Nursing: Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Nurses (PHNs) are registered professional nurses, working to improve, preserve, and protect the health and quality of life for all individuals, populations, cultures and communities. For more information call 1-888-644-1130

Safe Sleep Maine provides information about safe sleep practices for parents of infants and young children to reduce the risk sleep-related injuries and death including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Transition to Kindergarten is an exciting time for families.  Resources are available to support parents and caregivers as well as educators and childcare providers for this transition.

For local community information about resources to help families and individuals meet their needs contact 211 Maine, a free and confidential helpline: