Mental Health
Meryl C. S. Troop
Director,
Office of Deaf Services and Multicultural Diversity
Maine Dept. Behavioral & Developmental Services
2nd Floor, Marquardt Bldg, AMHI Campus
40 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0040
207-822-0341 V/TTY
207-287-1022 FAX
meryl.troop@state.me.us
Meryl Troop has
worked as a professional sign language interpreter
since 1986 and continues to interpret and advocate for
improved access to services for Deaf people in Maine.
In 1988, Ms. Troop began working for the Maine
Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation (and
later the Office of Substance Abuse Services was
added) as the Deaf Services Coordinator. Current
position is expanded to the Director of the Office of
Deaf Services and Multicultural Diversity within
Maine's Department of Behavioral and Developmental
Services. Work tasks include improving access to
Departmental and contractor services through policy
implementation, development of specialized services,
adaptation to existing mainstream services, training
and resource development.
Signs offering interpreter
services in 14 language are posted in each office location, and are available
to others through the printer. Multicultural Resources, A Guide to
Specialized Services in Maine is available in print or on the web at
http://www.state.me.us/bds/co/multicultural/Index.html.
Training in Cultural Competence is available to social service providers in
Maine. Translation of basic BDS documents has been accomplished, and others
are available on request. Outreach to various ethnic and socio-linguistic
communities in Maine is ongoing.