New Parents
Congratulations on your new baby! We hope that you will find the information on this page helpful as you begin on this exciting, and sometimes uncertain journey. It is our hope that we can provide you as much infomation as you need, and all of the support that you seek. In addition to the resources found here, we would like to send you a packet of infomation and resources to help you along the way. We can also put you in touch with other families who are, or have been, in a similar situation to yours, if you wish. We are fortunate to have trained parents who will visit you either in the hospital, or in your home, at your request. Please click here, or call (866) 571-2223, ext. 1 for any of these services.
Expectant Parents
NDSS Resources
National Down Syndrome Society has many online resources for new and expectant parents. Please click here to visit their site.
NDSC Resources
National Down Syndrome Congress has many online resources for new and expectant parents. Please click here to visit their site.
Brighter Tomorrows
Brighter Tomorrows is a website designed "to provide families with balanced and accurate information about receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome, either during their pregnancy, or at birth." Please click here to visit their site.
Early Intervention/CDS
NDSS has an excellent page that talks about Early Intervention. Please click here to read it. In Maine, Early Intervention services are administered though Child Development Services (CDS). Each county has it's own CDS site. To find infomation about the site in your county, click here.
Pediatric Geneticist
We are fortunate to have two excellent Pediatric Geneticists in Portland - Dr. Wendy Smith and Dr. Rosemarie Smith. Both practice at Maine Pediatric Specialty Group, 1577 Congress St., Portland. Their office can be reached at 662-5522.
Maine Care/Katie Beckett Waiver
MaineCare (formerly Medicaid and CubCare) is a "Federal/State" program which provides health and dental insurance assistance to people with limited resources. Eligibility for a variety of MaineCare funded programs is determined by the Office of Integrated Access and Support. You can contact them at 1-877-KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669). (from Maine.gov) MaineCare may also available to children with serious health conditions, regardless of parental income through the Katie Beckett Waiver or Option. To find out more about MaineCare, and the Katie Beckett Option, please click
here.
SSI
Children with Down syndrome can qualify for cash assistance for basic needs through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your family meets income guidelines. If you think you may qualify, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If your child is in the hospital, hospital social workers should be able to help you complete the application. You may also find out more by contacting your local SSA field office. The toll free number for all Social Security offices is 1-800-772-1213.
The Social Security Administration has a SSI Child Disability Starter Kit (for children under age 18), which is accessible here.
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