Downeast Community Partners Inc

Early care and education head start - a free preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 years until eligible for kindergarten. It is funded through the administration for children and families (acf), office of head start and the maine department of health and human services. Grantees are expected to raise 20% of the cost of the program through local contributions of cash or in-kind goods and services. The federal program targets children liviing at or below the federal poverty rate but allows enrollment of children from other income levels under the strict guidelines. At least 10% of children enrolled must have a diagnosed disability. Early head start - a program for infants and toddlers until age 3 and is also funded through acf. Downeast community partners receives early head start funding through a contract with the state of maine. Eligibility guidelines are the same as the head start program. Child care - dcp offers child care services through a fee for service basis. We accept state subsidies from parents who are eligible. We also offer a sliding fee scale based on a family's income. Regardless of funding source, all children enrolled in dcp's center-based programs are offered the comprehensive services associated with head start.

Housing and energy services - provide low income housing weatherization and heating assistance, emergency rental assistance, as well as other affordable housing assistance programs.

Elder services - programs that work with the elderly and their families to provide adult day services or coordinate resources that allow elderly to remain at home where they may continue living comfortably in their homes rather than other long term facilities.