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CCC Wednesday Communique — May 22, 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!

Photo above: Washington County elders swung the afternoon away last Sunday to the tunes of Orange River Jazz Band at the “True Senior Prom.” Hosted by Machias Memorial High School and organized by staff and family members of residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities with support from Washington County Thriving in Place, the prom brought together elders from all over Washington County for a special, formal event just for them. Watch this video from News Center Maine of Emma and Don Burke who finally got their chance to attend a senior prom together.

Announcements

FAN Model Training: Maine Behavioral Health is bringing a free training from the Erickson Institute on the FAN model (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) to Machias on June 13th, 8 am — 5 pm at UMM.  We are pleased to offer slots to area partners. Seats are sure to fill fast, so to secure yours, register directly with MBH by emailing Allegra Hirsh-Wright at: ahirsh@mainebehavioralhealthcare.org;
include name, email, phone, and organization. You may only register yourself. Registration is not considered complete until you have received confirmation from Allegra. Registration closes May 23, 2019.  Download flyer for more information.

Giraffe Award Nominations:  Help the Maine Children’s Alliance recognize the unsung heroes in communities throughout the state who “stick out their necks” for Maine kids at the Champions for Children Luncheon & 2019 Giraffe Awards, November 7th at the Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport. Together we can say “thank you” to the individuals, organizations, and businesses that go above and beyond their job description and invest precious time, energy and talent into our kids. Do you know someone who “sticks out their neck” for kids? Submit your nomination for this year’s Giraffe Awards here!  Deadline to submit nominations is May 31st! To see a list of some of our previous honorees, click here.

AETC Open House:  Axiom Education & Training Center invites you to their open house in celebration of five years of service to Washington County residents on June 3rd from 5 – 7 pm at their training center at 6 Colonial Way, Machias (next to Whole Life Market). Download flyer to share.

Paper Tigers Screening: A Family for ME and CHCS are working collaboratively to offer a screening of Paper Tigers at The Grand in Ellsworth on May 31st from 7-9 pm. There is no charge to attend, and we will be showing Heart Gallery pictures of Maine children waiting for their forever family.  Download more information here.

Engaging with Each Other Webinar:  The Tri-state Learning Collaboration on Aging invites you to their June 18th, 12 – 1 pm “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry” webinar highlighting some of the great ideas that are “popping up” in lifelong communities and aging in place initiatives in northern New England, famous for its ingenuity. The lifelong communities and aging in place initiatives develop innovative ideas to address needs. We will be “seeding” the conversation with several “kernels of corn” that are already popping in northern New England. Each community will briefly share what they are doing to spark other ideas in peer communities.  Join us to hear these innovative ideas and come prepared to share ideas that are working for your community. By sharing, you will help other communities pop.   Presenters—and the innovative, bright ideas that have popped in their community include:
•    Gayle Hayes, Harpswell Aging at Home, Seniors Connecting
•    Donna Palmer, Living Well in North Yarmouth, Kite in Sight/Traffic Calming
•    Marianne Jackson, Mount Washington Valley, Home Sharing
•    Tiffany Tobin, Burlington, Vermont, Grateful Hearts
Register here.

Housing for Veterans: See the announcement from Downeast Community Partners about 2 rental units in Milbridge in the Needs & Offers section of this newsletter.

Food Pantry Network Meeting: Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance and Healthy Acadia invite you to the next information-packed Food Pantry Network meeting on June 6th from 1-4 pm at the Lubec Community Outreach Center.  Download the agenda here.  See more about these meetings in the Standing Meetings section of this newsletter.

Eastport Health Care is Hiring!  See their job posting for a general dentist 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.

Update on LIFT and STEP Public Hearing: by Alison Weiss, Maine Equal Justice Partners
Nearly one in eight Maine children is growing up poor with an average household income of less than $12,000 a year. Together, we can change that. The Invest in Tomorrow 2018 report, based on data and input from nearly 200 organizations and individuals statewide, identified key strategies for cutting child poverty in half over the next ten years—and eliminating it in a generation. Several of these strategic priorities are reflected in two bills soon to be introduced by Speaker of the House Sara Gideon (Leveraging Investments so Families can Thrive, or LIFT) and Republican Assistant Minority Leader Trey Stewart (An Act to Secure Transitions to Economic Prosperity for Maine Families and Children, or STEP). You can learn more about the details of both bills in our fact sheet.

One-Time Events  

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.

Paper Tigers Screening:
May 31, 2019
A Family for ME and CHCS are working collaboratively to offer a screening of Paper Tigers at The Grand in Ellsworth on May 31st from 7-9 pm. There is no charge to attend, and we will be showing Heart Gallery pictures of Maine children waiting for their forever family.  Download more information here.

Maine Transnet training:
June 1, 2019
Maine Transnet is very interested in starting a transgender/non binary group in Washington county.  They are offering a training for new facilitators for that group and any other LGBTQ+ related community groups in the area on Saturday June 1st, Room 221 Torrey Hall, UMM, 9 am-5: pm, Lunch provided.  We are specifically looking for transgender people, and possibly some family members, to help lead a new trans and allies group in the area, but would love to invite folks from any local GSTAs to join us if they think support group facilitation is a skill they would benefit from.  FMI: Quinn Gormley at quinn@mainetransnet.org, (207)370-0359, and www.mainetransnet.org.

AETC Open House:  
June 3, 2019
Axiom Education & Training Center invites you to their open house in celebration of five years of service to Washington County residents on June 3rd from 5 – 7 pm at their training center at 6 Colonial Way, Machias (next to Whole Life Market). Download flyer to share.

FAN Model Training: 
June 13, 2019
Maine Behavioral Health is bringing a free training from the Erickson Institute on the FAN model (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) to Machias on June 13th, 8 am — 5 pm at UMM.  We are pleased to offer slots to area partners. Seats are sure to fill fast, so to secure yours, register directly with MBH by emailing Allegra Hirsh-Wright at: ahirsh@mainebehavioralhealthcare.org;
include name, email, phone, and organization. You may only register yourself. Registration is not considered complete until you have received confirmation from Allegra. Registration closes May 23, 2019.  Download flyer for more information.

Maine Geriatrics Conference: 
June 13-14, 2019
The 29th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference “where policy meets practice,” is 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.

Engaging with Each Other Webinar:  
June 18, 2019
The Tri-state Learning Collaboration on Aging invites you to their June 18th, 12 – 1 pm “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry” webinar highlighting some of the great ideas that are “popping up” in lifelong communities and aging in place initiatives in northern New England, famous for its ingenuity. The lifelong communities and aging in place initiatives develop innovative ideas to address needs. We will be “seeding” the conversation with several “kernels of corn” that are already popping in northern New England. Each community will briefly share what they are doing to spark other ideas in peer communities.  Join us to hear these innovative ideas and come prepared to share ideas that are working for your community. By sharing, you will help other communities pop.   Presenters—and the innovative, bright ideas that have popped in their community include:
•    Gayle Hayes, Harpswell Aging at Home, Seniors Connecting
•    Donna Palmer, Living Well in North Yarmouth, Kite in Sight/Traffic Calming
•    Marianne Jackson, Mount Washington Valley, Home Sharing
•    Tiffany Tobin, Burlington, Vermont, Grateful Hearts
Register here.

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).

Aging My Way Community Fair
July 25, 2019
Community members interested in learning tips, tools, gadgets, strategies and services available to help retain wellness and supports into our later years are invited to “Aging My Way Community Fair,” a free summer event sponsored by Washington County Thriving in Place. Join us for exhibits, demonstrations and guidance to start planning your path to thriving in place. July 25th from 9 am — 3 pm in the Reynolds gymnasium at the University of Maine Machias (download a flyer to share). If your organization would like a table, please fill out the registration form on the CCC’s website (link here).  Mini demonstrations behind your table are welcome.  Deadline to sign up for a table is July 5th. Contact Christine with any questions.

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

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.

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: 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. Read notes from the meeting on May 1st.  The next meeting is June 5th in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm. We will have guest speakers from EMDC’s TechHire program and Legal Services for Low-income Mainers in Immigration Law.  RSVP to Christine.

Needs & Offers 

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

Attention Veterans!  For rent, two brand new unfurnished one bedroom apartments; located in Milbridge; walking distance to downtown stores, restaurants, banks, churches. All utilities included! Parking!  Washer/Dryer in units! Handicapped accessible! For more information: call Amy at 207-610-5955 or Ida at 207-598-5648. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Eastport Health Care is Hiring! Eastport Health Care, Inc., located on the ocean in beautiful Downeast Maine, is a federally qualified health center (FQHC), that provides dental, medical, and behavioral health services. EHC is looking for a full-time General Dentist to provide oral health education and care to patients, ages 6 months and up. Your expertise will be embedded into an integrated care clinic that follows patient-centered medical home guidelines and principles. Must be a graduate from an accredited dental school. Possess the ability to relate to people of all socioeconomic levels. To apply, send an e-mail with a cover letter detailing your qualifications, a resume with three professional references, and salary requirements to Roxanne Woodworth, HR Coordinator-Administrative Assistant (rwoodworth@eastporthealth.org). Resumes will be considered until the position is filled. For more information, please view our website at https://www.eastporthealth.org/jobs/.

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.

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.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Hathaway