Community Education & Outreach (for all ages)

The Washington County Children’s Program meets the community’s need for information on child development, parenting, and ways to cope with special needs through our Community Education and Outreach department. Some of the ways we provide this help:

• Grow With Us program
• Infant and Toddler Playgroups
• Resource Library materials
• Special Family Weekend
• Annual Picnics for families of children with special needs
• Autism Consultation for schools, groups, and families
• Workshops and trainings on parenting and on special needs laws and regulations

Grow With Us Program

The Grow With Us program is a free service for any Washington County family with children from birth to five years of age. This program sends out a series of questionnaires to help you track your child's growth and development. Simple forms are mailed every few months, return postage paid. Free toothbrushes, booklets, parenting tips and playtime ideas are also shared through Grow With Us. This program gives you an easy way to learn about child development, nutrition, and play, and a place to call when you have questions. To learn more, call the Grow With Us Coordinator at 207-255-0873 or 1-800-545-0873.

Download our Grow With Us poster (PDF file)

Infant and Toddler Playgroups

Infant and Toddler Playgroups occur in six-week sessions throughout the year, except for summer. These groups are a great opportunity to learn ways to play with your child, to meet other parents, and to share questions and concerns. The playgroups meet at our space in Marshfield and are co-hosted with Family First, a program of Down East Community Hospital. Typical activities include circle time, free play, snack, read-aloud, singing, and crafts. For ages birth to three. This program is free; call today to sign up.

Resource Libraries

The Children's Program has a large collection of books, audiotapes, DVDs, videos, and workbooks that any parent, caregiver, or provider in Washington or Hancock counties can borrow free of charge. Included is the Autism Resource Library. Other topics included are child development, parenting, gentle and effective discipline, professional development, education law, and a wide variety of special needs. Some books and videos are aimed at children, to help them understand their own or another’s special needs. For questions about the Resource Library call Grow With Us Coordinator Jen Wood or Family Resource Specialist Sonja Ramsdell. For questions about the Autism Library please call Autism Consultant and Case Manager Paula Ray.

Special Family Weekend

Special Family Weekend is a program of the Special Family Weekend Committee, a nonprofit group of parents. WCCP assists with organization, fundraising, publicity, and special needs childcare for this yearly event. The weekend of respite, childcare, parent education and fun happens each June. For many years this event, which is open to parents statewide, was held at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. It is now held at the University of Maine at Machias. This program makes it possible for families to get away for the weekend to enjoy games, swimming, meals, and entertainment at a very low cost. For more information, please call Lillian Leighton at 207-565-2774, write to her at 9 Eastbrook Road, Franklin, ME 04634, or email her at gigglesll@peoplepc.com. Or call our Outreach department and ask to speak with Jen Wood.

Download our Special Family Weekend brochure (PDF file)

Annual Picnics for Families

Annual Picnics are held each summer for families of children we serve. WCCP provides food and fun at our space in Marshfield for the Family Picnic, and hosts another picnic for families in Hancock County on our autism caseload. These picnics give families a chance to connect with each other and to share struggles and successes. For more information, call WCCP Autism Consultant Paula Ray.

Autism Consultation

Autism Consultation is a free service for schools, groups, and families to help provide resources and ways to teach and cope. For more information, please call Paula Ray.

Workshops and Trainings

Workshops and Trainings happen throughout the year on an as-needed basis. Past topics have included nutrition, successful discipline, No Child Left Behind, life with autism, special education law, grandparenting, and adaptive equipment. Information on trainings will be distributed through our networks when they occur. For more information or to suggest a workshop, please call Sonja Ramsdell in Outreach.