CCC Wednesday Communique — February 9, 2022

Valentine’s Day is coming up!  Cat lovers, check out the evil but hilarious Grumpy Cat Valentine Love Cards you can send at The Awesome Daily.  I’m still laughing at the images because as cat parents, we know how lucky we are to be tolerated by our feline companions.

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

Building Resilience for Educators & Caregivers
Barbara Chatterton, Washington County’s Early Childhood Consultation Partnership coordinator, is offering a training on February 21st at 1:30 pm. Building Resilience for Educators & Caregivers is an online training designed for the educators and caregivers of pre-K (3-5) children to introduce and more deeply develop resilience, making it possible to better meet professional challenges while also nourishing the self. A certificate of 1.5 hours completion can be provided upon request.  Please RSVP to Barbara Chatterton by February 18th at bchatterton@sun-rise.org in order to be registered and receive your meeting link. Download this flyer to share.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness
NextStep Domestic Violence Project is offering free educational programming to schools throughout Washington and Hancock Counties to raise awareness about teen dating violence during February’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (and throughout the school year). “Teen dating violence education is a critical part of a young person’s education,” stated Alli Williamson, Next Step Youth Educator. “In the span of just one year, one in ten high school students will experience violence in dating relationships. It’s important to teach young people what relationships look like that are based in equality and respect vs. relationships where power and control is being used. Our youth education programs aim to teach students about relationships, where they can find support, how they can help others, and how we can create changes that promote equality and respect in the community at large. To learn more about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and to schedule a program for classrooms in grades K-12 (and college), please contact Alli Williamson: awilliamson@nextstepdvproject.org / NextStep helpline: 800-315-5579

Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online information session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers, 7–8 p.m. March 1 and 8. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today” will offer participants information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program, options for volunteering and requirements to become a volunteer. Current Extension 4-H members and volunteers will discuss their experiences and hands-on activities will be offered. Registration is required by Feb. 18; register on the event webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, 207-255-3345; jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.


Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety
University of Maine Cooperative Extension and University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension are hosting an informational webinar about a new program for produce farmers to help them start or improve their farm food safety planning from 4–5 p.m. March 1. “Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety” is a yearlong technical support program available by application to produce farmers in Maine and New Hampshire that includes an on-site visit, prioritizing needs and developing a food safety plan. Rob Machado, UMaine Extension assistant professor and food science specialist; Jason Bolton, Extension associate professor and food safety specialist; and Mary Choate, UNH Extension associate field specialist and food safety field specialist, will lead the webinar.  The webinar is free; registration is required. Register on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Robson Machado, 207-581-3144; robson.machado@maine.edu. This program is funded by USDA NIFA grant 2021-70020-35647.

COVID-19 Employment Questions

Anne-Marie Storey, Attorney with Rudman Winchell and Deb Neuman, Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, will answer your employment questions live on Facebook and Zoom, Monday, February 14th, 3-4 pm. Anne-Marie will:

  • Review current CDC and OSHA guidelines for quarantining, etc.
  • Update us on the OSHA ETS situation, particularly with regard to health care.
  • Talk about the proposed increase to the OT threshold

Join ZOOM or  Facebook Live.  Please contribute your questions during this live session or send them via email to csychterz@rudmanwinchell.com or through the Chamber via Facebook Messenger.


MH Coloring & Activity Book
To help foster dialogue between children and the safe adults in their lives, as well as provide children a tool for helping express and explore their feelings in a fun, creative and empowering way, NAMI offers “Meet Little Monster,” a mental health coloring and activity book, available for download at no-cost in both English and Spanish.  Visit NAMI Maine’s website for more information on services, trainings and programs.

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