Community Living Association

Directions Website

Community Living Association 18 Military Street, Houlton, Maine 04730
(207) 532-9446 A BRIEF HISTORY...

CLA has a long history in the Houlton Community.

In 1967 a small group of educators and parents of people with developmental disabilities organized a training program in a church basement, funded with money raised in the community. Initially, this private, non-profit organization was incorporated as the Southern Aroostook Association for Retarded Children (SAARC). In the mid-1970’s the New Horizons Preschool was opened. The group changed its name to the Southern Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens to reflect the emphasis on services for all people, regardless of age. The Houlton Residential Center (HRC) was established in 1977. This nursing care facility provided a home for 35 individuals with mental retardation. As SAARC entered the 1980’s a nationwide change in philosophy recognized that individuals with disabilities deserve to live in small home-like environments in their local communities, rather than large, isolated institutions. HRC began the process of downsizing. The Park Street and High Street Homes were opened in order to offer people smaller homes. Years of planning led to the closure of HRC in 1991. The HRC residents were moved into two new nursing facilities and another small home on Fifth Street. At this time SAARC changed its name to Community Living Association to express the goal of supporting individuals who live and work in the community. Since 1991 CLA has opened waiver (adult foster care) homes on Bangor Road, Green Street, Ruth Road and 2 on Joseph Street in order to continue working toward the goal of allowing people to live in small, comfortable homes. While the residential services were expanded and changed throughout the years, the day program and work programs were also being transformed. In the 1970’s these programs were housed in the Old Longfellow School building. However, the old building had many problems and in 1989 the new Roger Randall Center for Developmental Services was built alongside the old school building. Today people from CLA’s residences, people from their family homes in the community and people from independently operated adult foster homes meet at Roger Randall Center to receive training and supported employment services. Other work and training programs have evolved in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Since 1967 CLA has grown from a small nonprofit group employing one person to the second largest employer in the town of Houlton. The number of people with developmental disabilities served by the association has also grown. Although CLA’s fundamental mission has always been to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, it’s mission statement today has a special focus on community inclusion.

On September 24th, Community Living Association was honored to partner with the Maine Association for Community Service ...
10/12/2026

On September 24th, Community Living Association was honored to partner with the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP) to host a meet-and-greet for local candidates running for state office. Leaders from several agencies also joined us to share information and connect.

We’re grateful to the candidates who took time out of their busy schedules to learn more about the issues and challenges facing the individuals we support and the organizations that support them. Thank you to everyone who participated! Thank you to the candidates: Don Ardell, Tracy Quint, Matt Rush, Lucien Daigle and Lori Kenneson.

We LOVE our Case Managers!
10/12/2026

We LOVE our Case Managers!

10/04/2026

The Maine Association of Community Service Providers is a wonderful group of nonprofit organizations who provide a variety of critical services to disabled individuals. I was able to briefly attend the legislative breakfast this morning, and even in that short time, had meaningful, informed conversations on some critical issues we need the next administration to address.

I love the heart of these providers and their staff who equip and teach our residents that may need a little more help than some. We need to make sure they receive the COLAs and budgets that were approved by the legislature.

At Community Living Association, we’ve raised all of our DSP and CNA pay scales! We’re looking for caregivers who want t...
10/02/2026

At Community Living Association, we’ve raised all of our DSP and CNA pay scales! We’re looking for caregivers who want to work for a company that values what they do. We offer full benefits including:
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time off
• A Retirement Match
• Longevity and other Bonuses
• Life Insurance
• Low staff/client ratios
• Opportunity to advance (It can be a career!)
• Fuel discounts (when available)
• Giveaways to staff (including concert tickets)

If you have not worked with a person with disabilities, why not give it a try? You’ll find it a very rewarding job working with people and for people who appreciate you! Call us today! Or apply on line at www.clamaine.org

09/22/2026

Job Announcement:
Director of Community Support (Day Programs)

CLA is looking for a proven leader to guide our Community Support (Day Programs). The Director of the Day Programs will oversee the four Community Support (Day Programs) and the Supported Employment Program. As a member of CLA’s executive management team, the Director is responsible for daily Community Support operations, leadership, and working with the executive management team to establish long-range goals, objectives, strategies, priorities, new initiatives, plans, and policies. This person will provide leadership to the Habilitation Supervisors in the development, communication, and implementation of effective solutions to operational challenges. This is a hands-on role, and the Director will help to recruit, train, and develop Community Support Staff. They will:
*Ensure compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, laws, and licensure.
*Develop and monitor the department budget. Maintain on-call availability.
* Foster positive relations with clients, staff, agencies, parents/guardians, and the community.
* Provide leadership to ensure CLA’s mission, core values, and positive work culture are maintained and enhanced.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a combination of relevant experience and education. Strong background in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. A minimum of 4 years of management and supervision experience.

Please email your resume and work references to:
[email protected]

Community Living Association provides equal opportunity in employment

Send a message to learn more

As we close out DSP and Staff Appreciation Week 2026; we send one final THANK YOU to all of our staff for all you do! F...
09/20/2026

As we close out DSP and Staff Appreciation Week 2026; we send one final THANK YOU to all of our staff for all you do! Following are pictures of: CHECK DAY (bonus checks delivered to all staff at all sites), Leadership standing roadside showing our DSP love, and Staff Appreciation Dinner with lots of cash and door prize winners.

09/18/2026

We love our case management staff!

09/18/2026

A huge shout out to our staff at Harmony!

09/17/2026

Thank you to the team at Forest Springs!

A few pics of our great staff( more to come) at the Up Over tonight. Lots of great food( as usual) , fun giveaways, a...
09/17/2026

A few pics of our great staff( more to come) at the Up Over tonight. Lots of great food( as usual) , fun giveaways, and celebration of our fabulous staff at CLA . We so appreciate each and every one of you. CLA is blessed ! Thank you to Leslie, Marty, and Porter for the wonderful job they did with well over 100 of our staff being in attendance. It’s awesome seeing everyone get together and seeing all the smiles this event produces. To the staff that were working tonight, you will receive gift cards and many of you were winners of raffles . You were all missed. Thank you CLA staff for your dedication to the people we serve .

Address

18 Military Street
Houlton, ME
04730

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Community Living Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category