Promising Practices - Maine

Maine - Due to several paper mill closures in 2004 in the area formerly employing thousands, workers from the Bangor DHHS Office went to affected areas to assist these families in applying for the Food Stamp Program, MaineCare and TANF. Through their outreach efforts they were able to enroll hundreds of families for the Food Stamp Program as well as other types of assistance. For more information, contact: Bethany Hamm, Supervisor, Bangor Office, 207-561-4318.

Maine – The Portland, Bangor and Sanford DHHS Offices demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service by maintaining a policy of seeing clients within 20 minutes. Signs are posted that tell applicants/recipients to let the receptionist know if the time limit has passed but most clients are seen immediately. The Portland office has an average of 230 walk-ins daily, yet the 20-minute wait policy is maintained. Maine has one of the highest Food Stamp Program participation rates in the nation. For more information, contact: Bethany Hamm, Supervisor, Bangor Office, 207-561-4318; Jeanne Mahoney, Supervisor, Sanford Office, 207-490-5405; Don Comeau, Program Administrator, Portland Office, 207-822-2072.

Maine – The Portland DHHS office serves a substantial number of refugees, asylees, and secondary migrants from a wide range of cultures covering over 40 different languages. They access interpreters through their own staff who speak 12 different languages or through Language Line Services, a local interpreter service. For more information, contact: Don Comeau, Program Administrator, Portland DHHS office, 207-822-2072.

Last modified: 04/30/2009