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: Don’t miss AARP’s community conversation with panelists on the future of healthcare, October 18th from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Kay Parker Building in Machias. Topics will include Medicare, prescription drugs, long-term care, healthcare reform and more. See flyer for list of panelists.

Announcements

Work and Benefits Navigator Training: DHHS is holding a Work and Benefits Navigator Training for anyone who supports people with disabilities. The cost is $25 (free to DHHS employees). This workshop will be offered at the following locations and dates with more sessions under development:

Portland – November 9. 2018
Bangor – December 7, 2018
Portland – March 28, 2019

Training will be provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators from Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services. More information and registration info here.

Shine A Light: Join Next Step Domestic Violence Project for their SHINE A LIGHT Tree Lighting Ceremony October 25, 2018 – Thursday night, 6:15 pm at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth. After the ceremony, you are invited to the Moore Center for Next Step’s 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting. This event will also include refreshments as well as a panel of past executive directors, survivors, and law enforcement talking about how advocacy has changed over the last 25 years. See flyer for information on how to donate to Shine A light.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program: Healthy Acadia is offering a free 6-week workshop on “Taking Action on Pain” to help people gain new tools to manage chronic pain and maintain an active and fulfilling life. The program will run on Thursdays from November 1 – December 13, 5:15 pm to 7:45 pm at the Down East Community Hospital conference room – light refreshments provided. See flyer for details and registration information.

Hope Fund: The Hope Fund will re-open next week! The application is being revised and will be available to download from the CCC’s website next Wednesday. A link to the new application will also be provided in next week’s Wednesday Communique. Please do NOT use the old application.

OCFS Survey: The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) of Maine DHHS invites you to provide feedback on Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care (SOC) by responding to 3 questions:

What are the strengths of the SOC? What is going well?
What are the current problems and gaps in the SOC?
What possible solutions do you or your organization think may help the SOC overcome current problems and gaps? What are the best ways for the SOC to improve?

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT! If you are an advocacy organization, a provider organization, or any other person or entity that considers yourself/itself to be stakeholder in the children’s behavioral health SOC and to have valuable observations, experiences and suggestions…please answer the 3 questions above and email them to Susan Foosness of PCG (sfoosness@pcgus.com). PLEASE ALSO email your input to us at the Coalition (MEChildMentalHealthCoalition@gmail.com); the Coalition will post all input so that all stakeholders can learn from one another and so that there will be a public record of each stakeholder’s input. If you are a youth, parent, or worker with experience in the children’s System of Care, PCG/OCFS has developed a survey questionnaire for you at www.mainechildsurvey.com. The survey will remain open until midnight on Sunday, October 14^th.

FFD Job Posting: Be sure to check under Needs & Offers for this announcement from Family Futures Downeast.

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.

Medicaid Expansion in Maine: Alison Weiss, Campaign and Communications Coordinator for Maine Equal Justice Partners, writes:
We were back in court last week, taking the next steps in the lawsuit to implement Medicaid expansion. The court case is very important for getting care to waiting Mainers, but what fills us with the spirit to keep going isn’t the legal arguments we make in court. It’s the need to finally deliver health care to 70,000 Mainers. I hope you have had a chance to see Kathy Stewart-Phelps’s op-ed in the Bangor Daily News. What Kathy wrote tells us everything we need to know about what’s at stake in court, and in the upcoming elections.

Kathy says: “Last fall, our state came together to support health care for people like me who were struggling to afford it. During the campaign, I shared my story with my community and my state. For over 30 years, I have earned a modest living as a self-employed hair dresser. But for so many people in work like mine — hair dressers, retail and service workers, low-wage workers — health care is out of reach. I was so proud to speak up with other uninsured Mainers who spent weekend after weekend talking to voters at their doors, at their churches, in their union halls and at state fairs to make sure Medicaid expansion passed at the ballot.”

“Maine made history with the first ballot question to expand Medicaid. We made a clear statement that was heard across the country: We want more health care, not less. We want politicians to stop trying to dismantle access to quality, affordable health care.”

Read Kathy’s full op-ed here.

One-Time Events

Innovative Living Environments for Older Adults:
October 12, 2018
Register now for the 13th Annual University of Maine Geriatrics Colloquium, 7:45 am to 4 pm at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, Orono. Information on topics covered, registration fees and links to register here.

Turkey-A-Thon:
October 12, 2018
Classic Hits 92.7/95.3FM and The Border 102.9FM, in partnership with Healthy Acadia and sponsored by Dunkin Donuts in Calais and Machias, and VL Tammaro of Calais will be hosting the 14th annual Washington County Turkey-A-Thon on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 7 am to 5 pm. Seven sites throughout Washington County will be accepting monetary donations that will be used to purchase gift certificates from local grocery stores for Washington County food pantries.

Learning to Play, Playing to Learn:
October 13, 2018
The registration for Learning to Play, Playing to Learn is open! Here’s the link to register online through Maine AEYC. If you’d prefer to register by mail with a check, download this brochure with registration information. The cost for the day is only $10, and includes light morning refreshments, lunch, an event t-shirt, and a chance at many various door prizes (including a grand prize of a tuition waiver for a 3-credit course at WCCC!). Questions? Contact Theresa Fisk at theresa.fisk@maine.edu or 956-2070. This training is for early childhood professionals and out-of-school time practitioners at WCCC from 9 am to 3 pm. Sponsored by WCCC, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, & MaineAEYC.

Iron Jawed Angels Movie & Discussion:
October 16, 2018
Based on historical events in the later 1910s, young suffragists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns crank up advocacy efforts to get women’s right to vote in the US. At times they clash with the older generation of suffragists, despite their shared goal. Ultimately women and men had to change the mind of enough legislators’ minds to make it happen. This involved a lot of work and national scandal. Spoiler: The 19th Amendment passes and is ratified in 1920. Iron Jawed Angels will be shown at 6 pm in Science 102. Associate Professor of History Kay Kimball will be present to respond to questions and facilitate discussion. There will be voter registration onsite before and after the movie. Sponsored by UMM Student Life, Psychology & Community Studies Program, & League of Women Voters of Maine.

Caregiver Basic Skills Training 2:
October 16, 2018
The 2^nd training in the CCC’s Caregiver Basic Skills series: Responding as a Caregiver, will be held from 9 am to 12:30 pm in the large conference room at Sunrise County Economic Council, 7 Ames Way, Machias. Rosemary Nevala, RN and Pamela Grant, CNA, reprise their roles from the first training as presenters. This free training focuses on communication styles, dietary tips, caregiver stress and other topics family caregivers struggle with. The Caregiver Basic Skills training series is part of the Washington County Thriving in Place Initiative, funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation.

Recovery Coach Academy:
October 16-19, 2018
One of two classes offered by Healthy Acadia this fall in Ellsworth. Become a CARR-certified Recovery Coach volunteer in your community! Register for either session here, For more info, click here or email Denise or Terri.

The Future of Healthcare Conversation:
October 18, 2018
AARP invites you to a free community conversation with panelists on the future of healthcare, 5:30 to 7 pm at the Kay Parker Building in Machias. Topics will include Medicare, prescription drugs, long-term care, healthcare reform and more. See flyer for list of panelists.

Tai Chi for Kidz of all Ages:
October 20-21, 2018
Healthy Acadia is sponsoring a 2-day “Tai Chi for Kidz” instructors/leaders training workshop with master trainer Linda Arksey at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth. See this flyer for details, and check out this video of Linda’s work!

Shine A Light:
October 25, 2018
Join Next Step Domestic Violence Project for their SHINE A LIGHT Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:15 pm at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth. After the ceremony, you are invited to the Moore Center for Next Step’s 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting. This event will also include refreshments as well as a panel of past executive directors, survivors, and law enforcement talking about how advocacy has changed over the last 25 years. See flyer for information on how to donate to Shine A light.

The 25^th Annual Living with Grief, Conference Series:
October 25, 2018
Down East Hospice Volunteers will be presenting the Hospice Foundation of America’s 25th Annual Living with Grief, Conference Series: “Transforming Loss, Finding Potential for Growth” at Calais Regional Hospital’s Conference Room from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. See flyer for details and registration info.

Health Needs Assessment Community Forum:
October 30, 2018
The Downeast Public Health Council is hosting a community forum in Ellsworth to ask you to review and discuss the Hancock County Health Profile and together, identify what health issues you think are important for the health of your community. 8:30 – 11:00 am Moore Community Center, Ellsworth. Registrationy coming soon – download flyer.

Fraud Prevention Seminar:
October 30, 2018
The Washington County Thriving in Place Initiative is offering a free seminar with Q & A on the topic of Fraud Prevention from 12 to 3 pm at the Kay Parker Building in Machias. This will be a panel presentation with Joseph Connors, Financial Coach with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; Hilary Fernald, Downeast Senior Safety Net Attorney with Legal Services for the Elderly; and Jeanine Mallar-Heald, Financial Services Officer with Machias Savings Bank, focusing on ways we and our family members can be susceptible to financial & identity fraud, tips for how to avoid becoming a fraud victim, and how to recover stolen assets if necessary. Register here. Download flyer to share with staff, family and friends.

Supporting LGBTQ Youth Training:
November 1, 2018
This training is a 3-hour workshop for adults to build skills when working with LGTBQ+ Youth. These skills include reducing bullying and stigma, using correct terminology and pronouns as well as general skills of support questioning youth! Contact Hours available. Contact Gabe O’Brien with questions at gabe@healthyacadia.org or call (207) 255-3741.

Clinical LGBTQ Youth Training:
November 2, 2018
This training is a full day opportunity for clinicians to build their skills when working with LGTBQ+ Youth. This training also focuses on navigating how to engage the parents of youth and the ethical challenges associated with this. 7 Contact Hours available. Contact Gabe O’Brien with questions at gabe@healthyacadia.org or call (207) 255-3741.

Arms Wide Open:
November 2, 2018
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network invites you to their 8th Annual Summit on Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, Arms Wide Open, in Portland. This year’s Summit features a full-morning keynote presentation from Julie Causton, PhD, Professor in the Inclusive and Special Education Program in the Department of Teaching and Leadership at Syracuse University, along with breakout groups for parents, educators, and clinicians. The Summit will also feature a screening of excerpts from the soon-to-be-released documentary film from Lives in the Balance, The Kids We Lose. So whether you’re new to the CPS model or an old hand, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Registration and more information here.

Work and Benefits Navigator Training:
November 9, 2018 – Portland
DHHS is holding a Work and Benefits Navigator Training for anyone who supports people with disabilities. The cost is $25 (free to DHHS employees). Training will be provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators from Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services. More information and registration info here.

Understanding Child Birth Order:
November 9, 2018
Free workshop presented by Misty Day, Regional Parent Support Coordinator for G.E.A.R. at MAS Community Health, 60 Main St., Machias from 10 am to 12 pm. Research shows that a person’s birth order has a direct link with his or her personality. Understanding birth order positions allows parents, guardians and teachers to guide and support children and strengthen positive attributes. To register, please contact Misty Day at 1.800.264.9224 or 485.4253; Email: mday@crisisandcounseling.org.

Winter Kids:
November 14, 2018 – Ellsworth
Join Healthy Acadia and WinterKids Program Director Marion Doyle at the Moore Community Center from 6 – 8 pm for this free 2-hour workshop and explore ways to keep kids active throughout the winter months with engaging, kid-friendly outdoor activities. Participants will be provided with a binder for their center or school full of activities to keep kids moving, grooving, and learning through the winter months. See flyer for registration info.

Winter Kids:
December 6, 2018 – Calais
Join Healthy Acadia and WinterKids Program Director Marion Doyle at Washington County Community College from 6 – 8 pm for this free 2-hour workshop and explore ways to keep kids active throughout the winter months with engaging, kid-friendly outdoor activities. Participants will be provided with a binder for their center or school full of activities to keep kids moving, grooving, and learning through the winter months. See flyerfor registration info.

Work and Benefits Navigator Training:
December 7, 2018 – Bangor
DHHS is holding a Work and Benefits Navigator Training for anyone who supports people with disabilities. The cost is $25 (free to DHHS employees). Training will be provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators from Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services. More information and registration info here.

Family Activity: Creating a Cookie Jar Mix:
December 7, 2018
Free family activity Facilitated by Misty Day, Regional Parent Support Coordinator for G.E.A.R. at MAS Community Health, 60 Main St., Machias from 10 am to 12 pm. Whip up a special gift from the kitchen to show family and friends you truly care! Join us for an Morning of fun and create a cookie jar mix to enjoy with family or use as a homemade gift for that special someone. Personalize your jar by adding your own creative touch. G.E.A.R. will provide the supplies and feel free to bring a Quart wide mouth canning jar or decorative items from home. To register, please contact Misty Day at 1.800.264.9224 or 485.4253; Email: mday@crisisandcounseling.org.

Serial Classes, Groups & Play Dates

Free Tobacco Cessation Classes: A Freshstart Tobacco Cessation group will meet on Mondays from 5:15 to 6:15 pm beginning November 5 and continuing through November 26, 2018 at Healthy Acadia’s office located at 121 Court Street, Machias. Classes will provide face-to-face group support sessions designed to help smokers plan a successful quit attempt by providing essential information, skills for coping with cravings, and group support. See press release for details and registration info – download this flyer to send to friends and colleages.

CNA College Course: Washington County Community College is holding a Certified Nursing Assistant course from October 15th to January 22nd, at the conclusion of which students will sit for the state exam to become a registered C.N.A., and be placed on the State of Maine C.N.A. Registry. Call 207-454-1000 for an application. See flyer for details.

Assessment and Response to Intervention Course: Washington County Community College is offering an online Assessment and Response to Intervention course starting October 11th. Call 207-454-1000 for an application. See flyer for details.

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.

CAN Council Fall/Winter Classes:
Washington County’s CAN Council is holding 3 new series of classes this fall/winter:

Just for Dads – Mondays from 5-7 pm in Machias, beginning September 10th
Active Parenting – Wednesdays from 3-4:30 pm in Machias, beginning Setpember 12th
Prenatal Program – Tuesdays from 5-7 pm in Calais, beginning September 12th.

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

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 October 3rd meeting coming soon. The next meeting is November 7th at SCEC from 1 — 3:00 pm with another 30 minutes for informal networking and discussion. Contact Christine to join this meeting.

Needs & Offers

Send us your agency/community needs or offers, such as job recruiting or housing needs.

FFD Job Posting: Sunrise County Economic Council is seeking a full time Enrollment & Eligibility Assistant for the Family Futures Downeast Program. See the job ad here.

Porter Memorial Library Fundraiser: Donations of gift quality items (jewelry, artwork) and other hand-made items are needed for a silent auction on October 19 to raise money to expand the building and make it handicapped-accessible. If you have questions, email Lee at librarian@porter.lib.me.us, or call the Library.

Community Education Assistant Needed: University of Maine Cooperative Extension invites applications for a full-time, fiscal-year, soft-money funded, federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Community Education Assistant (CEA) CL1. This position will be based in the Washington County Cooperative Extension office in Machias, ME. This position will deliver direct nutrition education to low-income adults with children, and to low-income children in group settings in the Washington County community. Starting pay for this position is $12.69/hr. Visit here for a complete job description and to apply.

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation: provides assistance to patients of all ages throughout New England who have fallen on financial hardships as a result of a cancer diagnosis. During cancer treatment, bills and mortgage payments can start to pile up as you focus more on your health. We’re here to help alleviate that financial stress. Learn more about how to apply here.

Favorite Resources

Send us your favorite links to share with other Communique readers.

CCC Wednesday Communique — October 10, 2018