Letter from Maine CDC Director, Dr. Puthiery Va

Published on: February 4, 2026

February 2, 2026

Dear Colleague,

Maine CDC is grateful for your steadfast work to provide needed health care services for all Maine people. We stand ready to assist you in providing clinical care where possible. In the current environment, Maine CDC shares your concerns about providing timely and necessary health care to those who need it. We are offering the services already routinely provided by our Public Health Nurses across the State.

Maine CDC’s Public Health Nurses (PHNs) are registered nurses working to improve, preserve, and protect the health of individuals, families, and communities across Maine. PHNs operate in homes, clinics, and within community to provide services, particularly to vulnerable populations, including prenatal care, adult health services, and communicable disease management.

Services provided. PHNs routinely provide maternal and child health support and education, adult health services, communicable disease control and prevention, and New Mainer health services. PHN offers expertise in community and stakeholder groups, facilitates immunization clinics, and helps protect communities in the event of disaster.

How to get in touch. To connect with Public Health Nurses or request services, fill out the form on the Maine CDC website.

CradleME Referral System

CradleME is a free, confidential, and voluntary referral service that connects parents, expectant parents, caregivers, and community members across the age spectrum from infancy to older Mainers with clinical support services. Clinicians and providers can request referral for services. Also, individuals can request services directly.

Services provided. CradleME is a partnership between many programs, including Public Health Nursing, Maine Families, Early Intervention for Me (Maine Department of Education), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition, MaineMOM, Help Me Grow, Plan of Safe Care, Access Maine, and 211 Maine.
How to get in touch. Request for services requires completing a form on the CradleME website.

This is a time for health care providers to work together in support of vulnerable populations in homes and in communities. The Maine CDC is here to help.

Kindly,

Dr. Puthiery Va, Director Maine CDC