Child passenger safety is paramount, and ensuring that children are safely secured in car seats is a critical aspect of this. For families in Maine who meet certain income criteria, accessing a car seat and professional installation assistance is made possible through the Maine Car Seat Distribution Program. This program is designed to provide income-eligible families with car seats and to educate caregivers on proper car seat installation and usage by certified car seat technicians.
Who is Eligible for the Maine Car Seat Distribution Program?
The Maine Car Seat Distribution Program has specific eligibility requirements to ensure that resources are directed to families who need them most. To qualify for the program, families must demonstrate income eligibility by providing one of the following documents:
- eWIC card
- A letter from Maine Care confirming program participation
- A letter from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) agency indicating current program participation. Alternatively, a recent letter from either agency addressed to the family discussing their participation is also acceptable.
These documents help verify that families meet the income criteria established for the car seat distribution program, ensuring that it supports those who may face financial barriers to obtaining essential child safety equipment.
Proving Maine Residency for the Car Seat Program
In addition to income eligibility, the program requires proof of Maine residency. This ensures that the car seat distribution program is serving families within the state of Maine. Applicants must provide visual, non-expired proof of Maine residency from one of the following options:
- State of Maine Driver’s License
- State of Maine Identification Card
- Maine Tribal Identification
- A Letter of Refugee Resettlement from Catholic Charities, accompanied by the Refugee’s photo and I-94 number
- Fostering license or certification
- High School Photo Identification card. It is important to note that pregnant teens who are too young to obtain a driver’s license can still participate; however, a family member will need to bring the vehicle to the car seat distribution appointment.
Ideally, a State of Maine Driver’s License or ID should be provided first if available. For individuals who do not possess a State of Maine Driver’s License or ID, or any of the residency options listed above, the following documents can be used to demonstrate visual proof of residency:
- A current utility bill displaying the applicant’s name and matching address
- Current mail with the applicant’s name and address
- A current Rental agreement or mortgage paper showing the applicant’s name and address
These varied options for proving residency are designed to accommodate different circumstances and ensure accessibility to the car seat distribution program for all eligible Maine residents.
How to Access the Car Seat Distribution Program
Accessing the Maine car seat distribution program requires an appointment. It is important to plan ahead, as there may be a slight waiting period to schedule a meeting with a certified technician. It is also mandatory for the child who will be using the car seat to be present at the appointment. For expectant parents, appointments can be scheduled no earlier than one month before the baby’s due date.
To schedule an appointment, individuals are instructed to call and specifically ask to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. This ensures that you are connected with the right personnel who can guide you through the process and schedule your car seat appointment.
Please be aware that there may be a waiting list, so early planning is highly recommended to secure your car seat distribution program appointment.
Car Seat Distribution Locations in Maine – Help Me Grow
The car seat distribution program operates through various partner locations across Maine. Help Me Grow Maine plays a significant role in this network, offering multiple locations for both car seat distribution and inspection appointments.
For those seeking a distribution or inspection appointment, contacting Help Me Grow Maine is a key step. You can reach out via email at [email protected]. When emailing, be sure to include your name, phone number, and the town in which you reside. Help Me Grow Maine can then assist you by potentially providing a car seat or inspection directly or by directing you to the nearest car seat distribution program location.
The following table lists distribution locations by county, offering a comprehensive overview of where families can access this vital service:
| Androscoggin County | Oxford County |
|---|---|
| Central Maine Medical Center 300 Main Street Lewiston, ME 04240 207.795.2695 Pediatric Associates 33 Mollison Way Lewiston, ME 04240 207.784.5782 | Stephen’s Memorial Hospital 181 Main Street Norway, ME 04268 207.743.1562 Ext. 6955 |
| Aroostook County | Penobscot County |
| Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 88 Bell Road Littleton, ME 04730 207.532.2240 Northern Light AR Gould Hospital Aroostook Pediatrics 140 Academy Street Presque Isle, ME 04769 207.768.4000 Presque Isle Fire Department 43 North State Street, Suite A Presque Isle, ME 04769 207.769.0881 Cary Medical Center 163 Van Buren Road Caribou, ME 04736 207.498.6921 Houlton Fire and Ambulance 97 Military St Houlton, ME 04730 207-532-1320 | Health Access Network 175 West Broadway Lincoln, ME 04457 207.794.6700 Livin’ The Breast Life 36 Getchell Street Brewer, ME 04412 207.573.2936 |
| Cumberland County | Piscataquis County |
| Woodford’s Family Services 15 Saunders Way, Suite 900 Westbrook, ME 04062 207.878.9663 Gorham Fire Department 270 Main Street Gorham, ME 04038[email protected] Midcoast Hospital 331 Maine St. Suite #23 Brunswick, ME 04011 207-402-0770[email protected] | Mayo Regional Hospital 897 West Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.4292 |
| Franklin County | Sagadahoc County |
| Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office 752 High Street Bath, ME 04530 207.386.5828 | |
| Hancock County | Somerset County |
| Bar Harbor Fire Department 37 Firefly Lane Bar Harbor, ME 04609 207.288.5533 WIC Program c/o Maine Family Planning 248 State Street, Suite 3 Ellsworth, ME 04605 207.667.5304 (Back side of the Mill Mall) | Redington-Fairview General Hospital 46 Fairview Avenue Skowhegan, ME 04976 207.474.5121 Ext. 427 |
| Kennebec County | Waldo County |
| Southern Kennebec Child Development Corp. 337 Maine Avenue Farmingdale, ME 04344 207.582.3110 Augusta Police Department 7 Willow Street Augusta, ME 04330 207.626.2370 Please schedule an appointment with Sgt Anthony Drouin by phone or email ([email protected]) | |
| Knox County | Washington County |
| Rockland Fire Department 118 Park Street Rockland, ME 04841 207.594.0318 | Down East Community Hospital 11 Hospital Drive Machias, ME 04654 207.255.0481 Calais Fire/EMS 312 North Street Calais, ME 04619 207.454.7400 |
| Lincoln County | York County |
| Kittery Police Department 200 Rogers Road Kittery, ME 03904 207.439.1638 Biddeford Police Department 39 Alfred Street Biddeford, ME 04005 207.282.5127 Sanford Police Department 935 Main Street Sanford, ME 04073 207.324.9170 Kennebunk Fire Rescue 1 Summer Street Kennebunk, ME 04043 207.985.2102 ext: 1641 Beloved (an outreach of Mercy Chapel) 1861 Main St. Sanford, ME 04073 207-651-3537 Goodwin Mills Fire Dept. 481 Goodwins Mills Road Lyman, ME 04002 207-499-2362 *Please ask for: FF/Paramedic Sandy Staples Wells Police Department 1563 Post Road Wells, ME 04090 207-646-9354 |
This extensive network of locations ensures that families across Maine have access to the car seat distribution program, making child passenger safety more accessible statewide.
Resources for Technicians and Partners
The Bureau of Highway Safety is dedicated to continuously enhancing its Child Passenger Safety Program. To support this commitment, they develop guidelines and procedures aimed at improving program quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and communication, ultimately better serving the residents of Maine.
A key resource is the Child Passenger Safety program manual, which serves as a guide for CPS Technicians and Partners. This manual is a dynamic document, updated annually to reflect program improvements and evolving best practices. It is important to note that the information within the manual is subject to change and may not encompass all program policies. The 2024 CPS Manual is available in PDF format for download.
For CPS Forms, please contact the Bureau directly at 207-626-3840 to obtain the necessary program forms.
Conclusion
The Maine car seat distribution program is a vital resource for income-eligible families in Maine, ensuring that children travel safely. By providing car seats and expert installation assistance through certified technicians, the program significantly contributes to child passenger safety across the state. Eligible families are encouraged to take advantage of this program by contacting the nearest distribution location or Help Me Grow Maine to schedule an appointment and secure a safer future for their children. This program stands as a testament to Maine’s commitment to protecting its youngest residents on the road.
