Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Due to a number of reasons, at least in the moment, their parents are unable to care for them. Many children entering foster care will be reunited with their birth parents or extended family members. Other children will need an adoptive home, and sometimes foster parents become their child’s adoptive family.
Children in foster care range from 0 to 21 years old, have experienced trauma, and may have a hard time trusting adults. Some children may have emotional or physical challenges which have the best outcomes when they are part of a family.
There is a special need for resource parents who are able to welcome older youth, sibling groups of three or more children, or infants and young children while supporting the work of reunification with their birth families.
Foster families are connected with a DHHS licensing staff and have regular contact with a case worker. There are peer supports, support groups, events, and a community of foster families across the state that support one another, with additional supports available.
The first step is to contact A Family for ME. We will answer your questions and help you get started when you are ready. Call us at 1-844-893-6311 or complete our form.
Not ready to be licensed?
Here are a few ways you can help support children in foster care!
1.Talk to friends and family about foster care — they may be inspired!
2. Invite a recruiter to speak to a community group or set up a table at an event
3. Volunteer to hang fliers in your community
4. Volunteer to staff a table
Contact us for more information!
A Family for ME is a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and Spurwink Services, with the focus of raising awareness of the urgent need and finding Maine families who are willing and able to parent children in foster care.
Meet The Staff
Jaynelle Smith is the Recruitment Supervisor for A Family for ME. Her experience includes services to children and families with Spurwink’s treatment foster care program. She has spent the last 20 years of her career working with communities to educate them on the need for foster care in Maine. She enjoys professional networking and advocating for healthy environments for children. She has a master’s degree in Public Health and is a licensed social worker for the State of Maine. In her personal time, Jaynelle loves running, yoga, kayaking, boating, camping, traveling, and anything that involves her family.
Stephanie Eklund is the Recruitment Specialist for York, Cumberland & Sagadahoc counties. She is a former and long-standing advocate for victims of domestic violence. Stephanie brings with her a wealth of knowledge regarding recruitment, collaborative efforts with community members, public speaking and training, volunteer engagement, and helping people in need. In her personal time, Stephanie enjoys reading, working out, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Kasey McDonough is the Recruitment Specialist for Kennebec and Somerset counties. She is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Kasey is an Americorps alumnus with previous experience in group home management, therapeutic foster care, and working with children with special needs. Kasey joined the AFfME team to pursue her passion for helping children find safe and loving homes. In her personal time, Kasey is an artist who enjoys spending time with her family on the water.
Amy Bergeron is the Recruitment Specialist for Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Aroostook counties. She applies her 15 years of experience in the fields of recruitment and human resources to assist the A Family for ME team in spreading awareness regarding the critical need for resource parents in Maine. Amy enjoys spending her personal time with her family, pets, and various civic/volunteer commitments.
Patricia Tate is a Recruitment Specialist for Hancock, Washington, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties. She graduated from the University of Maine in Orono. She brings with her experience as a Recruiter and a Behavior Health Professional. She believes every child deserves a place to call home. In her personal time, Patricia enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends swimming, boating, kayaking and bike riding
Christine Brown is the Recruitment Specialist for Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin counties, and is also the Community Outreach Coordinator for A Family for ME. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine. Christine began her employment at Spurwink Services in 2014 as a Treatment Foster Care Support Specialist and added the role of Community Outreach Coordinator in 2019. She has more than 25 years of experience working with children in a variety of professional settings and currently manages the AFfME volunteer program. In her free time, Christine enjoys kayaking and home improvement projects.
Crista Jakacky is the Marketing and Communications Specialist for A Family for Me. She has several years of experience in small business management and a background in sales. She has studied Multimedia and Communications at Beal University and the University of Maine at Augusta. She is passionate about social justice causes, music, writing, and anything related to the arts. Crista performs locally in a musical duo act and enjoys writing, graphic designing, kayaking, home improvement projects, and spending time with her family.
