Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
CCC director, Charley Martin-Berry, will host a virtual training, The Impacts of Poverty and the Power of Two-Gen Approaches, on Tuesday, March 18th from 1 -3:30 pm. Mark your calendars and watch for more details, including guest presenter, in next week’s newsletter.
Project ECHO presents Substance Use Disorder ECHO®: The Principles of Harm Reduction in a bi-weekly series, 12 — 1 pm on Zoom, February 26th, March 12th, March 26th and April 9th. See flyer for details and registration.
Caring for a loved one with incontinence comes with unique challenges—but you’re not alone. Join the Caregive Action Network’s free webinar to learn practical strategies for managing incontinence with dignity and ease. This session will equip you with practical strategies to:
✔ Understand different types of incontinence and management techniques.
✔ Help loved ones maintain independence and dignity.
✔ Make daily life easier with simple care adjustments.
February 27th at 2 pm. Register now.
Sunrise County Economic Council invites you to a free webinar presented by Charles Rudelitch, Esq., SCEC’s Executive Director: Our Tax Dollars and then Some: Federal Spending in Washington County. This webinar will explore federal spending trends in Washington County, Maine over the past few years and dig into the details of the programs and tax credits that have the greatest impact on our economy. The goal is to provide context for local decision makers in a period of rapid change. Friday, February 28th, 1 –2:30 pm. For more information call 207-255-0983. Register here.
Maine SNAP Ed Nutrition Educator, Shannon Cherry, is presenting a 10 Tips Nutrition series at Porter Memorial Library in Machias. This is a series of two free classes from 12 Noon — 2 pm on Friday, March 21st and Friday, March 28th. Download a flyer for more information.
Machias-Area Community Suppers
Everyone is welcome at the Machias Area Community Supper, a free, open gathering around food and community, twice monthly on the second and fourth Thursdays at the Centre Street Church Community Room, 9 Center Street, Machias. The buffet-style menu varies according to surplus food donated by farms, food processors, retailers, pantries, schools, restaurants, and other organizations. Join in this month – February 13 and 27! Doors open at 4:30 pm; supper is 5 to 6 pm. To make a food donation or volunteer, contact Julie Takacs at rustik@mac.com or 518-813-3763.
5 Protective Factors Training
The Prevention Council offers this free training to all providers and to the community. This program is approved by DHHS and qualifies for CEUs. For more information or to schedule, call/text Monica at 207-263-5270 or email molivares@sun-rise.org.
Eastern Area Agency on Aging brings caregivers together to share their experiences in a confidential and supportive setting in person at Calais United Methodist Church, every 4th Wednesday of the month, 2 — 3:30 pm, and on Zoom every third Thursday, 2 — 3:30 pm. Call 1-800-432-7812 to sign up. Download a flyer to share.
- Cindy Seekins, CFPS, Director cseekins@kbhmaine.org
- Heather Williams, CFPS, Regional Parent Support Coordinator hwilliams@kbhmaine.org
- Diane Bouffard, CFPS, Team Leader/Training Coordinator dbouffard@kbhmaine.org
- Shannan King, CFPS, Regional Parent Support Coordinator sking@kbhmaine.org
- Rob Boulier, CFPS rboulier@kbhmaine.org
- Sue Gagne, CFPS sgagne@kbhmaine.org
Maine’s Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Child Welfare Action Network have partnered on Maine’s Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan. Rooted in the guiding principle that “We can keep children safe by keeping families strong,” the plan serves as both a theory of change and a call to action. Everyone — from state agencies and community organizations to neighbors, friends, and professionals, can support families in some fashion. By supporting families earlier, we can create the conditions for strong families and limit the need for involvement by the child welfare agency. Learn more about Maine’s Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan (2025-2030).
Maine Seacoast Mission was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation to support initiatives of the Ed Greaves Education (EdGE) program. EdGE offers collaborative and innovative afterschool, summer, in-school, and leadership programming for more than 985 students in kindergarten through college in Washington County’s Downeast coastal region. EdGE Primary programming serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade across seven elementary schools while EdGE Secondary/Post-Secondary works with seventh through twelfth grade and as well as students attending technical schools, two-, and four-year colleges. Read full press release.
Maine Public Health Association is hiring an operations manager to work in person in Augusta or remotely. Lyrica Stelle, MPHA’s current Operations Manager, will be leaving at the end of March to return to Vermont. This position is responsible for overseeing membership recruitment, retention, and logistics; programming and events; and workforce development and training efforts. The incumbent will work closely with other MPHA staff, board members, association members, partners, and other stakeholders. Click here to learn more about the position and how to apply.
The Downeast Food Systems Partnership is a new effort to bring a broad range of food system stakeholders together to: 1) Identify and build consensus on strategic food system priorities for our region; 2) Develop sound project concepts based on those priorities; and 3) Secure investments and capacity to see them implemented. Take the Survey.