Happy Wednesday!
This is the Community Caring Collaborative Weekly Communiqué 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 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. This mailing goes out every Wednesday, so if you have announcements, please send them to Christine by 5 pm Monday to be included. Thanks!
Photo above: Winter Solstice celebrated in Maine – photo courtesy of Eric Michael Tollefson from the Bangor Daily News.
Announcements
Letter from Charley: Please download this special message from Charley Martin-Berry to all of you, our partners and friends of the Community Caring Collaborative.
G.E.A.R. Winter Workshops: check out these new workshops offered free to parents/ grandparents/ caregivers/ educators of children with emotional/behavioral health concerns. If you are unable to attend in person many workshops are available with Go ToMeeting™ (marked with an asterisk (*). Download this flyer for more information.
- “ADHD 101 – What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask!” Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Webinar Only*
- “Positive Behavioral Supports & Tantrum Management: Self-Preservation & Success in Parenting Children with Behavioral Health Needs” Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Crisis and Counseling Center, 120 Tillson Ave. Rockland *
- “Impulsivity & Disruptive Behaviors in Children & Youth” Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Blue Hill Library, 5 Parker Point Rd. Blue Hill *
- “Building a Bridge: Navigating Youth to Adult Transition” Friday, March 1, 2019 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.at MAS, 60 Main St, Machias *
- “Parenting with Dignity: Picking Up this Ball is a Victory for All!” nine hour parenting education course developed by Mac Bledsoe, at Belfast Head Start, 275 High St, Belfast beginning March 4th. See flyer for times and dates.
Call for Information: The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging’s January webinar will focus on the use of technology to support aging in place. We want to learn from you! Are you using technology with your age-friendly group or in your agency to support aging in place? Let us know by emailing patriciafkimball@gmail.com.
No Communique next week: There will be no newsletter next Wednesday, December 26th. Look for us in your inbox the first week of January 2019 – Happy New Year!
Your announcement could go here: email the details to Christine by 5 pm Monday for inclusion in Wednesday’s Weekly Communiqué. Photos and links are appreciated (jpg, not gif or png).
Updates
This is where we post updates on programs, initiatives and pending legislation.
Hope Fund Tool: The Hope Fund Committee has created a check list to help with requests that involve auto repairs. Download the check list here. You can also find it on the Hope Fund Page of the CCC’s website.
One-Time Events
Invitation to Day of Service:
January 5, 2018
Maine’s incoming governor, Janet Mills, has focused unprecedented attention on the role of community service and volunteerism, and has consequently chosen to include a Day of Service in the inauguration celebration next month. Would your organization be interested in participating in the Day of Service? Organizations across the state will be taking advantage of the influx of volunteers to promote their mission and get projects done. Projects can range from manual labor to educational opportunities, and they can be filled with as many or as few volunteers as your organization has capacity for. More details are below.
WHAT TO DO, ASAP:
– Identify a project or significant task that could be accomplished in 4-8 hours with the help of volunteers.
– Register that project here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/jan5maine
QUESTIONS? Contact Adrienne Carmack, Maine Commission for Community Service, 207-624-7785, January5ServiceDay@volunteermaine.org
Engaging Municipal Leaders in our age friendly work:
January 8, 2019
Join this “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry” webinar presented by the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging from 12 – 1 pm, focused on engaging municipalities. Register here.
ADHD 101 – What We Want to Know but Forgot to Ask!:
January 10, 2019
G.E.A.R. parent network workshop from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Webinar Only* – see flyer for details.
Positive Behavioral Supports & Tantrum Management:
January 24, 2019
“Self-Preservation & Success in Parenting Children with Behavioral Health Needs” – G.E.A.R. parent workshop from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Crisis and Counseling Center, 120 Tillson Ave. Rockland (Go ToMeeting™ available) – see flyer for details.
Impulsivity & Disruptive Behaviors in Children & Youth:
February 23, 2019
G.E.A.R. parent network workshop from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Blue Hill Library, 5 Parker Point Rd. Blue Hill (Go ToMeeting™ available) – see flyer for details.
Building a Bridge: Navigating Youth to Adult Transition:
March 1, 2019
G.E.A.R. parent network workshop from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.at MAS, 60 Main St, Machias (Go ToMeeting™ available) – see flyer for details.
Maine Geriatrics Conference:
June 13-14, 2019
Save these dates for the 29th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference “where policy meets practice,” at the Harborside Hotel, Bar Harbor. Speaker lineup includes:
- Wendy Lustbader, MSW, University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, WA.
- Toni Miles, MD, PhD, University of Georgia, Athens
- Lewis A. Lipsitz, MD, Institute for Aging Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Boston, MA
- Mikhail Kogan, MD, George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine, Washington, DC
For more information visit: https://www.une.edu/com/cme/events/geriatrics-conference.
Serial Classes & Groups
classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events
G.E.A.R. “Parenting with Dignity: Picking Up this Ball is a Victory for All!” nine hour parenting education course developed by Mac Bledsoe, at Belfast Head Start, 275 High St, Belfast beginning March 4th. See flyer for times and dates.
WC CAN Council Classes:
Circle of Parents: for parents with children who have special needs
- Pembroke Elementary School, first Monday of the month starting 11/5, 3 — 4:30 pm
Co-Parenting Classes:
- Sunrise Opportunities (232 Court Street), Wednesdays 3 — 4:30 pm 11/7 through 1/2
Contact Mandie Pepperman with questions about any of these classes at 263-5270.
Nurturing Program: The CAN Council invites parents to a multi-session educational program sharing tips and tricks to help navigate the difficult challenges of parenting. Lots of opportunity for discussion and questions – free refreshments and childcare. Text/call Mandie at 263-5270 to sign up. See flyer for locations and dates.
Calais Circle of Parents Playgroup:
The WC CAN Council with partner Maine Families is holding a playgroup on Tuesdays 11 am – 12 pm beginning in September at the Calais Recreation Center, 344 Main Street. “Get a chance to meet other parents while your kiddo gets some energy out.” Contact Mandie Pepperman with questions at is 263-5270.
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 (see flyers below):
- Calais area – 6-8 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at WCCC, room 301
- Machias/Harrington/Milbridge area – 6-8 pm on the 3rd Monday each month at a Machias location tbd
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.
Standing Meetings
Monthly and quarterly meetings
Washington County Food Pantry Network: Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance invites you to mark your calendar for the next meeting of this county-wide organization. The network offers technical and infrastructure support and education to all of the county’s pantries as well as to provide an opportunity for pantries to share successes and struggles. Dessert, beverages and gas cards will be provided to all food pantry participants. Meeting dates (Thursdays) and locations for 2019 are as follows:
- March 7, 1-3 pm ( March 21 for a snow date)at Eastport’s Labor of Love Food Pantry, 137 County Road, (route 190), Eastport
- June 6, 1-3 pm; Location to be determined.
- Oct 3, 1-3 pm; Location to be determined.
Questions? Contact Regina Grabrovac at our Machias Healthy Acadia office by phone at 255 3741 or by email at regina@healthyacadia.org
Calais Area Breast Cancer Support Group: meets 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. Notes from the December meeting coming soon. The next meeting is January 2nd in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, from 1 — 3:00 pm with another 30 minutes for informal networking and discussion. RSVP to Christine to join.
Needs & Offers
Send us your agency/community needs or offers, such as job recruiting or housing needs.
Facebook Needs & Offers Group: Got a client looking for a couch? See a couch at a garage sale? Join Poverty Busters’ Resource Connection – a facebook group that connects needs with offers 24/7. Here’s a link to request access to this group. Before posting, please make sure to review the ground rules – thanks!
CEI is hiring! We are seeking a Business Advisor / Program Director to work with the Women’s Business Center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) to service the Washington County region. The Business Advisor / Program Director works with women business owners by facilitating start-up, survival and business expansion; providing business planning, management development, and assistance with preparing for and obtaining financing. The Business Advisor / Program Director may participate on panel discussions and in presentations as appropriate, as well as organizing and presenting workshops on a variety of business related topics, managing communications and reporting for the regional WBC advising activities, and conducting market research and developing local partnerships. Due to the client-facing nature of this role, telecommuting is not an option. In-state travel to meet with clients and to attend once a month staff meeting in our Brunswick central office is required. Competitive compensation and benefits package. To apply, please submit a cover letter and current resume (both are required for full consideration for this position) to: employment@ceimaine.org
SNAP for Seniors: Jack Comart with Maine Equal Justice Partners has put together an informational sheet about Food Supplement (SNAP) benefits for people who are 60 or older or disabled (download here), forwarded by Hilary Fernald of LSE to help promote SNAP enrollment among these vulnerable populations in Washington and Hancock Counties. This can also be found on MEJP’s website.
Reusable, plastic interior storm windows: Maine Seacoast Mission has purchased these easy to install, no blow dryer or plastic sheeting needed, storm window inserts and are offering them free of charge. They can be adapted to any size window and are clear, high-quality plastic. Contact Scott Shaw at 546-5869 for more information or email Charley or Christine at the CCC if you’d like to pick up a kit. The CCC is storing two sizes, typical window size and extra-large (sliding door size) in our office at 7 Ames Way, Machias.
Supporting CCC Barrier Removal Programs: It’s not too late to make a donation to the CCC’s Hope Fund, Dream Fund or Flex Funds which support programs like Family Futures Downeast. Click here for more information about helping Washington County families move forward.
Information on Resources Needed: Amy Day, Manager of AMHC’s Downeast Recovery Support Center in Machias, is looking for brochures/literature about community resources. She is currently at the center from 10 am to 6 pm, M-F. Organizations and community can stop in anytime during those hours to check out the center, talk about services, and provide information. The center is located on Free Street at the former location of Wings. Amy’s contact info is 271-0115 and aday@amhc.org.
CCC Partner Survey: As the CCC finishes the final year of our 3-year strategic plan, we’re evaluating how well we accomplished our goals and commitments to you and to community members in Washington County. Our intern, MSW student Nicole Cannizzaro, has compiled data for participation in CCC activities by collaborative partners over the past year. Highlights of this look back reveal that:
- A total of 61 organizations interacted with the CCC;
- Partners showed up 139 times to monthly convenings of Work Group/Poverty Busters and CCC;
- 27 partner organizations participated in program efforts like Thriving in Place, Family Futures Downeast, and Mentor/Neighbor design;
- 24 partner organizations participated in the June 12th Family Discovery Day in Calais; and
- 130 applications from partner organizations were submitted to the Hope and Dream Funds.
- 392 people attended CCC Trainings.
But numbers alone can’t paint a full picture of the CCC’s impact, so we’re asking you to complete a simple survey on the effectiveness of the CCC in its 4 major areas of commitment. We are excited to read your responses and thankful for your time, your honesty, and your partnership! Here is a link to the survey. Thank you!
Favorite Resources
Send us your favorite links to share with other Communique readers.
Happy Holidays from all of us at the CCC!