Portland Public Health Division | 389 Congress Street | Portland, Maine 04101 | (207) 874-8784

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Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine Webinar Series  (3/3/2010)
The series takes the audience from the foundations of smoke-free policy adoption, financial and health benefits of going smoke-free, legality and further justification of policy implementation, to drafting policy language and enforcing an existing policy. More

New Resource for Expectant/New Mothers Now Available  (2/19/2010)
Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health. More

New County Health Rankings Give First County-by-County Snapshot of Health in Each State  (2/17/2010)
University of Wisconsin/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project ranks counties on how healthy people are and how long they live. More

Seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccines Available For Everyone  (2/9/2010)
The Public Health Division has seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines available by appointment for everyone. More

British doctor rebuked over research linking vaccine and autism  (2/3/2010)
Britain's medical regulator finds that Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who now practices in Texas, conducted his now-discredited research on the MMR shot in an unethical and irresponsible manner. More

Salmonella-Related Sausage Recall Expanded  (2/1/2010)
Daniele Inc., the company whose sausage products have been linked to a widespread Salmonella outbreak, expanded its earlier product recall to include another 17,235 pounds of products that may be contaminated by black pepper. Stores that carry the affected products in Maine include BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club. More

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Over-The-Counter Products  (1/15/2010)
The company is initiating this recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. More

2009 Cumberland County Municipal Health Assessments Now Available  (1/14/2010)
New Cumberland County municipal health assessments now available. More

The Hidden Benefits of Exercise   (1/5/2010)
Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases More

Vaccine Refusal Raises Chickenpox Risk  (1/5/2010)
Kids Are 9 Times More Likely to Get Chickenpox if They Don't Get Vaccinated. More

H1N1 Vaccine Now Recomended for ALL Mainers  (12/15/2009)
Based on demand and a large recent increase in H1N1 vaccine supply, Maine CDC is now recommending that H1N1 vaccine be offered to anyone who wishes to receive it. More

Portland Community Health Center Now Open  (11/10/2009)
Portland Community Health Center is a full-service, primary care medical facility, and is now open and accepting new patients. More

Report: Smoking Bans Protect Nonsmokers' Hearts  (10/15/2009)
A major report confirms what health officials long have believed: Bans on smoking in restaurants, bars and other gathering spots reduce the risk of heart attacks among nonsmokers. More

City of Portland Public Health Division Selected to Test National Accreditation Program   (9/24/2009)
The City of Portland Public Health Division announced today it was selected by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to participate in a test of the new national voluntary public health accreditation program. More

maternal & child health

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Play Groups
Car Seats
Infant/Child CPR
The Maternal and Child Health Home Visiting program provides home visits to expectant parents and families with infants and young children. Nurses provide support and education for parents about health issues, parenting concerns, and community resources. Also offers prevention, screening and treatment referral services for hazards associated with home environmental health problems including lead, asthma and allergies, radon and asbestos.

Play Groups
Play groups are free, open to the public and drop-in. If you have questions please call 874-8475 for more information. Play groups continue through the summer and during school vacations. If Portland schools are closed due to the weather, play groups will be cancelled.

Cummings Center
134 Congress Street
Portland Maine

Infant Play Group
(1-12 months old)
Tuesday 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Preschooler Play Group
(0 - 5 years old)
Tuesday 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Younger siblings are welcome

Creative Kids
(2 - 5 years old)
Thursday 10:00 am - 11:00 am
A more structured program of story reading, music and craft time.

Call for specific dates -  call 874-8475 for more information.

 

Car Seat Installation Help

You can get your car seat checked at the following locations:

Falmouth Fire Station
Bucknam Road Falmouth exit off I95
Every third Thursday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Cumberland Fire Rescue
366 Tuttle Road Cumberland 829-5421
Free—call for an appointment

North Windham Fire Dept.
Route 302
Every third Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Auburn Police Department
1 Minot Ave.
Every second Monday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

South Portland Police Station
30 Anthoine Street
By Appointment only, call 799-5511.

Westbrook Police Department
570 Main Street
By appointment only, call 854-2531

For information about fitting stations in your area call the Safe Kids Coalition 774-9891 x227

Has your car seat been recalled?  Check the NHTSA website: www.nhtsa.gov.

 

CPR for Infants and Children
Reiche School
166 Brackett Street
Portland Public Health Division

Our CPR classes cover infant and child CPR. We follow the guidelines of the American Heart Center CPR for family and friends. We will provide daycare certification Heartsavers upon request. Portland residents with young children may qualify for an in-home CPR class. Call 874-8475 for more information.

 

First Aid for Infants and Children
Reiche School
166 Brackett Street
Portland Public Health Division  

Maternal and Child Health first aid classes cover home safety and first aid. Day Care providers will receive a certificate which fulfills licensing criteria.

Please call 874-8475 for more information.

Parent education:  We offer talks on various topics of interest to parents of young children.  Call 874-8475 to be added to the mailing list.