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CCC Wednesday Communique — May 8, 2019

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!

Announcements

Spring into Fun: The WC CAN Council is holding a Family Fun Day and Resource Fair on May 18th from 12 – 2 pm at Machias Memorial High School (see flyer). Families can check out local resources while painting plant pots, seashells, birdhouses & more. There will be a raffle, refreshments, and pizza. Organizations serving families are invited to exhibit materials or send materials to be shared (see invitation and registration form). Deadline to sign up for a table is May 14th.

Who Speaks for the Child? The 25th Annual Maine Child Welfare Conference will be held on June 27th at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Keynote speaker is Christopher Spencer Greeley, MD, MS on the topic of “Abusive Head Trauma: The  Controversy.”  Download the brochure with conference agenda, breakout sessions, keynote speaker bio, and registration information.

WCCC Div of Workforce and Professional Development: WCCC is offering 6 exciting courses and events this summer (see flyer with general info or individual flyers for more detail):

For more information, call (207) 454-1000 or email nsawyer@wccc.me.edu.

HIPAA/FERPA & Civil Rights Compliance: This training, designed for FFD partner staff and open to other CCC partners, is in the process of being rescheduled to accommodate more attendees.  We will announce the new date once it has been confirmed.

Griefwalker:  On Friday, May 17th at 7 pm, Porter Memorial Library will screen the film “Griefwalker” from National Film Board of Canada (2008). “Griefwalker” follows Stephen Jenkinson, Canadian teacher, activist and former palliative care program director at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, as he works with dying people. A Harvard-trained theologian, Jenkinson believes that not every culture fears death as we do, and that grief could well be approached with learned skills, rather than dread.  Amy Zipperer will lead a discussion following the 70-minute film. The event is free and open to the public. Download this press release for more info.

Building Resilience Across the Lifespan: Registration is now open for the MRBN Member Conference on May 30th.  Learn more here.

MRBN is Hiring!  Learn more in the Needs & Offers section of this newsletter.

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.

Updates 

This is where we post updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation.

Barriers to Sustainable Long-Term Care Financing (from “Long-Term Care Financing,” by Jean Galiana & William A. Haseltine in Aging Well, pp 19-27)

Public Knowledge
Most Americans do not know how the long-term care system operates. As a result, they do not support financing reforms that would make supporting long-term care possible.The citizens of the United States must be educated about the existing long-term care system or the much-needed reform will not happen. Lack of knowledge of the long-term care system, along with denial, leaves many unprepared for the costs that they will likely incur in old age….

Cost
Not everyone can afford private long-term care insurance. The annual cost of a policy for a couple at age 55 can range from US$2085 to US$3970, depending on the insurer, the policy purchased, and health profile of the purchaser.15 Long-term care insurance has inherent risks to the policyholder who may not be able to continue paying every year. When beneficiaries let their policies lapse, the annual premiums that they may have paid for decades is lost, and will not be available to pay for their future care.

Reimbursement Policy
Medicare and private insurers do not reimburse for long-term nursing home stay. In 2016, the average annual cost of nursing home care ranged from approximately US$82,128 for a semiprivate room to US$92,376 for a private room.16 On average, people will need three years of long-term care in their lifetime.17 The beneficiaries will also realize high out-of-pocket expenses related to long-term care. These costs are not affordable by most.18 Many are forced to spend down their savings and sell their homes.

Only after a person has depleted almost all of their savings will they be eligible for long-term care reimbursement from Medicaid. Medicaid is a means and or disability tested, joint federal and state government financed healthcare insurance that covers home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. The process of obtaining Medicaid at this stage is complicated and difficult for older individuals to navigate. Additionally, asset depletion can leave a surviving spouse and or family in financial ruin.

Another option for lower-income families is to keep the older relative at home and become the informal caregiver. This option places physical and emotional strain on the caregiver, who is most often an older female living with health challenges of her own. Many countries have recognized the integral role of the informal caregiver in enabling a person to remain at home and the considerable financial value this care brings to the health system. Recognition has come in the form of paid leave (care leave), respite support,19 and financial reimbursement.

Veterans in the United States receive a pension and some support with homecare and assisted living. The combination makes long-term care affordable by most veterans but not without out-of-pocket costs.
Read full article with footnotes here.

One-Time Events  

Maine Association for Infant Mental Health Conference: 
May10, 2019
Save the date for “A New Look at Mindfulness in Our Work with Families” — the 32nd annual conference at the downtown Freeport Hilton Garden Inn. Michael Trout, M.A. is the featured speaker.  Details in conference brochure.   Please contact Debra Nugent Johnston with any questions at DebraNJ@aol.com.

Wisdom Inquiry:
May 14, 2019
Engaging Communities Though Social and Print Media is another in the “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry”  webinar series organized by the Tri-State Learning Collborative on Aging. Join us from 12 – 1 pm to focus on engaging communities through social and print media. We are thrilled to have hosts Denise Plante, coordinator of Age-Friendly Jackman, Nancy Davis, President of Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative, and Vivian Winterhoff and Mary Secor, from Organized Acts of Kindness for Seniors in NH. They will host the conversation about successes and challenges of using social and print media to engage the community. Share ideas that have worked in your community to increase community engagement and to glean ideas from other lifelong community leaders!  Register here.

Elder Abuse Summit:
May 16, 2019
The 2019 Elder Abuse Summit will be held on May 16th from 9:30 am — 4:15 pm at the Augusta Civic Center. Cost of attendance is $45 (limited scholarships available upon request).  This is a day-long, multidisciplinary event for professionals working to prevent, detect, and respond to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The day will include presentations from local and international experts in the field (see Summit Agenda and read speaker bios).  Contact and registration information here.

Griefwalker:
May 17, 2019
At 7 pm on Friday, May 17th, Porter Memorial Library will screen the film “Griefwalker” from National Film Board of Canada (2008). “Griefwalker” follows Stephen Jenkinson, Canadian teacher, activist and former palliative care program director at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, as he works with dying people. A Harvard-trained theologian, Jenkinson believes that not every culture fears death as we do, and that grief could well be approached with learned skills, rather than dread.  Amy Zipperer will lead a discussion following the 70-minute film. The event is free and open to the public. Download this press release for more info.

Spring into Fun:
May 18, 2019
The WC CAN Council is holding a Family Fun Day and Resource Fair on May 18th from 12 – 2 pm at Machias Memorial High School (see flyer). Families can check out local resources while painting plant pots, seashells, birdhouses & more. There will be a raffle, refreshments, and pizza. Organizations serving families are invited to exhibit materials or send materials to be shared (see invitation and registration form). Deadline to sign up for a table is May 14th.

True Senior Prom: 
May 19, 2019
Washington County activities directors invite staff in assisted living and nursing homes to bring their residents to the “True Senior Prom” – a special afternoon event on May 19th from 2-4 pm in the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium.  Elders living at home are also invited to attend this free activity (donations welcome). Join us for music, dancing, finger food & punch and all the fun of a prom, including a drawing for Prom King & Queen!  Formal attire welcome. Download this flyer for more information. RSVP to Christine at claurel@cccmaine.org.  This event is supported by Washington County Thriving in Place, an initiative funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation.

Discover Business Resources—Networking Event: 
May 21, 2019
Washington County Community College Div of Workforce and Professional Development is holding this networking event from 3 – 5 pm in St Croix Hall.  Join us, along with our partners from the Ownership Transition Initiative, Sunrise Economic Council, and CEI’s Women’s Business Center, for a networking event to learn how business can utilize the assets and resources in Washington County to grow their business while planning for the future.  See flyer with more details.

MCH & Substance Exposed Infant Conference:
May 22 & 23, 2019
DHHS’s Maternal and Child Health & Substance Exposed Infant Conference, Building Pathways of Hope and Success, at  Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.  Registration is currently closed but you can sign up for the waiting list. This two day conference is an educational opportunity for clinicians, medical and social service providers, prevention professionals, public health professionals, behavioral health professionals, community members, parents, and others to discuss strategies to optimize maternal and child health. The presenters each day will provide a host of information related to Health Equity, Trauma Informed Care, Eat Sleep Console, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Maternal Depression, Prenatal Substance Exposure, and the many resources available to this population at large.

For the Love of Fido – Older Adults and Pets: 
May 28, 2019
The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging invites you to a webinar on Tuesday, May 28th from 12 — 1:30 pm to hear from programs that help older adults enjoy their pets and that bring older adults and pets together. There is mounting evidence supporting the therapeutic psychological and physical health benefits of animals in the lives of older adults. However, there are barriers to personal pet ownership. There are many ways older folks can connect with animals, in addition to owning personal pets. Older people volunteer at animal shelters, walk dogs, provide respite care, and become a part of a certified therapy-animal team. Join us to learn more about these programs in northern New England.
Presenters:
•    Meredith Anderson, Manager of Information and Referral, Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging
•    Jerilee Zezula, Executive Director, ElderPet 
Register here.

Lesson’s Learned from Maine’s Lifelong Communities Movement: 
May 30, 2019
Save the date for this special learning and networking event specifically designed for lifelong communities initiatives including Age-Friendly Communities, village models, and independent lifelong community planning efforts, sponsored by the University of Maine Center on Aging in partnership with the Maine Community Foundation at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor, 10:30 am — 4:30 pm.  Details in this flyer.  Full Program will be announced shortly, but registration is already open.

MRBN Conference:
May 30, 2019
The Maine Resilience Building Network will offer a one-day conference, Building Resilience Across the Lifespan. Sessions will include: The Social Emotional Learning; Cool Calm Kids, Poverty and Resilience: Surviving to Thriving and Grandparents as Caregivers: Realities and Resources. Visit our events page on the MRBN website for updates and registration. Registration now open. Free to MRBN members! Space will be limited.

Hot Topics in Employment: 
June 11, 2019
The law firm of Rudman & Winchell will present a lunch & learn on three of the hottest topics facing employers in employment law: drug use; sexual and other prohibited harassment; and workplace accommodation.  Washington County Community College is hosting this event from 11:00 to 1:30 in the Assembly Room. Download a flyer for more information. Reserve your seat by contacting Dawn Spinney at dspinney@rudmanwinchell.com or 207.992.2302.

Maine Geriatrics Conference: 
June 13-14, 2019
Early Bird registration ends May 1st 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

Details in this brochure and class schedule with descriptions.

FFD Substance Use 101:
June 26, 2019
The Community Caring Collaborative has scheduled a free 3-hour training on Building Substance Use Informed Practices to Support Families and Students. This training, presented by Abby Frutchey, LADC, CCS, is an introduction (101 version) to substance use and its impacts, and is designed for staff at all levels in Family Futures Downeast partner organizations. Staff from other CCC partner organizations who find this relevant to their work are welcome to attend. Download a flyer for more information. The training will be held from 9 am to 12 noon in Science 102 at the University of Maine, Machias, with a Zoom connection from the multimedia room at Washington County Community College.  Register here.

Who Speaks for the Child?
June 27, 2019
The 25th Annual Maine Child Welfare Conference will be held on June 27th at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Keynote speaker is Christopher Spencer Greeley, MD, MS on the topic of “Abusive Head Trauma: The  Controversy.”  Download the brochure with conference agenda, breakout sessions, keynote speaker bio, and registration information.

Donna Beegle’s Poverty Institute:
July 9-10, 2019
The intensive two-day Beegle Poverty Immersion Institute is coming to the University of New England in Portland, Maine this summer. This institute is presented by Dr. Donna M. Beegle, an authentic poverty expert who has been inspiring and educating individuals, organizations, politicians, and entire communities for over 30 years with proven models that make a real difference. For more information visit Poverty Immersion Institute.

Donna Beegle’s Coaching Institute:
July 11-12, 2019
The intensive two-day Beegle Coaching Institute is coming to the University of New England in Portland, Maine this summer.  This institute is presented by Dr. Donna M. Beegle, an authentic poverty expert who has been inspiring and educating individuals, organizations, politicians, and entire communities for over 30 years with proven models that make a real difference. For more information visit Coaching Institute (registration not open yet, but check back soon).

Innovations in Dementia Care: 
October 28, 2019 (revised date)
Save this date for the Fourteenth Annual University of Maine Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium, 8 am-4 pm at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine. Orono, ME. Anticipated topics include:

  • Population Health, Prevention, Genetics, Risk, & Resilience
  • Environments of Care
  • Screening & Diagnosis
  • Dementia & Driving
  • Caring for the Caregiver
  • What is High Quality Dementia Care?

Registration Information Coming Soon.  Details in this flyer.

Serial Classes & Groups  

classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events

WCCC Div of Workforce and Professional Development: WCCC is offering 6 exciting courses and events this summer (see flyer with general info or individual flyers for more detail):

For more information, call (207) 454-1000 or email nsawyer@wccc.me.edu.

Circle of Parents Playgroup — new groups meeting!

Contact Mandie Pepperman with questions at is 263-5270.

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 one or both!

  •  Part 1: MAT Readiness Academy: June 12, July 10, August 14; 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.  Meetings will be held virtually using an online platform (Zoom)
  • Part 2: MAT Expansion: 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.

Gerontology Course Summer 2019: The UMaine Center on Aging announces a 7-week online course in Gerontology this summer: May 20 through July 10, 2019.   GRN 502: Interprofessional Care of Older Adults in Diverse Settings (3 cr.) GRN 502 is one of 3 online courses in the UMaine Interprofessional Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology. More information on the Certificate Program here.

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.

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.

Standing Meetings  

Monthly and quarterly meetings  

2019 MRBN: Save these dates for Maine Resilience Building Network meetings held at EduCare in Waterville:

  •  May 30, 2019
  •  Sept 26, 2019
  •  October 31, 2019

Washington County Food Pantry Network: Here are the NOTES From the March Meeting on this shared google doc. Apologies for the gaps in the note-taking. The presentations were so interesting! Please fill in if you can update the information.  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:

  • June 6, 1-4 pm at Lubec Community Outreach Center, 44 South St in Lubec (the old high school).  We will update you as to whether internet connection in Lubec can support virtual participation. Conference call in info will be provided.
  • Oct 3,  1-4 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. The next meeting is June 5th in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm with another 30 minutes for informal networking and discussion. RSVP to Christine.

Needs & Offers 

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

MRBN is Hiring! The Maine Resilience Building Network is hiring an Engagement and Training Director. Please share this opportunity with your colleagues and friends. We are excited to welcome a new director to our leadership team. The new position will focus on engaging new partners and expanding our training outreach.  Download the full job description here.

June 7th is deadline for FFD Applications: Family Futures Downeast uses a two-generation approach to income eligible families providing services and supports for parents to succeed in college, while their child is assessing high quality early childhood education.  FFD also providing the family with coaching services, barrier removal, tutoring, college preparatory services and so much more. For more information or to request an application visit www.familyfuturesdowneast.org, e-mail familyfutures@sunrisecounty.org or call Jasmine Bassett- Enrollment & Eligibility Assistant at 207-255-0983 ext. 234. Download a flyer to share with colleagues and friends.

Business advising, workshops and events for women in business: Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) has named Ruth Feldman as Program Director of the Women’s Business Center at CEI with a focus on rural Maine, headquartered at Sunrise County Economic Council in Machias.  Ruth offers free, confidential business advising on:
•    Business plan development
•    Financing options
•    Business skills, such as marketing and financial management
•    Buying or selling a business
•    Workshops and training events on a variety of business issues
•   Opportunities for networking with other business owners, and more.
Contact Ruth at 207-241-5592 or Ruth.Feldman@ceimaine.org

True Senior Prom formal attire needed: Washington County activities directors are looking for donations of gently used formal attire (gowns in larger sizes especially needed) to outfit residents in area assisted living and nursing homes for the“True Senior Prom” – a special afternoon event on May 19th from 2-4 pm in the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium.  Donations may be dropped off at Healthy Acadia’s Machias office, 121 Court Street. This event is supported by Washington County Thriving in Place, an initiative funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation.

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.