All Programs Transitioning to New Providers to Ensure Continuity of Care Across
Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties
Efforts to establish a unified Community Action Agency serving Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties are moving forward ahead of schedule, with key program transitions now complete and others well underway. The creation of a new, collaborative agency—anticipated to launch with a new name and brand in 2026—marks a significant step toward enhanced service delivery, greater regional coordination, and long-term sustainability.
As of October 1, all remaining Downeast Community Partners (DCP) contracts for essential services have either been transitioned to Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) or are actively in process with strong support from state partners and community stakeholders. This includes major programs such as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Whole Family Services, Head Start and Early Head Start, Energy and Housing Services, and Elder Services, including Friendship Cottage.
Importantly, this is not a merger as efforts are underway to formally wind down DCP, but a strategic and future-focused transformation that will result in a new agency specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the three-county region. A newly formed Board of Directors, with representation from Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties, will be seated in the coming months to lead the next phase of development.
“This has been a time of great change, but also of great care,” said Anne Perry, Chairperson of the Downeast Community Partners Board of Directors. “Our Board and staff have worked tirelessly and with deep commitment to ensure a smooth transition of services—especially for our most vulnerable neighbors in Washington and Hancock Counties. We are confident that ACAP will carry forward the legacy of community action in Downeast Maine with the same compassion and dedication that DCP has long been known for. We’re also excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with our colleagues in Aroostook County to shape a new, regionally focused agency that can better meet the needs of all three counties.”
Major Program Transitions Completed or Underway
Head Start & Early Head Start: Transitioned to ACAP, as interim service provider, on July 1, 2025, with no service disruption and nearly 50 staff retained.
Energy & Housing Services: As of August 1, 2025, ACAP now delivers all energy assistance programs in these areas for Washington and Hancock Counties, and is working with MaineHousing to transition housing programs such as weatherization and home repair.
Whole Family Services: Actively transitioning with strong support from the state and a solid foundation from past collaboration.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): The DCP Board formally endorsed the transition to ACAP, which began administering the grant for Washington and Hancock Counties as of October 1, 2025.
Elder Services (Friendship Cottage): With final coordination with DHHS for licensing and contract alignment, ACAP assumed these services on October 1, 2025.
Transportation: In early September, DCP announced it would cease transportation services. Since that time, agency leaders have worked diligently to secure new providers to ensure that the transportation needs of residents in Washington and Hancock Counties continue to be met. As a result of these efforts, Waldo Community Action Partnership and Ridesource will now assume responsibility for delivering these critical services.
“This transition has truly been about people first,” said Jason Parent, CEO of ACAP. “We’re incredibly grateful to the DCP Board and leadership for the trust they’ve placed in us to carry forward this vital work. The formation of a new, three-county Community Action Agency will allow us to be more sustainable, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of the people we serve. And most importantly, it’s the same trusted staff—familiar faces—who community members have long turned to for support. We’ve been proud to welcome most of DCP’s program staff into the ACAP team, ensuring that high-quality, compassionate service continues without interruption.”
With service transitions now largely complete, the next phase focuses on building the governance and identity of the new agency. A representative Board of Directors from all three counties will guide this process, with the unveiling of a new agency name and brand expected in 2026.
Throughout this complex and careful transition, the goal has remained the same: to protect vital services and strengthen the foundation for future impact across Northern and Downeast Maine.
