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B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S 68 B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N F o r 6 0 y e a r s , Wa y p o i n t M a i n e h a s b u i lt i t s work on a simple but powerful belief: that every child and adult deserves the support, opportunity, and respect needed to reach their fullest potential. Waypoint Maine began six decades ago as a summer camp for people with devel- opmental disabilities and other special needs — a place to build a sense of self, achieve new milestones, and grow in confidence. Today, that founding spirit still drives everything Waypoint Maine does, even as the organization grows to meet the changing needs of the people and communities it serves. Waypoint Maine is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and empower children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities to reach their fullest potential. It pursues that mission through a comprehensive and thoughtfully connected range of ser- vices: a special purpose private school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, case management for adults and children, outpatient therapy, residential and in-home support for adults, shared living, remote support, assistive technology, integrated supports, and community supports. Each of these programs is built around the same set of principles — promoting independence, social engagement, and self-empowerment through community participa- tion and a deeply individualized approach to care. No two people Waypoint Maine serves are alike, and its programs are designed to honor that, meeting each individual where they are and helping them move toward the goals that matter most to them and their families. A Network of Support Across Southern and Western Maine Waypoint Maine serves children and adults across Cumberland, Oxford, and York counties, offering a continuum of care that spans a person's entire life. For families, that continuity is one of the orga- nization's most meaningful strengths. A child who begins with early support can grow into school-age services, and an adult can find the right blend of independence and assistance at every stage of life — all within a single, mission-driven network that knows them well. at continuum is built to be flexible — a connected web of care rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Programs such as the Fraser Ford School, which serves students in pre-K through fifth grade, anchor the school-age years, while a wide range of adult supports adapts to each stage of life beyond them. Whether someone needs a few hours of community support each week, specialized clinical services, a residential setting, or technology that opens new doors to independence, Waypoint Maine can help assemble the right combi- nation — and adjust it as needs change over time. Underlying all of it is a firm commitment to quality. Waypoint Maine works in close partnership with stakeholders, families, guardians, and community members to ensure its services continue to meet the evolving needs of children and adults with autism, intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities throughout Maine. at partnership-driven approach keeps the organization grounded in the real, day-to-day experiences of the people it serves — and it is exactly what makes Waypoint Maine's tagline, "e Power of Community," more than a slogan. Strengthening the Western Region Late last year, the organization completed a merger with e Progress Center, Inc., a respected provider of community-based care that officially merged into Waypoint Maine effective October 31, 2025. at merger expanded Waypoint Maine's presence in Western Maine and reinforced its commitment to person-centered care, community inclusion, and lifelong support. e Progress Center brought with it a strong legacy of service for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and behavioral health challenges, along with established residential services and community supports. ose programs, the staff who deliver them, and the relationships they have built continue seamlessly under the Waypoint Maine name, ensuring uninterrupted care for the individuals and families who depend on them. "We are thrilled to welcome e Progress Center as part of Waypoint Maine," said Jennifer Putnam, CEO of Waypoint Maine, at the time of the merger. "eir values, expertise, and deep community roots make this a natural fit." For the Western Region, the practical benefits mirror those seen elsewhere in Waypoint Maine's network: greater organizational stabil- ity, shared expertise, and access to a wider array of services, all while preserving the local relationships and community knowledge that make care effective. It is an approach that reflects Waypoint Maine's broader philosophy of growth — building a cohesive network of care that honors the unique strengths of each community it serves, while fostering innovation and best practices across all its programs. For the individuals and families already receiving services through e Progress Center, the change has been felt as reassuring rather than disruption. e same familiar faces, routines, and relationships remain firmly in place, now strengthened by the added resources, training, and stability that come with being part of a larger, estab- lished organization. Over time, that foundation opens the door to new possibilities — whether that means access to additional services, expanded clinical expertise, or simply the confidence that comes from knowing a trusted provider is at the helm. Welcoming e Little Dolphin School e Little Dolphin School is the most recent chapter in a season of meaningful growth for Waypoint Maine. Waypoint Maine is proud to welcome e Little Dolphin School into its network of services — wonderful news for families across Southern Maine and a natural extension of Waypoint Maine's long-standing com- mitment to giving children the strongest possible start in life. For nearly five decades, e Little Dolphin School has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in the region. From its locations in Westbrook and Scarborough, the school cared for and educated children from birth through age six, earning a Waypoint Maine, Inc. 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, ME 04073 Sector: Social Services Jennifer Putnam, Executive Director Founded: 1966 Maine employees: 385 waypointmaine.org e Power of Community Waypoint Maine Grows to Serve More Children and Families Above: A Waypoint Maine Direct Support Professional with members on Bauneg Beg Lake P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F W A Y P O I N T M A I N E