U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (D-ME) announced on Tuesday that the Maine Parent Federation, Inc. will receive a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Parent Training and Information Center Program.
The Maine Parent Federation, based in Farmingdale, Maine, was established in 1984. The facility provides free information, referrals, one-on-one support and training to parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs, as well as various professionals in search of additional information or training in these areas for the home, school or the community. The programs offered by the Maine Parent Federation cover many different specific disabilities as well as parenting issues and special education. The services include providing information and referrals, parent-to-parent forums, workshops, writing public policy and advocacy, and a lending library for resources.
The grant provided by the Department of Education will support all of the Federation’s programs. The award can be renewed annually for up to four years, potentially totaling up to $1 million in funding.
“Organizations such as Maine Parent Federation support families across our state by connecting them with a range of services and education opportunities,” Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding will make a lasting difference for many families throughout our great state.”