Community Action agency says it has absorbed Down East Community Partners services and seeks $3,367 from Ellsworth

Jason Parent, CEO, addressed the council to explain that his agency stepped in after Down East Community Partners (DCP) entered receivership and began transitioning remaining programs and contracts. Parent said federal and state partners asked the agency to ensure services continued and that most programs — including Head Start sites, aging services (notably Friendship Cottage), weatherization, home repairs and the home energy assistance program — remained active through the transition.

Parent offered an operational snapshot: he said his agency provided 355 documentable services to Ellsworth residents last year and that the agency reported roughly $613,614 in revenue tied to services for local residents (he described the revenue amount as an approximate figure during the workshop). He described adopting a per‑capita funding formula (based on the 2020 census) and asked Ellsworth for $0.40 per resident through 2030, which he said amounts to $3,366.80 and was rounded by the town manager to $3,367.

Councilors and staff acknowledged the complexity of the transition, the mix of legacy data from DCP and new agency reporting, and the need for follow‑up detail. Parent said his leadership is prioritizing continuity of early care and education services in Ellsworth and exploring partnerships with the local school department to share resources.

Council took no formal action; staff will log the request for municipal contribution and include it in subsequent budget deliberations.