Joe's Team believes that children are our greatest resource and that we therefore must invest in them, as they are our future. Today we're promoting an organization that does just that: KidsPeace is a private charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities. Founded in 1882, KidsPeace provides a unique psychiatric hospital; a comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; and a variety of foster care and community-based treatment programs to help people in need overcome challenges and transform their lives. The experts at KidsPeace provide emotional and physical health care and educational services in an atmosphere of teamwork, compassion and creativity.

KidsPeace has a presence here in Maine: its campus in Ellsworth Programs offers treatment for youth on the autism spectrum, and highly structured expert psychiatric care for youth who require 24-hour clinical, residential and educational services and supervision.

There are nearly 400,00 children in foster care in the US, with over 250,000 entering each year. Here in Maine, there are roughly 2200 children in our care, with 1700 licensed foster homes. If you think foster parenting may be in your future, please learn more about this process here.

                   Photo from KidsPeace facebook page.