The Bureau of Highway Safety in Maine is committed to protecting the youngest passengers on the road through its Car Seat Distribution Program. This initiative provides crucial support to income-eligible families, ensuring their children have access to essential car seats. By partnering with various locations across the state, the program makes it easier for families to obtain car seats and learn about proper installation from certified technicians.
Eligibility for the Car Seat Program
To participate in the car seat distribution program, families must meet specific income criteria. Eligibility is determined by providing documentation from one of the following programs:
- eWIC card
- Letter from Maine Care confirming program participation
- Letter from TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) indicating current enrollment, or a recent letter from either agency discussing participation.
In addition to income eligibility, proof of Maine residency is required. Parents or caregivers need to present a non-expired, visual proof of residency from the options listed below:
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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/certification
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High School Photo Identification card
- Note for Pregnant Teens: Pregnant teenagers who are too young to have a driver’s license will need a family member to bring a vehicle to the car seat distribution appointment.
While a State of Maine Driver’s License or ID is preferred, alternative forms of residency verification are accepted if you do not possess these. These alternatives include visual proof of one of the following:
- 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
How to Obtain a Car Seat
This valuable service is available strictly by appointment. It is important to plan ahead as there may be a waiting period to schedule a consultation with a certified car seat technician. Please note that your child must 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, please call and request to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at your chosen location. Given potential waiting lists, early planning is highly recommended to secure your car seat.
Car Seat Distribution Locations: Help Me Grow Maine
Help Me Grow Maine collaborates with numerous locations throughout Maine to facilitate car seat distribution and inspection appointments. If you require a car seat or need to schedule an inspection, please reach out via email at [email protected]. Include your name, phone number, and town of residence in your email. Help Me Grow Maine will assist you with obtaining a car seat, scheduling an inspection, or directing you to the nearest distribution site.
| Androscoggin County | Oxford County |
|---|---|
| Central Maine Medical Center 300 Main Street Lewiston, ME 04240 207.795.2695 |
Stephen’s Memorial Hospital 181 Main Street Norway, ME 04268 207.743.1562 Ext. 6955 |
| Pediatric Associates 33 Mollison Way Lewiston, ME 04240 207.784.5782 |
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| Aroostook County | Penobscot County |
| Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 88 Bell Road Littleton, ME 04730 207.532.2240 |
Health Access Network 175 West Broadway Lincoln, ME 04457 207.794.6700 |
| Northern Light AR Gould Hospital Aroostook Pediatrics 140 Academy Street Presque Isle, ME 04769 207.768.4000 |
Livin’ The Breast Life 36 Getchell Street Brewer, ME 04412 207.573.2936 |
| Presque Isle Fire Department 43 North State Street, Suite A Presque Isle, ME 04769 207.769.0881 |
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| Cary Medical Center 163 Van Buren Road Caribou, ME 04736 207.498.6921 |
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| Houlton Fire and Ambulance 97 Military St Houlton, ME 04730 207-532-1320 |
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| Cumberland County | Piscataquis County |
| Woodford’s Family Services 15 Saunders Way, Suite 900 Westbrook, ME 04062 207.878.9663 |
Mayo Regional Hospital 897 West Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.4292 |
| Gorham Fire Department 270 Main Street Gorham, ME 04038 [email protected] |
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| Midcoast Hospital 331 Maine St. Suite #23 Brunswick, ME 04011 207-402-0770 [email protected] |
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| Franklin County | Sagadahoc County |
| Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office 752 High Street Bath, ME 04530 207.386.5828 |
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| Hancock County | Somerset County |
| Bar Harbor Fire Department 37 Firefly Lane Bar Harbor, ME 04609 207.288.5533 |
Redington-Fairview General Hospital 46 Fairview Avenue Skowhegan, ME 04976 207.474.5121 Ext. 427 |
| WIC Program c/o Maine Family Planning 248 State Street, Suite 3 Ellsworth, ME 04605 207.667.5304 (Back side of the Mill Mall) |
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| Kennebec County | Waldo County |
| Northern Light Inland Hospital 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive Waterville, ME 04901 207.861.3000 |
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| Southern Kennebec Child Development Corp. 337 Maine Avenue Farmingdale, ME 04344 207.582.3110 |
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| 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]) |
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| 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 |
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| Lincoln County | York County |
| Kittery Police Department 200 Rogers Road Kittery, ME 03904 207.439.1638 |
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| Biddeford Police Department 39 Alfred Street Biddeford, ME 04005 207.282.5127 |
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| Sanford Police Department 935 Main Street Sanford, ME 04073 207.324.9170 |
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| Kennebunk Fire Rescue 1 Summer Street Kennebunk, ME 04043 207.985.2102 ext: 1641 |
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| Beloved (an outreach of Mercy Chapel) 1861 Main St. Sanford, ME 04073 207-651-3537 |
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| Goodwin Mills Fire Dept. 481 Goodwins Mills Road Lyman, ME 04002 207-499-2362 *Please ask for: FF/Paramedic Sandy Staples |
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| Wells Police Department 1563 Post Road Wells, ME 04090 207-646-9354 |
Manuals and Resources
The Bureau of Highway Safety is dedicated to continuously enhancing its Child Passenger Safety Program. This commitment is reflected in the development of consistent guidelines and procedures aimed at improving program quality, effectiveness, efficiency, communication, and responsiveness to the needs of Maine residents.
For detailed information and guidance, the Child Passenger Safety program manual serves as a comprehensive resource for CPS Technicians and Partners. This manual is a dynamic document, updated annually to refine program processes and policies. Please note that the information within is subject to change and may not encompass all program policies.
CPS Forms: For program forms, please contact the Bureau directly at 207-626-3840. They will provide you with the necessary documents to proceed with the car seat distribution program.
By taking advantage of the Maine Car Seat Distribution Program, families can ensure their children travel safely, contributing to overall child passenger safety across the state.
