YORK COUNTY — Community Partners, Inc. has announced a merger with Spurwink Services to become effective Jan. 1.

The merged organization will retain the name Spurwink Services and will continue the mission of  providing service to those in Maine living with intellectual and development disabilities, autism and behavioral health and medical needs.

Company officials say the merger is pending required regulatory approvals.

“Our Boards of Directors are delighted by the benefits to the community offered by this planned merger. Our missions are fully aligned and both organizations have reputations for high quality, client-centered services,” said Alistair Raymond, Spurwink Board of Directors chair. “Together, we will be able to offer a full continuum of care and services from early childhood through a person’s lifetime, and meet a wide range of behavioral health, IDD and medical needs.”

Spurwink is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with 57 years of experience providing educational, residential and community-based services for people with emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. 

Community Partners, Inc. offers help to local residents with developmental disabilities and their families in overcoming barriers to inclusion by meeting individual needs with effective strategies and services. 

“The merged organization will honor and celebrate the powerful legacy of service provided by CPI since 1967,” said Eric Meyer, Spurwink’s President and CEO. “Our combined organization will be better able to provide critical behavioral health services, improve client care, and continue to deliver community-based services to clients throughout the state.”

Starting with a home for eight boys in 1960, Spurwink has developed a comprehensive array of services to meet the emerging and varied needs of children, youth, and adults across Maine.

With locations from Biddeford to Cornville, Spurwink offers educational services through four Kindergarten through Grade 12 day treatment schools and a therapeutic preschool along with residential programing that offers care and treatment for children and youth who are unable to live safely at home. Spurwink’s Child Abuse Program that provides forensic child abuse evaluations and treatment; adult services that include day treatment and residential programming, while Spurwink’s Mental Health Center that provides outpatient mental health services in Portland for adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and an array of outpatient and community services for children, adults, and families in schools, homes, and other locations across Maine.

“There is a great deal of synergy between the clinical models of CPI and Spurwink. Employees from both organizations offer depth of experience and passion, and the merger will enhance the services available to individuals and families,” said Francoise Paradis, Community Partners, Inc. Board Chair.

CPI has provided direct support services to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism and their families since its launch more than 50 years ago.  Its programs provide group and independent living, health care, personal and vocational supports. Individuals are supported residentially with a variety of housing options, ranging from supported independent living to licensed facilities in communities throughout southern and central Maine. 

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