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CCC Wednesday Communique — April 20, 2022

CCC staff, consultants and pets enjoying each other’s company in a hybrid meeting at Abby’s house.  Of course there was enough food for an army!

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week Conference
This is the G.E.A.R. Parent Network’s 17th year in partnering with the Office of Child and Family Services, in addition to the Youth Peer Support Network and the System of Care Planning Team to bring to you Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week virtual conference. This year the 2022 theme is “Acceptance.” One positive impact of this pandemic which has challenged everyone’s mental health is that, now more than ever, people are talking about mental health and know it’s important! So, it’s time to move beyond the term awareness. This significant shift to “acceptance” speaks more directly to our goal – to eliminate bias and discrimination that individuals with a mental illness diagnosis or symptoms experience. Please register to participate in our free Children’s Mental Health conference to learn and have dialogue about the importance of children’s mental health in an effort to foster acceptance and end prejudice and discrimination.  There are separate registrations to receive the link to each day’s presentations and by joining us you not only will enjoy the powerful presentations you also will receive a certificate of attendance with contact hours for each day you attend!  Zoom links will be emailed to you 1-3 days prior to each conference day.
2 trainings for Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In recognition of this the Prevention Council would like to introduce two professional trainings to you, the Mandated Reporter Training and the Front Porch Project. Both trainings are free, facilitated by the Prevention Council and are critical building blocks to protecting our children.
  • The Mandated Reporter training focuses on your role and responsibilities under Maine Law as a mandated reporter. Participants will learn to identify indicators of child abuse and neglect, and how to make a report if abuse is suspected. A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. These laws are in place to prevent children from being abused and to end any possible abuse or neglect at the earliest possible stage.  No trainings scheduled at this time.  Contact Monica Olivares to request a training at 263-5270 or molivares@sun-rise.org.
  • The Front Porch Project is a community training that looks at why people do (and do not) get involved when they see unusual situations and behavior from a caregiver, parent, or provider towards a child. For example, you see an uncomfortable situation between a parent and child at the grocery store, library, or youth sports game. This training provides strategies on how you can help by stepping in and showing support to the family. Three trainings scheduled. See flyer for dates, times and how to join the Zoom.

FREE Community Baby Shower

Sunrise Opportunities Prevention Council invites all expectant parents and parents of newborns to a free Community Baby Shower on Sunday, May 22nd, from 1 – 3 pm at the Kay Parker Building in Machias.  See flyer for details.  Bring your partner, family member, or BFF.  We will have gifts, games, information, prizes, refreshments and more!

Downeast Exploration Fund

Nationally-acclaimed author Gigi Georges has created the Downeast Exploration Fund to support rural, Downeast youth. In 2021, Ms. Georges published the non-fiction book, Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America with publisher Harper Collins. Following the first edition printing, Ms. Georges expressed interest in establishing a scholarship with Maine Seacoast Mission to honor the continued strength and resilience residing in the young populations of the Downeast region of the state. Beginning in spring 2022, the Fund will provide financial support to eligible applicants who wish to explore their own passions and pursue experiences not otherwise available to them.  Learn more here.

Heating Assistance

This program offered by the Sunrise Prevention Council is for any family who is in need of supplemental heating assistance. A family must live in Washington or Hancock County, have a child under the age of 18 living within the home, experiencing financial hardship and earn less than $40,000/ to be eligible. This is a supplemental program, meaning this can be used in addition to any assistance the family may already be accessing. All applications are to be submitted by a provider to the Prevention Council. The Prevention Council will pay the vendor directly once the application is approved. Families can receive up to $200 for the heating source of their choice. This is a one time use. For an application or questions, please contact Monica Olivares at 255-8273 or molivares@sun-rise.org.

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