Happy Wednesday!
Something to make you smile….
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New this Week
Responses to Challenges Associated with the COVID-19 Situation
Dear Partners, we are so grateful for your ready responses to this public health situation and want you to know that we are thinking of each of you and how we can work together to support each other and our communities.
We encourage people to consult the Maine CDC website which provides helpful guidance in the FAQ section, as well as some helpful tips from SAMHSA in the Favorite Resources section of this newsletter. We are developing our own resources that we will share with you asap and are gearing up to respond to any requests for help with online trainings and convenings as you and your staff lean more on virtual tools to conduct business, provide services and address community needs. To request an online training, please use our Training & Technical Assistance Request form.
CCC staff will continue to work from home, and meetings will be held using Zoom technology for the remainder of March into April. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us using either the form or email/phone contacts listed on the Contact Us page of our website. We also encourage people to share needs and offers in this newsletter, and remind service providers that we have a needs & offers platform for you on facebook: Poverty Buster Resource Connection.
Update for Rural Partners, Stakeholders, and Communities
on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response
Please join the CDC for an update on the COVID-19 response. Registration is required. Date: Monday, March 23, 2020/ Time: 1 pm/ Presenter: Dr. Jay Butler (Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases). Dr. Butler will share guidance with partners, public health practitioners, healthcare providers, and others working to protect the health of rural communities. He will describe what CDC knows at this point and what CDC is doing in response to this outbreak. We will also have time for questions and answers. Please email eocevent337@cdc.gov to submit questions in advance and indicate that questions are for the 3/23 call. This event will be recorded. Questions not answered during it may be sent to ruralhealth@cdc.gov.
Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19
There have been important changes made to the Unemployment Insurance program that can help Maine low-income workers at this time. Many of us are worried about how to make ends meet if we’re out of work because of COVID-19/Coronavirus. This Thursday, Maine Equal Justice welcomes Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman and local labor and community groups for an online meeting about Unemployment Benefits and COVID-19. This call will be helpful for individuals, case workers and advocates. Thursday, March 19th @ 10am RSVP here.
CCC Early Childhood Consultation and Outreach
In light of CDC recommendations about social distancing, all ECCO services have moved to phone or tele-health connections. Any new referrals will be contacted via phone and follow similar protocols. These measures will be put in place until April 1st and extended as necessary as that timeline approaches.
Mission Adopts Drive-Thru Plan for
Food Security Programs
Food security is a key focus of Maine Seacoast Mission. The Mission’s Food Pantry and Senior Commodities program are always buzzing with activity, ensuring the neighbors we serve have fresh, healthy food. As a “distancing” precaution against COVID-19, Mission Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington and her co-workers, came up with an alternative “drive-thru” concept. Food Pantry and Senior Commodities participants called in their orders ahead of time. Volunteers prepared food orders. Participants arrived in their cars and, directed by Jillian’s new hand-painted sign, drove up to a volunteer who delivered the food orders to the cars. — Nicely done. Onward and upward! Learn More.
Addiction Speaks Cancelled
In light of the current response to limit spread of illness, the April 11th performance of Addiction Speaks that was to take place in the Performing Arts Center at UMM has been cancelled. The production company hopes to be able to revisit the possibility of bringing Addiction Speaks to Washington County later this year.
Tobacco Prevention Brown Bag Lunch Zoom
Healthy Acadia’s April 1st brown bag lunch on tobacco prevention is now a Zoom-only event from 11:30 — 12:50. Katie Sell and Georgie Kendall will present a non-clinical outreach training for the CCC, including an overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping). Get Zoom details in the One-Time Events section below.
Take Back the Night March/Rally to Raise Sexual Assault Awareness
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and a series of awareness raising events have been planned, including the annual Take Back the Night March on April 15th. The March will start at 6 pm at the Machias Chamber of Commerce and continue to the University of Maine at Machias, Science 102, for a rally and speakout. The program will conclude with a candlelight vigil and is open to the public. A shuttle bus will be available in the front of Powers Hall starting at 5:30 pm. If this event is cancelled, we will let you know.
March Washington County Food Pantry Network Meeting
The next GSFB Community Driven Strategies Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2 – 4 pm at the Wabanaki Cultural Center and Museum, 39 Union Street in Calais, with Zoom access (see Standing Meetings section of this newsletter for complete invitation). Snow date: Friday, March 27, same time and location.
Downeast Public Health Council
The Local Public Health Systems Assessment Meetings scheduled for March 20, April 3, and April 17 have been postponed. These meetings will be rescheduled and we will get an update out in late April. Since our regular Downeast Public Health Council Meeting date is now open, we would use the time for a virtual council meeting — Friday March 20, 2020: 9:30 – 11:30 am. Read the agenda in the Standing Meetings section of this newsletter.
UWEM Help with Volunteer Needs
United Way of Eastern Maine has established a COVID-19 Volunteer Site and invites organizations to share their volunteer needs with UWEM to help get them posted. Review this PDF for the details they will to post your opportunity. Simply send an email what that information to info@unitedwayem.org with the subject line “Volunteer Opportunity for Posting.”
Cobscook Virtual Community Survey
In light of the current coronavirus situation, Cobscook is cancelling or postponing all on-campus activities through early April and closing the campus to visitors until further notice. They are identifying creative solutions for virtual learning and connection and have developed a survey for community members to share ideas and wishes for virtual community connection and workshops. Here is a link to the survey.
Hope Fund Closed Until June
The Hope Fund Committee has reached the end of funding for this period and has stopped accepting applications. The Hope Fund will re-open in June. In the interim, organizations such as the Maine People’s Alliance and United Way of Eastern Maine are great resources for information and links to various types of supports. In addition, Maine Equal Justice has created a special site with resources and information on health care, food and financial security, housing and other basic needs and supports during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Updates
Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation
House Bill Passed
Guaranteeing Emergency Paid Sick Leave for Those Affected by COVID-19
The House of Representatives voted Saturday morning to approve a bill aimed at easing the economic toll the novel coronavirus has on individuals… the bill — which passed the House on a bipartisan basis — is expected to proceed through the Senate successfully.
Just after midnight on Saturday morning, House lawmakers voted 363-40 to pass H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, to financially support Americans during the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. In its current form, the package ensures that working people are able to access paid leave should they become infected or need to give care. It also strengthens existing unemployment insurance and food assistance programs, and will provide free diagnostic testing for the virus
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One-Time Events
Fairs, trainings, conferences and more in the state of Maine
Please consult with the organizations hosting the following events for up-to-date information on cancellations and postponements
Update for Rural Partners, Stakeholders, and Communities
on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response
March 23, 2020
Please join the CDC for an update on the COVID-19 response. Registration is required. Date: Monday, March 23, 2020/ Time: 1 pm/ Presenter: Dr. Jay Butler (Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases). Dr. Butler will share guidance with partners, public health practitioners, healthcare providers, and others working to protect the health of rural communities. He will describe what CDC knows at this point and what CDC is doing in response to this outbreak. We will also have time for questions and answers. Please email eocevent337@cdc.gov to submit questions in advance and indicate that questions are for the 3/23 call. This event will be recorded. Questions not answered during it may be sent to ruralhealth@cdc.gov.
Play Therapy Roundtable Retreat
originally March 27-28, 2020 — to be rescheduled
By the Sea Seminars (APT Provider 04-144) invites you to a play therapy roundtable retreat at Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center, Saco, ME. This year’s Roundtable retreat is a great opportunity to not only earn play therapy CE’s, but to learn with other child therapists. This year we will be exploring play therapy supervision, ethics, and yoga, meditation and mindfulness in child sessions. Come learn, rest and play! Workshop Details and Registration here.
Tobacco Prevention Brown Bag Lunch Zoom
April 1, 2020
Healthy Acadia’s brown bag lunch on tobacco prevention is now a Zoom-only event from 11:30 — 12:50. Katie Sell and Georgie Kendall will present a non-clinical outreach training including an overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping). Zoom Invitation: Topic: Tobacco Prevention Brown Bag Lunch. Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 242 364 110
Password: 019169
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Meeting ID: 242 364 110
Take Back the Night March/Rally to Raise Sexual Assault Awareness
April 15, 2020
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and a series of awareness raising events is planned, including the annual Take Back the Night March on April 15th. The March will start at, 6 pm at the Machias Chamber of Commerce and continue to the University of Maine at Machias, Science 102, for a rally and speakout. The program will conclude with a candlelight vigil and is open to the public. A shuttle bus will be available in the front of Powers Hall starting at 5:30 pm.
WCCP Dental Clinic
April 27-May 2, 2020
The Dental Program of Sunrise Opportunities is once again partnering with New York University College of Dentistry outreach program to hold a free dental clinic for children and adults at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias the week of April 27th through May 2nd. Visit Sunrise Opportunities’ website for the complete schedule or download this flyer.
Dental Clinic Conversation
April 28, 2020
The CCC invites partners and community members to a conversation with NYU Dental School students on April 28th from 12 — 1 pm in the large conference room at Sunrise County Economic Center. The students will be volunteering at Sunrise Opportunities’ Dental Clinic from April 27th through May 2nd and would like to have a conversation with local providers and community members about health and potential barriers to health in Washington county. If you would like to be a part of this conversation, please RSVP to Christine.
Building Resilience with Hope
May 5, 2020
The Maine Resilience Building Network, in partnership with UNE’s Center for Excellence in Public Health, invites you to join colleagues from Maine for a one-day conference on HOPE (Healthy Outcomes of Positive Experiences); a framework co-authored by Dr. Robert Sege from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The conference will be held on May 5th at UNE Portland, Innovation Hall. This daylong session will leave participants, from trainee to experienced practitioners, with new approaches and concrete skills to improve the effectiveness of their work with young children and their families. All professionals are invited to attend: social workers, public health and healthcare professionals, guidance counselors, educators, child and family advocates, therapists, behavioral health professionals, policy makers and public safety officers. Education credit for this program is pending. Registration Fees: $75 member, $150 non-member, $30 full-time student. Details and link to register here.
DV Training for Mental Health Care Professionals
May 7 & 8, 2020
Next Step is presenting 2 days of domestic violence training for licensed social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and psychologists in need of meeting the 2020 mandates for domestic violence training — May 7th & 8th in Machias (location tba). See flyer for details. Contact Cheyenne Robinson-Bauman with questions and to register.
2020 Care Partner Summit
May 16, 2020
Registration is now open for the third international bilingual 2020 Care Partner Summit | Cumbre Para Cuidadores. Join in from anywhere in the world on May 16, 2020 as we celebrate all care partners! The Summit is designed with care partners in mind and is recommended for anyone caring for someone living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), including spouses, partners, adult children or friends. The event will be recorded and broadcast in English and Spanish live from Miami, FL. All presentations will be livestreamed to Parkinson’s Foundation viewing parties, taking place around the country. Every session features an expert speaker on topics chosen by a committee of current and former care partners. This year, the theme is “Planning for the Unpredictable Path of Parkinson’s Caregiving.” Register here.
Impacts of Domestic Violence on Families
June 3, 2020
Join the CCC on June 3rd from 11:30 — 12:50, immediately before the CCC Work Group, for a lunch and learn presentation by Next Step Community Educator, Cheyenne Robinson-Bauman. Get the basics of domestic violence plus its impacts on families, including how financial tensions can trigger situations of DV, and explore ways of supporting families to address DV. Cheyenne will also discuss best practices for safely communicating with families using social media and other technology. Download a flyer to share. Bring your lunch, we’ll provide beverages and dessert. Sign up by emailing Christine. Participants are welcome to stay for the CCC Work Group meeting following from 1 – 3 pm.
Maine Geriatrics Conference
June 11 &12, 2020
Registration is now open for the 30th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference in Bar Harbor where Policy meets Practice. Download the full conference brochure and the conference schedule with detailed descriptions. Don’t delay — Early Bird registration ends April 30th.
Maine Wisdom Summit
September 16, 2020
Save the date of September 16, 2020 for the Maine Wisdom Summit with keynote Speaker, Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging. Kathy has a deep expertise in the areas of aging, long-term care, disability, elder abuse, health care, and community service innovation. She will offer participants a national perspective on health and community reform efforts and partnerships that are working to increase the health and well-being of older people. We are thrilled to have her join us this year! Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Summit. Register to exhibit or be a sponsor here, or email/phone jmaurer@mainecouncilonaging.org /207-592-9972 for more information.
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Serial Classes & Groups
Classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events
DCP Early Childhood Programs
DCP is currently enrolling in their 2020-2021 program year for child care, Head Start, Pre-K, and early Head Start child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Please see flyer for more information. They are also currently enrolling for the full year childcare programs at the Flaherty ECEC and St. Croix ECEC sites here in Washington County. Contact Diane Briggs for more information about the full year programs.
Health Equity Dialogues – Via Zoom Only
The University of Maine at Augusta is hosting a speaker series every Thursday from 12 – 1 pm during the Spring Semester to convene and connect scholars, community members and healthcare practitioners across disciplinary and professional divides to work on high-priority community health challenges in Maine. These events will be taking place online via Zoom for the remainder of the semester as on-site locations are no longer available. Please visit their facebook page for more info and to RSVP.
Inter-Generational Craft Time
Downeast Rainbow Alliance & UMM’s Omicron Delta Pi are pleased to present Inter-Generational Craft Time to help pass the winter months! Bring your crafts to work on at the Cobscook Friends Meeting House in Trescott on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am – 12 noon January through May. Download a flyer to share.
Recovery Coach Trainings
Healthy Acadia is holding a comprehensive series of recovery coach trainings this winter. See which trainings are right for you (download flyers for details):
Domestic Abuse Support Group
Next Step is offering an educational support group starting in January — see flyer. To learn more or to sign up, contact Kelly Brown at 800-315-5579.
Machias Trans-Only Support Group
When: 4th Sundays (NOT the last Sunday of the month), 2-3:30 pm
Where: Health Equity Alliance office, 7 VIP Road, Machias, ME 04654
These meetings are open to trans people only right now (including non-binary and gender non-conforming identities). The meetings are located at Health Equity Alliance office, 7 VIP Road, Machias, ME 04654. Cancellations for this group can be found on the MaineTransNet Facebook page. Questions can be sent to mtn@mainetransnet.org.
Tai Chi for Kidz
Healthy Acadia is offering a Tai Chi for Kidz program to schools — an eight week course (up to one hour per week). See flyer for details.
The Business of Women: Book & Discussion Group
Ruth Feldman, Program Director/Business Advisor with the Women’s Business Center at CEI, invites women in business or thinking about starting a business to a new book & discussion group at the Porter Memorial Library on Tuesday evenings from 5-6:30 pm beginning October 22nd. “We will use the following books as a basis for conversations and try out some free, online tools that can help us to think, plan and take action. We will invite guests who can help to bring the books and topics to life and serve as real-world models from women within our community who have taken a leap in following their dreams. Books are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to be picked up from Porter Library in Machias. Registration required. $25 refundable book deposit or bring your own books.” Download a flyer with the schedule. For more information, please contact Ruth at ruth.feldman@ceimaine.org.
tHuRsday Webinar Series at WCCC
Join Washington County Community College for HR Thursdays beginning in Fall 2019! This is an exciting series of quick lunch-n-learn webinars lead by an exclusive cadre of regional and statewide HR professionals. We will be tapping the robust talent that exists regionally to share best practices and provide technical assistance. Visit this link.
CAN Council Groups
For play groups and classes, go to the Washington County CAN Prevention Council’s facebook page for up-to-the-minute info.
Caregivers Facebook Group
The CCC is launching a private facebook group for caregivers in Washington County – professional caregivers like RNs and CNAs, and informal caregivers like family members providing care for a spouse, parent, specials needs child, sibling or the neighbor across the street. Our goal is for this group to provide a platform for caregivers to talk to each other, ask questions, offer solutions based on experience with similar challenges, and point to helpful resources. Use this link to join.
Downeast MAT Expansion ECHO
Healthy Acadia in collaboration with Qualidigm (formerly Maine Quality Counts) invites you to join a local effort to respond to Maine’s opioid epidemic through education, skill-building, and networking for Downeast clinicians. The Downeast MAT Expansion ECHO program seeks to build local capacity to treat individuals who are struggling with OUDs across Hancock and Washington Counties by offering free education, skill building, and networking to clinicians and the practices they work in. Healthy Acadia, working closely with many key community partners, is offering a two-part Project ECHO program over the coming year. Sign up for Part 2 now: Second Wednesday of the month from September 2019 to May 2020; 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Meetings will be held virtually using Zoom.
Download a flyer for more information. Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based educational model developed by researchers at the University of New Mexico
Community of Practice Groups:
6-8 pm
Maine Roads to Quality invites Early Care & Education professionals to join one of 2 community of practice groups:
- Calais Community of Practice meets on the second Tuesday of each month at WCCC – Riverview Hall, Room 115 (Multi Media Room
- Machias Community of Practice meets on the 4th Monday of each month at UMM – Torrey Hall, Room 228
For more information or to register, please contact Theresa Fisk, District Early Childhood and Youth Coordinator – 207-956-2070 or email: theresa.fisk@maine.edu.
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Standing Meetings & Calendars
Monthly and quarterly meetings, agency/initiative calendars at a glance and other meeting schedules
Maine Resilience Building Network Meeting Schedule
- April 29, 2020: with professional development features speakers Sarah Mattox from the Restorative Justice Project and Ryun Anderson, from the Restorative Justice Institute.
- July 30, 2020
- October 29, 2020
MRBN will continue to hold the quarterly meetings held at Educare Central Maine, Waterville, and will add additional meetings at locations around the State.
Downeast Public Health Council
The Local Public Health Systems Assessment Meetings scheduled for March 20, April 3, and April 17 have been postponed. These meetings will be rescheduled and we will get an update out in late April. Since our regular Downeast Public Health Council Meeting date is now open, we would use the time for a virtual council meeting.
Friday March 20, 2020: 9:30 – 11:30 am
Agenda Items
- Welcome
- Coronavirus Update
- Health Literacy Planning
- Palliative Care Summit Planning
- Adjourn
For Adobe Connect, it is best to join the meeting through your computer for video and audio.
Adobe Connect link: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/rzs3siwpde3y/.
If you do not have the capability, you can certainly join by telephone:
Telephone: 877-455-0244
Participant Code: 124 027 8357#Contact Maura Goss for more info.
G.E.A.R. Parent Network Winter 2020 Learning Events
Supportive Educational Workshops, events and activities are offered FREE to parents/ grandparents/ caregivers/ educators of children with emotional/ behavioral health concerns – download the schedule with descriptions here. Look for Special Events listed in Red print. Pre-registration is recommended, so we may notify you if a workshop is rescheduled or cancelled. Changes will also be posted to our Facebook page. If you are unable to attend in person often workshops are available as a webinar* by GoToMeeting™ with preregistration. Call 1-800-264-9224 with questions.
Downeast Rainbow Alliance
The Downeast Rainbow Alliance has the mission of Advocacy, Education, and Support for the LGBTQ Community in Washington County. Meetings alternate between those held at the Eastport Community Health Center and the University of Maine at Machias. All are welcome. Last meeting of the year is November THU, NOV 21 AT 6:30 PM in Torrey Hall 234 at UMaine Machias. Parking is to the side of the building with accessible parking and elevator. FMI: downeastrainbowalliance@gmail.com.
Calais Area Breast Cancer Support Group
Meetings on the 4th Friday of each month at 3 PM at the Calais United Methodist Church, 849 Main St. (downstairs parlor), in Calais. This free “gathering” is a comforting and safe environment to find encouragement and hope. Open to all that have a breast cancer diagnosis. FMI call Marianne at 454-0501. Download a flyer for more information.
Caregivers Support Group
Join other family/informal caregivers monthly for a supportive meeting at the Maine Veterans Home in Machias, facilitated by Lisa King, LCPC, on the first Friday of the month from 2-4 pm. Contact Lisa King for more information.
Work Group & Poverty Busters
This is a meeting of direct service providers to share resources and network with other providers in your area. This group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, traditionally in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm. Due to the current public health COVID-19 situation, we will be meeting via Zoom only on April 1st. Use this invitation to join:
Topic: CCC Work Group Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 285 030 204
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Send your questions about this meeting to Christine.
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Needs & Offers
Send us your agency/community needs or offers, such as job recruiting
or housing needs.
UWEM Help with Volunteer Needs
United Way of Eastern Maine has established a COVID-19 Volunteer Site and invites organizations to share their volunteer needs with UWEM to help get them posted. Review this PDF for the details they will to post your opportunity. Simply send an email what that information to info@unitedwayem.org with the subject line “Volunteer Opportunity for Posting.”
Cobscook Virtual Community Survey
In light of the current coronavirus situation, Cobscook is cancelling or postponing all on-campus activities through early April and closing the campus to visitors until further notice. They are identifying creative solutions for virtual learning and connection and have developed a survey for community members to share ideas and wishes for virtual community connection and workshops. Here is a link to the survey.
Hope Fund Closed Until June
The Hope Fund Committee has reached the end of funding for this period and has stopped accepting applications. The Hope Fund will re-open in June. In the interim, organizations such as the Maine People’s Alliance and United Way of Eastern Maine are great resources for information and links to various types of supports.
Mission Scholarships – Now Online
Maine Seacoast Mission’s Scholarship Program 2020 Application and Re-Application are available now for downloading online. The deadline postmark for applying for a Mission scholarship is May 1, 2020. Through its Scholarship Program, the Mission helps recent high school graduates and adults, from Maine’s offshore islands and Downeast communities, continue their educations and achieve their dreams. Each year the Mission awards approximately 30 new scholarships based on student financial needs and academic promise. Scholarships can be renewed each year of a multi-year program, resulting in nearly 100 Mission scholarships in any given year. Read more here.
Maine Humanities Council – Call for Facilitators
The Maine Humanities Council is looking for exceptional people Downeast to facilitate multi-session reading and discussion programs – book groups! – in their communities. Facilitators value, enjoy, and are really really good at reading and exploring poems, stories, and ideas in conversation with other curious, interested people. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, whose professional and personal experiences can help the MHC work toward realizing our vision of the communities of Maine transformed by the power and pleasure of ideas. Learn more about becoming a facilitator here.
Resource Advocate Needed
Downeast Community Partners is seeking a full-time Resource Advocate to work with economically vulnerable individuals and families in Washington County. The position will include both short-term assistance with immediate needs as well as offering support on longer-term goals. It will include assisting participants working on many different areas of life depending on the needs. See full job description here.
Hannaford Helps Program to Benefit Maine Families
For the month of March, Maine Families has been selected by the Hannaford Helps program. For every Hannaford Helps bag they sell, Maine Families will receive a $1.00 donation for their car seat fund. Maine Families is the only location in Washington County that provides free car seats to families that need them. With the new law that passed last fall, many families are finding it a hardship to meet the new requirements. And coming in April, free plastic grocery bags will no longer be offered so now is the time to buy reusable bags.
Family in Need of a Toilet!
Please forward any leads on a free toilet or funding for a toilet to Gen Doughty who will forward to this family. They are not in a position to purchase a new appliance and will welcome your ideas.
Senior Companions Needed
Senior Companions serve 10 hours or more per week providing friendly visits and help with everyday activities. Income-eligible volunteers receive a tax-free hourly stipend with mileage reimbursement. For information on how to become a Senior Companion, contact Deborah Gardner, Program Coordinator for Washington County, at deborah.gardner@maine.edu, 207-255-3345 or 1-800-287-1542.
Food 4 All
Washington Academy invites all community members to Food 4 All on 4th Thursdays, February through April, in the Gardner Gymnasium from 3 — 4:30 pm. Bring your shopping bags and pick up complimentary fresh, canned and boxed food. No income restrictions. Download a flyer to share. These events are sponsored by Good Shepherd Food Bank, Healthy Acadia, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Free Tax Prep with DCP
Downeast Community Partners offers free tax preparation through a partnership with AARP Tax Aide and Eastern Maine CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) available at the following sites:
- DCP’s Bucksport Road Office
- Mano en Mano, Maple street Milbridge
Appointments maybe made starting in mid-January, with the first appointments occurring in February. For appointments and more information for DCP sites, call 207-664-2424. More information available at DCP’s Website.
Free Tax Prep with United Way
United Way of Eastern Maine is coordinating the Eastern Maine CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Coalition that provides free tax prep and financial literacy services for low- to mid-income individuals and families. If you have clients (or friends!) who you believe could benefit from the service, here’s a link to a list of all confirmed sites. To schedule an appointment, just call the phone number listed for your preferred site. Download a flyer to share.
Virtual Tax prep Volunteers Needed!
United Way of Eastern Maine is looking for virtual tax prep volunteers – a unique opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of folks in your community… and you don’t even have to leave your house! Complete tax returns online from home on your own schedule, any time, day or night! We provide 100% of the training and there is no minimum number of returns required to participate. We would love to have you join our group of volunteers! We are having an in person training in the weeks to come. Training is also available virtually. Please contact Elizabeth at ElizabethL@UnitedWayEM.org for more information.
Peer Support Specialist in Machias
Community Health & Counseling Services is seeking a part-time peer support specialist for the Machias office. Applicants must have personally experienced mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder and either have or be working toward a CIPPS certification. Full job description and application form here.
Census 2020 – FAQs
The CCC is part of the Washington County Census Coalition working with the Census Bureau to help recruit temporary Census workers and to encourage everyone in Washington County to be counted so our Census data is as accurate as possible. We depend on this data for reporting, grant writing, promoting programs and services, and many other projects, and the data itself directly corresponds to how much federal dollars our schools, programs and services receive. Please share this 2020 Census FAQ fact sheet with partners, colleagues and clients, along with this safety fact sheet on how Census data received from respondents is safe and confidential. Did you know that every Census Bureau employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life? Or did you know that by law, your census responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way? Learn the facts and share them!
Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator
The Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has volunteer positions available for people interested in supporting those navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in your community. Details in this flyer. Contact Alison Russell, manager of education and volunteers, with questions.
Free Window Insulation Kits
Maine Seacoast Mission is once again offering free, reusable interior storm windows in different sizes to seniors and families to help lower heating costs. Contact the Downeast Campus in Cherryfield (546-5870) to pick up your kit, or connect with a Community Caring Collaborative staff member about picking up a kit from their office.
EMDC Workforce Development Services
EMDC has moved to the Career Center in Machias (53 Prescott Drive, near the Hannaford Shopping Plaza). Connect with EMDC staff for employment and training assistance to eligible individuals in EMDC’s five county service area. For assistance in Washington County call Amanda Smith at 951-2349 or email asmith@emdc.org, or call Samantha Giasson at 610-1521 or email Samantha.Giasson@emdc.org if you’ve worked in agriculture/farm work in the last two years. Additional information can be found here.
Free Financial Coaching
Thanks to support from Downeast Community Partners, Joseph Connors has been able to continue offering free coaching on any financial matter to individuals and families in Washington County, following the termination of this program at the end of March by the Consumer Protection Bureau. To make an appointment with Joe, call him at 207-598-5657 or email joe.connors@downeastcommunitypartners.org.
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Favorite Resources
Send us your favorite links to share with other Communique readers.
Help Tips from SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognizes that social distancing and quarantine may come with concerns for individuals, families, and communities. SAMHSA hopes these Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak are of use during this time.
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CCC’s Winter Weather Cancellation Policy
With winter comes snow and ice, making driving hazardous. The Community Caring Collaborative always puts participant safety first, so when considering whether to attend a CCC event during iffy weather, play it safe. If there’s a Zoom option, take it! Our policy is to follow the school district’s closing/delay decisions in the locale of the event. For meetings and trainings in Machias, AOS 96 is the school district. If the school is closed, we will cancel our event. If the school is delayed, we will delay a morning event by 2 hours and hold an afternoon event. If there is an early dismissal, we will cancel afternoon events. You can always consult our facebook page for the event in question where we will announce any cancellations or delays.
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About the Wednesday Communique
This is the Community Caring Collaborative’s weekly newsletter where we share announcements about trainings, meetings and other events, including announcements from our collaborative partners. Look for links to meeting minutes and agendas in the Meetings section, training registration forms and flyers in the One-Time Events section, and job postings and other items of interest in the Announcements section. Subscribe here to get the Communiqué. Make sure to add Community Caring Collaborative to your contacts at claurel@cccmaine.org. Gmail users, check for the Communiqué under the Promotions tab.Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
This mailing goes out every Wednesday, so if you have announcements, please send them to Christine by 5 pm Monday to be included. Thanks!
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