CCC Wednesday Communique — January 29, 2025

Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year, kicking off the 16-day Spring Festival.  We are now moving from the year of the Dragon into the year of the Snake.  The Snake, symbolizing wisdom and transformation, offers opportunities for personal growth and change.  Learn more about the Chinese zodiac and the year of the Snake here.

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

Masterful Communication for Cognitive Support
The Caregiver Action Network invites you to our free webinar on February 3, 2025, 10:30 am, to learn practical strategies for improving communication and connection with your loved one.  What You’ll Learn:
  • Simple communication approaches to create joy and connection.
  • How to distinguish memory loss from cognitive decline—and why it matters.
  • Proven techniques to reduce frustration and prevent challenging behaviors.

Behavioral Health Listening Sessions

We have heard from providers and others who are seeing the challenges faced by people with behavioral health needs. Maine Council on Aging, with support from the Maine Health Access Foundation, is hosting four listening sessions to surface ideas and data around the issue of older people and behavioral and mental health. Your participation would be welcomed. Please share your insights and what you are observing through your work as it relates to older Mainers. We are planning four separate Zoom listening sessions one for each of these categories:
  • Behavioral Health Providers, February 7 | 1:00-2:30 pm, Virtual via Zoom, Register
  • Aging Services Providers, February 14 | 1:00-2:30 pm, Virtual via Zoom, Register
  • Lifelong Community Programs (lifelong or age-friendly communities, transportation), February 28 | 1:00-2:30 pm, Virtual via Zoom, Register
  • First Responders, March 7 | 1:00-2:30 pm, Virtual via Zoom, Register

We want to identify what is working to support older people with mental health needs in Maine and elsewhere.


February Biz Fit

Friday Feb 7th 8-9 am: It’s Getting Hot In Here – Climate Change + Your Business.  We can’t ignore the hot, the cold, the storms; how do you adjust within your business? How do you mitigate environmental impact caused by your business? How is your business impacted by the environment and climate? What are small steps you (can) take to grow your business in a healthy way? Bring your coffee or tea and join us to listen to, share with, and learn from one another in curious conversation. Biz Fit is an informal and supportive gathering where we exchange ideas and share insights.  Register today.


PFMLA and Life Beyond It

Rudman Winchell invites employers to our next scheduled FREE Employment Power Hour on PFMLA and Life Beyond It, Thursday, February 27th, at 2 pm.  Although PFMLA has dominated our discussions lately and we will discuss updates to the law, there are also other items to update and discuss. In light of the significant number of recent federal executive orders and other developments, our power hour will include a discussion of executive orders impacting employers, updates on DEI, and developments in immigration enforcement.  We will also discuss recent EEOC publications and regulations, an AI update, new proposed State legislation, and other issues of interest.  We hope this free, 1-hour seminar will leave you with practical knowledge to help navigate the ever-evolving landscape of employment law.  Attend in person or remotely.  RSVP here.


Eastern Maine ROOTS

Saturday, March 22nd, 8:30 am — 4 pm, UMM Reynold’s Center: The 2025 Eastern Maine ROOTS Conference brings together industry leaders in agriculture, food, forestry management, fisheries, and aquaculture. This year’s conference centers on value-based approaches to connecting with the land and natural resources, highlighting sustainable and community-driven strategies. Presenters and service providers from UMaine, local agencies, and non-profit organizations will share information with Eastern Maine farmers, fisherfolk, growers, woodland owners and interested community members. Learn more and register! Spaces available for Exhibitors and Conference Sponsors. Contact: Rachel White, rachel@maine.edu.


Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine Conference

April 11th & 12, DoubleTree by Hilton, S. Portland: Registration is open for the 28th annual Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine Conference, “The Power of Meaningful Connections.”  Keynote Speakers are Nicholas Tucker, youth camp owner & inspirational speaker, and Dr. Amelia Franck Meyer, Founder and CEO of the national nonprofit, Alia.  Learn more and register here.


Free Tax Prep & Filing Options
  • CA$H Maine, a statewide collaboration involving 50 coalition partners that offers free tax preparation for those who qualify under a certain income limit and other factors. CA$H Maine offers in person and remote tax assistance as well as drop and go appointments where all you need to do is bring your documents to a tax site location and an IRS-certified tax preparer will prepare your taxes at a different time. To find a CA$H Maine option near you, use their search tool which can be found here.
  • AARP also provides free tax preparation services. Available both in person and virtually, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites can be located through their Tax-Aide Site Locator. While this organization focuses on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income, they will provide tax assistance to anyone. You do not need to be an AARP member to use this service.
  • Additionally, both the Internal Revenue Service and Maine Revenue Services offer online e-filing options. In addition to its Free File program for those with lower incomes, the IRS added Maine to a list of 24 other states that will participate in its new Direct File program. Visit the IRS’s tax information page about both programs as well as Maine’s new Tax Portal for more information.

Free IRS Tax Filing

Starting January 27th, eligible Mainers can use IRS DIRECT FILE, a groundbreaking new service that allows taxpayers to file taxes online QUICKLY, EASILY, and FOR FREE. Visit directfile.irs.gov on your computer, tablet, or phone to check your eligibility. If you’re eligible, create an ID.me login account (check-out this step-by-step guide in case you need help) and use the simple interview-style tool to complete your federal taxes. Once you complete federal taxes, you’ll be taken to Maine’s free state filing system, where you can file to get a number of fully “refundable” state tax credits worth hundreds of dollars, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Property Tax Fairness Credit (PTFC), Sales Tax Fairness Credit (STFC), and as of this year (thanks to legislation we worked together to pass!), the Child and Dependent Tax Credit. This is true even if you don’t owe taxes or have little to no “earned” income.


Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarships

The Maine Legislature annually grants a scholarship to one student from each county who is currently pursuing or planning to pursue an education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school. Administered through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), awards are given to Maine resident high school seniors or full- or part-time postsecondary students accepted to or enrolled in accredited Maine colleges for graduate or undergraduate degrees.  The 2025-2026 application will become available on Feb. 1, 2025; and applications will be accepted until the May 1, 2025 deadline. Scholarship awards of $1,000 will be given to one student in each of Maine’s counties (16 total). Learn more here.


The Washington County Food Pantry Network
The Washington County Food Pantry Network is a group of food security advocates across Washington County. The group was founded by Healthy Acadia, and is currently facilitated by Lucy Zwigard, the Washington County Food Programs Coordinator. Members include food pantry staff and volunteers, health care and wellness providers, non-profit employees, politicians, and more. If you serve the community and/or have a strong interest in food security, please subscribe to the Washington County Food Pantry Network newsletter to learn about our quarterly meetings and opportunities to stay informed and get involved! Subscribe here.  (See updates to this group in the Standing Meetings section of this Newsletter.)

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