Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services
Meeting Agenda
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September 14, 2026 12:00-2:00pm
 
Meeting participants can connect to the meeting via Zoom using the link below. 
Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7844044183?pwd=odbLb8aUxgMX3vf3MFhFtWJTavbBqp.1

12:00pm – Welcome

• The Coalition is designed to be an open and inclusive clearinghouse of information.  All are welcome.  
• This meeting will continue a broad discussion, including context, of how we came to this crisis of current and impending waitlists for services and lack of affordable supportive housing in Maine, and what parents, relatives, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, advocates, service providers, DHHS, DOL, DOE special education, and experts on transition can do and are doing about it.  The major focus will be information sharing and discussion about services that work, housing, transition, employment, state and federal budgets and policy decisions, advocacy, and resources.  This meeting will also focus on seeing through the implementation of a Continuum of Care and Blueprint for Effective Transition so that housing and service needs are met for everyone, and true community inclusion occurs.  
• Coalition meetings are recorded and available upon request. 

 

1. Review agenda, review/accept Minutes from the latest meeting (link), introductions

Featured Speaker: Catherine Thibedeau, Strategic Advisor, Catherine Thibedeau Consulting LLC. Topic: Who Will Shape the Future of IDD Services? Mergers, Partnerships, Private Equity, and What They Mean for People and Public Funds. 
Discussion and Q & A will follow.

      2.  Brief Updates on the following:
           a. Services:
                1.  DHHS, Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) – Derek Fales and Sara FleurantDHHS, Children’s Behavioral
                2.  Health Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) - Dean Bugaj
                3.  DOL, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – Steve Ball
                4.  DOE, Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) – Sandy Flacke and/or Tracy Whitlock
           b. Advocacy:
               1.  Disability Rights Maine (DRM) – Megan Salvin
           c. Housing and Federal Funding
               1.  Federal funding update
               2.  Section 8 Update
               3.  HUD Section 811 Update
               4.  Non-Emergency Transportation
               5.  The Equal Access Rule
          d. State Legislature – MACSP and Legislators in attendance 
​          e. Other business:
              1.  Coalition Website Update – www.maineparentcoalition.org
              2.  Other updates, announcements, and Agenda for next Coalition meeting

• Next meeting: October 19, 2026; 12:00-2:00pm (3rd Monday, exception)
• Featured Speaker and Topic: TBD. 

 The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation.  If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].