Happy New Year!
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!
Don’t miss the January 9th meeting launching Good Shepherd’s new initiative “Community-Driven Strategies to End Hunger in Washington County.” Read about it in the One-Time Events section of this newsletter.
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New this Week
Onboarding New Hires to Maximize Their Success and Yours
WCCC’s next webinar in the tHuRsday series will be held on January 9th (that’s tomorrow!) from 1-2 pm, featuring Terri Swanson, Human Resources Consultant of Swanson Consulting & Associates, LLC. Terri will discuss why making the time to onboard a new employee is critical to their success and offer you guidance, direction, insights and ideas to help you onboard well. See flyer for details. Register for this webinar here.
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. 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 online For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rita Stephenson, 207.255.3345; rita.stephenson@maine.edu.
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.
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.
Veterans Book Group in Machias
The Maine Humanities Council has partnered with Washington County Adult Education to bring a Veterans Book Group to Machias. The group will meet on Thursdays from January 16th to February 20th, 2-3:30 pm at Saint Aidan’s Church (Beside University of Maine at Machias). The group will be facilitated by Wayne Peters & Jim Jackson. All Veterans Welcome!
• Connect with other Veterans/Service Members
• Reflect on important issues of interest to Maine’s Veterans
• The program is free with readings provided
• Reading isn’t required you are more than welcome to just come and listen to the conversation.
For More information call 255-4917.
Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator
Healthy Acadia is looking for an experienced Nutrition Educator to promote nutrition-based education to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible people throughout Washington County. Read about this position in the Needs & Offers section of this newsletter.
CCC Winter 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.
CCC Work Group Zoom Option
Owing to today’s snowy weather, we are offering a Zoom option to attend today’s meeting (meeting ID: 178 672 751) from 1 – 3 pm on January 8th, unless AOS 96 has an early dismissal, in which case we will cancel this meeting.
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.
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Updates
Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation
Hope & Dream Funds
The CCC Dream Fund is open! This legacy of Marjorie Withers provides financial assistance to youth 5-18 years old to pursue their interest in something that gives them joy and may be beyond the financial capacity of their family. CCC partner providers fill out the dream fund application with the family. Instructions and application form are available on the Dream Fund page of the CCC website.
The CCC Hope Fund will be opening for the 2nd trimester on February 1st. Providers can download an application on the Hope Fund page of the CCC website beginning on February 1st.
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One-Time Events
Fairs, trainings, conferences and more in the state of Maine
Community-Driven Strategies to End Hunger in Washington County
January 9, 2010
Good Shepherd Food Bank is beginning a new initiative called Community-Driven Strategies to End Hunger in Washington County. The goal of this initiative is to become more engaged with community partners, including non-hunger-focused social services that interact with the same families our traditional network does, and learn how we can all work together to alleviate hunger at the community level. While Good Shepherd Food Bank will be providing administrative support, as well as up to $30,000 for the group to invest in testing the strategies they identify, the goal is for the initiative to be led by the true experts – the people that live, work, and lead in Washington County! The initiative’s kick-off meeting is Thursday, January 9, 2020, from 11 am – 2 pm at the Machias Veteran’s Home Conference Room (32 Veteran’s Way, Machias, ME 04654). Note: This will replace our regularly scheduled Washington County Food Pantry Network meeting. Please let us know if you’ll be attending by RSVPing here by Friday, January 3rd. If you have any further questions about the Community-Driven Strategies to End Hunger initiative, please feel free to reach out to Regina Grabrovac 207-255-3741.
Onboarding New Hires to Maximize Their Success and Yours
January 9, 2020
WCCC’s next webinar in the tHuRsday series will be held on January 9th from 1-2 pm, featuring Terri Swanson, Human Resources Consultant of Swanson Consulting & Associates, LLC. Terri will discuss why making the time to onboard a new employee is critical to their success and offer you guidance, direction, insights and ideas to help you onboard well. See flyer for details. Register for this webinar here.
Idea and Experience Exchange:
Digging Deeper into Difficult Conversations
January 14, 2020
Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on Tuesday, January 14th from 12-1 pm for a webinar digging more deeply into the topic of navigating the difficult conversations that age-friendly organizations and lifelong communities may be asked to help facilitate. Rudy Fedrizzi will share how he has used deliberative dialogue to lead conversations about isolation. Learn more here. Please come prepared to share your expertise and experiences leading community conversations and leave with tools to lead deliberative dialogue in your own community. Host: Rudy Fedrizzi, Public Health Services District Director, Vermont Department of Health. Register here.
Heroin(e) Documentary Screening Rescheduled
January 15, 2020
Postponed from December 3rd due to weather, join Healthy Acadia, CCC and the Downeast Recovery Support Center in Calais (311 Main Street) at 5:30 pm on January 15th for a free screening and panel discussion about the award winning documentary, Heroin(e), and our community’s response to the opioid epidemic. Participants are invited to stay for a free Narcan training following the discussion. Refreshments will be served. This documentary is presented by Points North Institute, the State of Maine and Marshall Communications.
Starting Over: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
January 21, 2020
Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 12:00-1:30 for a webinar discussion of grandparents raising grandchildren. In the United States, more than three million children are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives. When grandparents assume this responsibility, they often take on added financial and legal responsibilities with little outside assistance. About 25% of those kinship families are in rural areas where it can be even more challenging to find needed resources and supports than it is in large cities. During this webinar, we will hear how age-friendly organizations in northern New England are supporting grand-families and helping to meet the economic, social, and health needs of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Presenter: Jennifer Crittenden, Assistant Director, UMaine Center on Aging. Register here.
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Serial Classes & Groups
Classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events
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):
Veterans Book Group in Machias
The Maine Humanities Council has partnered with Washington County Adult Education to bring a Veterans Book Group to Machias. The group will meet on Thursdays from January 16th to February 20th, 2-3:30 pm at Saint Aidan’s Church (Beside University of Maine at Machias). The group will be facilitated by Wayne Peters & Jim Jackson. All Veterans Welcome!
• Connect with other Veterans/Service Members
• Reflect on important issues of interest to Maine’s Veterans
• The program is free with readings provided
• Reading isn’t required you are more than welcome to just come and listen to the conversation.
For More information call 255-4917.
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 online For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rita Stephenson, 207.255.3345; 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.
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. See flyer for details, or visit this link.
CAN Council Groups
- Weekly infant toddler playgroup in Machias: Fridays from 10-11 at the Kay Parker Building. See flyer for details.
- Weekly Social Hour for children 6-11 who are engaged with section 26/65 to come with their BHP’s for a craft/activity/game on Fridays from 3-4. BHP’s and their kiddos are welcome any Friday, but we do ask that they send an RSVP (263-5270) with the kiddo’s age at least 2 hours prior. This way we can make accommodations or modifications to our activities if needed. This will be held at WCCP (232 Court St, Machias). See flyer for details.
- Grandparents raising grandchildren – First Thursday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Woodland Public Library
- Parents in Recovery (Calais) – Second Thursday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Downeast Recovery and Support Center, Calais
- Parents in Recovery (Machias) – Second Monday of the month from 3:30 — 4:40 at Downeast Recovery and Support Center, Machias
- Machias Circle of Parents – last Monday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Sunrise Opportunities (232 Court St, Machias)
- 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. Location: Harrington Family Health Center, 52 East Main Street, Harrington, every Thursday from 12:30 — 2 pm. Text/call Mandie at 263-5270 to sign up.
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.
Recovery Dharma
The Downeast Recovery Supports Center is now hosting weekly meetings of Recovery Dharma, a Buddhist-inspired approach to recovery from addiction. Meetings are on Tuesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. No prior experience with Buddhism is required. Meetings are free and all who seek recovery are warmly welcomed. Learn more about Refuge Recovery at: www.refugerecovery.org.
Hepatitis C Support Group
Health Equity Alliance has begun a Hepatitis C support group at the Downeast Machias Recovery Center. They also offer a syringe exchange and FREE HIV and HEPC testing. Hours are Tuesday: 3-6 pm and Friday: 10 am to 1 pm, closed to Walk-In Services on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. FMI: Arielle Metcalf at arielle@mainehealthequity.org, 207-255-5849.
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
Schedule of Downeast Public Health Council Meetings for 2020
- January 17, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- September 18, 2020
- November 20, 2020
Meetings are held from 9 — 11:30 am, at a site to be determined. 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 Recovery Support Center Calendars
Want to be able to plan ahead for the month with meetings and/or events happening at our Centers? Visit the Downeast Recovery Support Center facebook page where calendar of events for both centers are pinned to the top or download the Machias and Calais calendars in MS Word. If there’s something else you’d like to see offered, let us know!
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 usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm. This month we are meeting on Jan 8th because the first Wednesday in January was New Year’s Day. Download an agenda here. Due to a forecast of snow, we are offering a Zoom option to attend today’s meeting (meeting ID: 178 672 751), unless AOS 96 has an early dismissal, in which case we will cancel this meeting. 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.
Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator
Healthy Acadia is looking for an experienced Nutrition Educator to promote nutrition-based education to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible people throughout Washington County. See full job description here. Please send a cover letter, resume and three professional references, in a single document, to jobs@healthyacadia.org. Accepting applications until January 17th, or until a suitable candidate is found. Please call Katie Freedman at 207-667-7171 with any questions.
CCC Diaper Drive
CCC is running a diaper drive to benefit We Care Baby Center: from now until Valentine’s Day, make a donation of diapers (sizes 4 & 5 especially needed), wipes, or new hats & mittens in the CCC office and enter your name & phone number for a drawing to win a basket of cozy, household goodies.
Hope & Dream Funds
The CCC Dream Fund is open! This legacy of Marjorie Withers provides financial assistance to youth 5-18 years old to pursue their interest in something that gives them joy and may be beyond the financial capacity of their family. CCC partner providers fill out the dream fund application with the family. Instructions and application form are available on the Dream Fund page of the CCC website.
The CCC Hope Fund will be opening for the 2nd trimester on February 1st. Providers can download an application on the Hope Fund page of the CCC website beginning on February 1st.
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 at https://www.emdc.org/page/954/workforce.
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.
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