Early Care & Education

The purpose of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) is to evaluate the ability of Community Action Agencies, to provide diapers and diapering supplies to 100 children on a consistent basis through diaper distribution programs while also offering support services for families with low incomes. As of 05/01/2024, we have stopped adding additional families to the program wait list due to the potential length of the wait. As the program continues and slots become available we will continue to seek additional households as needed.

The Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot is a federal program within the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Diaper Distribution Pilot focuses on making it easier for families with low incomes to get the diapers they need, by funding the expansion of existing diaper distribution services through a robust network of community partners that provide anti-poverty services.

In addition to providing diapers, grant award recipients and their partners, including Community Action Agencies, social service agencies, and diaper banks, will connect families to economic mobility and family support services such as job training, educational support, Early Head Start, housing services, and more.

In Maine the grant recipient for this project was Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP) (hyperlink to: https://mecap.org/). MeCap exists to improve the quality of life of Maine residents by advocating for, promoting and supporting the work of the Maine community action agencies. MeCAP will partner with:

· Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine – Jewish Family Services

· Healthy Community Coalition

· Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness

· Four local community action agencies:

o Aroostook County Action Program

o The Opportunity Alliance

o Waldo County Action Program

o Western Maine Community Action