PARIS – Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services will keep adult day-services sites in Paris and Rumford open through the end of February, according to local sources.
The state program serves adults in Oxford, Androscoggin and Franklin counties, offering daily therapeutic care and socialization for adults with mental health problems and helping them live in their communities rather than in institutions.
Community Concepts, which has offered the services for four years, announced recently it would end it because of inadequate state funding. The final day for services was planned for Jan. 31.
Mike Burke, chief operating officer of Community Concepts, said Thursday that DHHS had agreed to provide additional funding through the end of February.
State officials met with employees of the social service agency Wednesday in Augusta.
The extra month will give state officials and Community Concepts employees time to find alternate services for the 49 adults who will be affected by the program’s termination, Burke said.
“It is sad,” Burke said, about the outcome of the meeting. “We were hoping that we could continue running the adult day-services, and we still have concerns that our consumers will get appropriate services.”
Community Concepts has served 128 clients in four years.
Burke said DHHS will take the lead on making sure that patients do not fall through the cracks. Community Concepts will also be seeking alternatives for the affected adults.
Rep. Sawin Millet, R-Waterford, said he spoke with participants of the Wednesday meeting after the discussion concluded.
He said in a phone interview Thursday that, “It is unfortunate that the (original) notice went out with no alternative in mind than to completely close the program down. At least the conversation will focus on what we will do to continue a service plan. Hopefully it will become financially affordable and meet the needs of the clients.”
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