Governor Janet Mills hugging a person at an AARP event, 2019.

“Maine people work hard their entire lives and they deserve to age comfortably in the communities they love. With the establishment of the Cabinet on Aging, we can advance policies across state government that make sure the needs of Maine people are met as they age.”

-- Governor Janet Mills


The Cabinet on Aging, created in 2022 by executive order of Governor Janet Mills, comes at a time when Maine’s median age makes it the oldest state in the nation, with tens of thousands of people expected to retire in the coming years, removing them from the state’s workforce and increasing demand for aging-related services.

The Cabinet on Aging will help Maine prepare for and address these demographic changes by advancing policies that will support Maine people in aging safely, affordably, and in ways and settings that best serve their needs.

The Cabinet will bring together State government agencies to coordinate and advance work on issue such as affordable housing and long-term services and supports; financial security and protection against fraud; access to information, broadband, and services; and engagement and employment in Maine’s growing economy.

The Cabinet consists of:

  • Commissioner, Department of Health and Human Services
  • Commissioner, Department of Labor
  • Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development
  • Commissioner, Department of Administrative and Financial Services
  • Commissioner, Professional and Financial Regulation
  • Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
  • Commissioner, Department of Transportation
  • Director, Maine State Housing Authority

The commissioners of Health and Human Services and Labor will co-chair the Cabinet. The Cabinet is administered by the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, and is required to meet quarterly.

Community Connections

The Community Connector project, a signature initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging, is coordinated by the University of Maine Center on Aging in partnership with Maine's Age-Friendly Communities. The goal of the project is to expand resource connections and increase the capacity of age-friendly communities to connect residents to the services and programs they need to thrive.

Twelve age-friendly communities, from York to Caribou, have launched a pilot program. Each is unique to the community. The age-friendly core team built on community strengths and needs to develop its program focus. However, each shares a goal of increasing access to resources so that older Mainers can live their best lives in the communities they cherish. 

Gray/New Gloucester

Building Trust in Trusted Spaces

Gray New Gloucester Maine Community Connectors Pilot Site Video Link YouTube

Saco

Helping All Neighbors

Saco Maine Community Connectors Pilot Site Video Link YouTube

St. John Valley

Uniting Through Acadian Culture

St. John Valley Caribou Maine Community Connector Acadian Culture YouTube Video Link

 

Sullivan

Finding the Helpers

Sullivan Maine Community Connectors Pilot Site YouTube Link Video

 

Explore the 64 Mini Grant Projects

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Explore the 12 Pilot Sites

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