Healthy Kids, a community-based family resource network based in Damariscotta, has officially announced the geographic expansion of its core services into Waldo County, beginning July 1, 2026. This milestone expands the organization's historic footprint beyond Lincoln and Knox counties to deliver proactive, community-defined family supports to communities across the Midcoast region.

"Maine Prevention Council, of which Healthy Kids is a designated partner through Maine Children’s Trust and Maine’s Office of Children and Family Services, believes true prevention happens in partnership," said a Healthy Kids news release. "Therefore, Healthy Kids will continue to align its work with existing Midcoast providers to complement—not duplicate—local efforts." 

With the support of its Board of Directors, Executive Director Char Corbett will lead administrative operations and community engagement strategies while Community Educators Toby LeCrone and Sofie Watts will deliver professional trainings, family programming, and concrete supports for all three counties.

"This strategic growth allows Healthy Kids to bring vital prevention resources directly to families across Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties," said Healthy Kids. "By broadening our reach, we aim to build resilient communities, reduce family isolation, and ensure every child in the Midcoast region grows up in a safe, nurturing environment. This strategic expansion also directly aligns with the broader statewide momentum to shift child welfare efforts away from late-stage crisis intervention and toward early, proactive community support."

Lincoln, Knox and Waldo County residents and professionals will have access to Healthy Kids’ full continuum of care, which includes personalized parenting coaching, evidence-based parenting classes, community playgroups and workshops as well as professional training in Strengthening Families Protective Family Framework, mandated reporting, infant safe sleep and abusive head trauma prevention. Concrete supports for such items as diapers, wipes, infant care and food products, children’s clothing, free cribs through the Cribs for Kids program and emergency referral services are also available.

For years, Healthy Kids has actively partnered with pediatric clinics, educators, school districts, municipal and state agencies and other community-based spaces in Lincoln and Knox counties to create a seamless support network and referral pipeline. Healthy Kids also believes in elevating parent voices and leadership in their local communities through convenings, trainings, a parent advisory committee and other community-based initiatives important to parents and their families. The organization expects to provide these same supports and trainings in Waldo County, as many providers and several school districts overlap between these three Midcoast counties.

"Prevention begins when we support and empower families to define the support they need and ensure our local communities are aligned to meet those needs," said Corbett.

Lincoln, Knox and now Waldo County families, medical providers, and educators can immediately request services, access the event calendar, or join regional playgroups or virtual parenting classes by visiting Healthy Kids online at www.healthykidsmaine.org or calling 207-563-1818.