It's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Throughout March, check out the NACDD website for news, info, and lots more about highlighting the important roles that people with developmental disabilities play in our communities and lives! Find more here: https://www.nacdd.org/ddam1/

MDDC's 2020 Annual Report in Newspapers Across the State

The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to present a very special publication that speaks to the work we do, and containing stories from Mainers with developmental disabilities that span a lifetime of issues that affect them, from school to work to aging in the community. This news insert is being placed in newspapers all over Maine, with particular emphasis on underserved populations in rural counties.

We are so proud of this pamphlet and of the people who allowed us to tell their stories. This is a vivid snapshot of the state of the systems that serve people with developmental disabilities in Maine and the effects those systems have on those people. Thanks to N&R Publications for helping us put this together!

We have an accessible pdf version of this publication available here: MDDC 2020 Newspaper Insert

Maine Statewide Independent Living Council Survey

Maine SILC is conducting a survey to gather information about services that provide support to people with disabilities. The information you provide in the survey will help set goals for the next three years. The deadline to complete the survey is March 31, 2020.

Click here to participate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9t2nyyc

MDDC is committed to creating a Maine in which all people are valued and respected because we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included.

MDDC is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and public and governmental agencies which promotes and advocates for equal opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to participate in every aspect of community life.

Validators Needed!

Opportunity to work with Disability Rights Maine!

Are you looking for temporary, part-time, flexible work?  Are you passionate about people with disabilities living in and accessing the community?

In January 2014, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new rule requiring changes to home and community-based services (HCBS).  States must comply by March 2022. The rule establishes new standards and requires that services and supports funded through Medicaid must be in settings that are truly home and community-based.

DRM needs several people to conduct 500 on-site visits to Maine’s home and community based settings statewide from February 1^st through September 30^th.  These visits are to assess and validate whether the setting is in compliance with the rules.  DRM will provide extensive training and support. 

People with disabilities and family members are encouraged to apply.

Please contact Katrina Ringrose at (207) 626-2774, extension 234 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more or apply, or go here: https://drme.org/news/2019/validators-needed

Poster Languge:

Wings for All® is Coming to BGR Airport

We are happy to announce that Wings for All will be landing at the Bangor International Airport (BGR) on Saturday, February 1, 2020.  Wings for All® is an airport rehearsal program designed specifically for individuals with autism or other intellectual disabilities. Families are given the opportunity to practice all steps involved in air travel including: entering the airport, obtaining a boarding card, going through TSA security, and boarding a real plane (that does not take off). A small reception will be held for all participants with light snacks and refreshments after deboarding the plane.

This event is FREE to families, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Wings for All is a national program of The Arc of the US. For more information, check out the Wings program website at thearc.org/wings or contact Cathy Dionne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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NACDD Executive Director Leadership Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas

Our executive director, Nancy Cronin, had a fantastic time with her cohorts from around the country at this year's Executive Director Leadership Summit! Thanks to the folks at NACDD for putting this together and giving our executive directors a chance to talk about the work they are doing in their respective Councils.

Council Executive Directors on steps in the Governor's Mansion in Arkansas

The group got a chance to visit the Little Rock Central High School, the school where the Little Rock Nine were escorted by the National Guard in 1957 to desegregate that school.

FASD Group Forming in Maine!

This past Monday, Sept. 6 — in recognition of international FASD awareness day — saw the launch of FASD Maine, a group for anyone affected by or involved with fetal alcohol in Maine.  

If you are interested in being involved with or following their work, you can join their new Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/463838167530594/

FASD Infographic Text: 

Alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to lifelong effects.

Up to 1 in 20 US school children may have FASDs.

People with FASDs can experience a mix of the following problems:

Physical issues

• low birth weight and growth
• problems with heart, kidneys, and other organs
• damage to parts of the brain

Which leads to…

Behavioral and intellectual disabilities

• learning disabilities and low IQ
• hyperactivity
• difficulty with attention
• poor ability to communicate in social situations
• poor reasoning and judgement skills

These can lead to…

Lifelong issues with

• school and social skills
• living independently
• mental health
• substance use
• keeping a job
• trouble with the law

Drinking while pregnant costs the US $5.5 billion (2010)

Sources: CDC Vital Signs, February 2016. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, November 2015

Nancy Cronin Featured in Act Early Video

Our executive director, Nancy Cronin, is also Maine's ambassador to the CDC's Act Early Campaign, which is an initiative that helps to educate about the importance of tracking young children's developmental milestones and strives to get information about those milestones into the hands of parents, doctors, and early education professionals. Watch Nancy and her fellow ambassadors talk about their work in this video:

MCH Needs Assessment: Survey to Identify Priorities – Help Requested

Maine’s Maternal and Child Health Program administers the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Every five years states are required to conduct a needs assessment to continue to evaluate the state’s specific priorities. This short survey should only take about 5-10 minutes to complete and your responses will be anonymous. The survey will ask about priorities in five MCH population domains:

1. Women’s and maternal health,
2. Perinatal and infant health,
3. Child health,
4. Adolescent health and
5. Children with special health care needs.  

Click here to participate: www.tinyurl.com/MCHsurveyME

If you have any questions about the survey please contact Erika Lichter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Thank you for your help with this important project.  Your feedback will help strengthen and enhance maternal and child health programs in Maine.