CCC Communique — March 4, 2020


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Happy Wednesday!

For the month of March, Maine Families has been selected by the Hannaford Helps program!

For every bag they sell that looks like this…

our program will receive a $1.00 donation for our 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.  Thanks for helping us get the word out to support our cause!

In this Newsletter:

New this Week

Addiction Speaks

The CCC, Healthy Acadia and UMM invite you to Addiction Speaks, a dramatic performance based on stories of people impacted by substance use and incarceration, at 6 pm on Saturday, April 11th, in UMM’s Performing Arts Center.  Admission is free and donations welcome.  This presentation will speak to the stigma surrounding both topics for people in recovery.  A panel discussion will follow the performance with folks who have had first-hand experience dealing with these stigmatizing situations.  Addiction Speaks is written and directed by Suzanne M. Ramczyk and performed by the Addiction Speaks Company.  Download a poster to share.


Washington County Food Pantry Network Meeting

Healthy Acadia and the Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance look forward to seeing you at the quarterly meeting of the Washington County Food Pantry Network in March on Thursday, the 12th, from 1–4 pm at Center Street Congregational Church, 9 Center Street, Machias.  We will have two guests speaking on Dementia and Diabetes during the first half of the meeting.  Zoom option available.  Learn more in the Standing Meetings Section of this newsletter.


Lots of new Needs & Offers this week

Please see the Needs & Offers section of the newsletter for more information on:

  • Mission Scholarships – now online
  • Maine Humanities Council – call for facilitators
  • Full-time Resource Advocate Position sought by DCP
  • Hannaford Helps Program to Benefit Maine Families
  • 2020 Census Jobs – final call
  • Family in Need of a Toilet!

Maine Equal Justice has a New Website

Get an introduction to their new website organized around priorities of people, policy, solutions and action in the Favorite Resources section of this newsletter.


Updates  

Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation

How to Explain a Caregiver Gap on Your Resume

 “‘There’s nothing wrong with putting caregiving on your résumé like a job. Instead of a position with a company, write the dates you were out and something like, provided full time care for parent, who has died. That explains that the situation is resolved.’

But don’t be apologetic, whether on your résumé or in a face-to-face interview.

‘Caregiving is a huge responsibility that requires skills of advocacy, persuasiveness, resilience. Keep your explanation simple, one or two sentences, but don’t hide or belittle what you’ve done,’ advised Meehl. ‘Talk about how taking a detour was enriching.’

From: Star Tribune | February 25, 2020

Full Article Here



One-Time Events  

Fairs, trainings, conferences and more in the state of Maine

Volunteer Management for Lifelong Communities
March 9, 2020
UMaine Center on Aging is hosting a no-cost volunteer management for lifelong communities webinar on March 9th from 9 – 10 am.  Presenters:
  • Mary Hadlock, RSVP/Volunteer Services Director, Southern Maine Agency on Aging
  • Doug Wilson, MS/MIS, Agewell Specialist, Southern Maine Agency on Aging

 Who should attend? Anyone currently engaged in lifelong communities work or interested in becoming involved in such efforts. This include “AARP’s Network of Age Friendly Communities” or following a similar model, “Villages”, “Communities for All Ages,” “Livable Communities,” and those communities that consider themselves to be focused on “aging in community.” This webinar is particularly designed for those who have begun their community work and are looking to plan ahead for the future.  More information and registration here.


Poverty 101: bias, barriers and brain science
March 10, 2020

The CCC is excited to present a no-cost, thought-provoking, interactive training geared for CCC partners on March 10th from 9 am to 3:30 pm in the training room at Kay Parker, Machias.  This training equates to Family Futures Downeast Poverty 101: the Impacts of Poverty on Students and Familieand will include a poverty simulator exercise, the effects of cortisol and toxic stress on brain development, exploring bias, and a conversation on scarcity and bandwidth.  CCC staff will be presenting this training with special guest, Nicole Witherbee, Chief Program Officer with the John T. Gorman Foundation, who will discuss benefits cliffs and provide data on poverty and how foundations seek to effect change.  The day will wrap up with a panel of parents sharing their experiences with barriers and supports that make a difference in pursuing post-secondary education.  Lunch will be provided.  Please arrive early to check in and get situated (morning refreshments will be provided).  CEUs will be available for $5 from UMM; all participants will receive a certificate for 6 contact hours.


The State of the Long-Term Supports in Northern New England
March 10, 2020

On Tuesday, March 10 from 12:00-1:00, thought leaders from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine will discuss the state of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) in northern New England in a fire side chat webinar, sponsored by the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging.  Details and registration here.


Aging in Maine: Best Practices and Nursing Leadership
March 11, 2020

Registration is now open for the 19th Annual Maine Nursing Summit: Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
at the Augusta Civic Center.  The event, put on by OMNE Nursing Leaders of Maine, is a one day educational program that brings together nurse leaders, front line nurses and educators to promote, and evolve the professional practice of nursing in Maine with a focus this year around Nursing Leadership.  Details and registration here.


G.E.A.R. It Takes a Village! Collaborative Conference

March 14, 2020

The G.E.A.R. Parent Network and Maine Parent Federation are partnering to bring you a FREE daylong conference for Parents and Youth on Saturday, March 14th, 2020, 9 am — 4 pm at the Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street, Augusta.
This year’s conference topic is  Peer Support – It Takes a Village! Come and learn about parent and youth peer supports and how you can benefit from receiving these free services available in our state! Also learn how parents and youth can become peer mentors themselves.  Download this flyer for details and registration.


Play Therapy Roundtable Retreat
March 27-28, 2020

By the Sea Seminars (APT Provider 04-144) invites you to a play therapy roundtable retreat on March 27-28th 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
April 1, 2020

The CCC invites you to a brown bag lunch on April 1st from 11:30 — 12:50 at SCEC with staff from Healthy Acadia.  Katie Sell and Georgie Kendall will present a non-clinical outreach training on tobacco prevention, including an overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping).  RSVP to Christine.  Download a flyer for details.

Addiction Speaks

April 11, 2020

The CCC, Healthy Acadia and UMM invite you to Addiction Speaks, a dramatic performance based on stories of people impacted by substance use and incarceration, at 6 pm on Saturday, April 11th, in UMM’s Performing Arts Center.  Admission is free and donations welcome.  This presentation will speak to the stigma surrounding both topics for people in recovery.  A panel discussion will follow the performance with folks who have had first-hand experience dealing with these stigmatizing situations.  Addiction Speaks is written and directed by Suzanne M. Ramczyk and performed by the Addiction Speaks Company.  Download a poster to share.


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

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.  If you’re interested in attending any or all of these dialogues, please visit their facebook page for more info and to RSVP (lunch is provided).


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):

For more information contact: Terri Woodruff – terri@healthyacadia.org or Denise Black – denise@healthyacadia.org.


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.

New Registration Link & Dates for Cooking Matters for Parents

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Washington County CAN Prevention Council will offer a free six-session nutrition education program to parents and guardians beginning Jan 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the DownEast Recovery Support Center, 11 Free Street, Machias. Classes meet on Mondays through March 2nd with the exception of Jan. 20 and Feb. 17. Cooking Matters for Parents will focus on learning healthy, budget-friendly cooking tips and preparing healthy recipes as a group. Participants will receive ingredients to take home at the end of each class and a cookbook upon completion of the course. Register onlineFor more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rita Stephenson,  207-255-3345 or rita.stephenson@maine.edu

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 

Washington County Food Pantry Network Meeting

Healthy Acadia and the Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance look forward to seeing you at the quarterly meeting of the Washington County Food Pantry Network in March on Thursday, the 12th, from 1–4 pm at Center Street Congregational Church, 9 Center St, Machias.  We will have two guests speaking on Dementia and Diabetes during the first half of the meeting.  To Join by Zoom/phone: https://zoom.us/j/815566365
Meeting ID: 815 566 365
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 815 566 365


Alzheimer’s Association: Maine Chapter Events

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of regular and special events in communities across Maine, including social events for people with Alzheimer’s and their families and care partners. For a list of events near you, follow this link to their Facebook Events Page.


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.


Schedule of Downeast Public Health Council Meetings for 2020

  • March 20, 2020 – location tba
  • September 18, 2020 – location tba
  • November 20, 2020 – location tba
Meetings are held from 9 — 11:30 am.  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

Join this 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 in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm.  See Agenda for today’s meeting on March 4th.  Read notes from  the February 5th meeting.  In the event of snow or ice, we may be offering a Zoom option.  See our weather cancellation policy at the end of this newsletter and check our facebook page for the latest on meetings & weather.  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.

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.


2020 Census Jobs

Time is running out, earn extra income with a temporary part-time job and help your community at the same time. Apply Now at 2020census.gov/jobs.


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!


Census Workers Needed!

The 2020 Census needs full-time and part-time workers from about April to September. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to have some control over where their tax dollars go and earn some extra money as well.  Income from the census will not be counted toward any type of low-income benefits for the State of Maine, such as Food Stamps, Tanf, MaineCare, LIHEAP and WIC. If you are looking for some extra $, this is a short-term opportunity to make some extra cash whether you are on disability, are low income, fixed social security, etc. The Enumerator wage is $20/hr with mileage reimbursement of .58/mile. Hours are flexible and training is paid. Full- time or part-time hours are completely up to the individual.  If you know of any individuals that would benefit from this opportunity, please send them to 2020census.gov/jobs. Help is available to apply through the FedCap offices in Calais and Machias over the next two months to help folks apply and hiring ends on March 3.


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. 

Meet our new website, maineequaljustice.org

The new website is organized around those priorities:

People includes updated legal resources for Maine people who need help meeting basic needs, information about our trainings, and our Equal Justice Partners’ Circle.

Policy includes information about the state of play in policy areas we do the most work in. We are a source of policy knowledge and resources for all Mainers, so that everyone who needs help can get it and so we can all improve the safety net and ensure there are enough opportunities to get ahead.

Solutions is a home for ideas about how to make Maine a place where everyone has enough food in the fridge, a place to call home, and access to affordable health care. Poverty is not an intractable problem–learn more about how we can prioritize solutions!

Take Action! includes information about ways to get involved at Maine Equal Justice, resources for advocates, and a bill tracker with our legislative priorities.

There’s also a new blog, Essential Justice, where you can find perspectives on our issues from advocates who work and volunteer at Maine Equal Justice. Our first post is about lived experiences with poverty.

We are gathering feedback from members of the community who use our page the most. Is it accessible? Helpful? Missing something you need? Please tell us what you think by replying to this email!

Thank you for supporting Maine Equal Justice’s work! If you know someone who would like to receive our email updates, please share this email and our new take action link.

Alison Weiss
Maine Equal Justice

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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.

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!

The mission of the CCC is to nurture and sustain collaboration that expands resources and results in greater hope, health and well-being for Washington County people.

Contact: Christine Laurel, Communication & Training Coordinator
Community Caring Collaborative

PO Box 224, East Machias, ME 04630
Phone: 207-249-3318
Fax: 207-835-4500

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Bad Little Falls — so very bad this time of year!