Prioritizing your child’s safety while traveling is paramount, and the Maine Car Seat Program is dedicated to assisting income-eligible families in Maine to secure this crucial aspect of child passenger safety. Through a network of partner locations throughout the state, the Bureau of Highway Safety provides access to certified car seat technicians who can offer guidance and car seats to those who qualify. This program ensures that children travel safely, giving parents and caregivers peace of mind on every journey.
Determining Eligibility for the Maine Car Seat Program
To benefit from the Maine Car Seat Program, families must meet specific income criteria, demonstrated through one of the following forms of documentation:
- eWIC card
- Official letter from MaineCare confirming program participation
- Letter from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) agency confirming current program participation. Alternatively, a recent dated letter from either of these agencies addressed to the family discussing their participation is also acceptable.
Meeting these criteria ensures that the Maine car seat program reaches families who need it most, providing essential resources for child passenger safety.
Proof of Maine Residency Requirements
Alongside income eligibility, parents or caregivers must also provide current, visual proof of Maine residency. A valid, non-expired document from the following list is required:
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State of Maine Driver’s License
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State of Maine Identification Card
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Maine Tribal Identification
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Letter of Refugee Resettlement from Catholic Charities, accompanied by the Refugee’s photo and I-94 number
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Fostering license or certification
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High School Photo Identification card
- For pregnant teenagers who are too young to possess a driver’s license, a family member will need to bring the vehicle to the car seat distribution appointment.
It is preferred to provide a State of Maine Driver’s License or State ID. However, if these are not available, or one of the Maine residency options listed above, visual proof can be established with one of the following current documents:
- Current utility bill displaying name and matching address
- Current mail with name and address clearly visible
- Current Rental agreement or mortgage paper showing name and address
These residency requirements help ensure that the Maine car seat program is serving residents of the state and contributing to the safety of Maine’s children.
How to Access a Car Seat Through the Maine Car Seat Program
Accessing the Maine Car Seat Program is by appointment only. It is important to plan in advance as there may be a waiting period to schedule a meeting with a certified technician. Your child must be present at the appointment to ensure proper car seat fitting and installation guidance. For expecting parents, appointments can be scheduled no earlier than one month before the baby’s due date.
To schedule an appointment, please call and request to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at one of the listed distribution locations.
Please be aware that waiting lists may exist, so early planning is recommended.
Maine Car Seat Program Distribution Locations
The Help Me Grow initiative collaborates with the Maine Car Seat Program and has numerous locations across Maine offering distribution and inspection appointments. If you require a car seat or an inspection, please reach out to Help Me Grow via email at [email protected]. Include your name, phone number, and town of residence in your email. Help Me Grow Maine can assist you directly or guide you to the nearest distributor.
| 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 |
| Northern Light Inland Hospital 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive Waterville, ME 04901 207.861.3000 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 |
Manuals and Forms for the Maine CPS Program
The Bureau of Highway Safety is dedicated to the continuous enhancement of its Child Passenger Safety Program. This commitment is reflected in the development of consistent guidelines and procedures aimed at improving program quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and communication, to better serve the residents of Maine.
The Child Passenger Safety program manual serves as a comprehensive guide for CPS Technicians and Partners. This document is regularly updated to reflect program improvements. Please note that information within this guide is subject to change and may not encompass all program policies.
CPS Forms: To obtain program forms, please contact the Bureau directly at 207-626-3840.
By utilizing the Maine Car Seat Program, you are taking a significant step in ensuring your child’s safety and well-being while traveling. Reach out to a location near you to learn more and schedule your appointment today.
