Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
The CCC invites you to a one-hour introduction to Volunteering with Your Pet, presented by Elin MacKinnon, LCSW. This presentation is designed to orient you to the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program as a way of volunteering in the community with your pet. We’ll cover requirements and the process for registering with Pet Partners. For those of you who determine volunteering with your pet is not the right fit for you or your animal – we will be discussing other ways to be involved. Pet Partners is a national volunteer organization with nearly 15,000 teams in 50 states as well as Canada. Our mission is to improve human health and well-being through the power of the human animal bond. Register for this virtual training and please share this flyer.
The CCC is pleased to announce confirmation of a new set of dates for the postponed Impacts of Poverty on Students & Families training: July 20th & 22nd, 9 — 11 am. Julie Redding, CCC’s clinical director, and Charley Martin-Berry, CCC’s director, will present an overview, including the effects of cortisol and toxic stress on brain development; explore concepts of bias, scarcity and bandwidth; look at current poverty data; and discuss strategies that work, such as building executive function. Here is the link to register. Participants only need to register for session 1. The Zoom link to join session 2 will be provided during the training on July 20th. Participants who attend both sessions are eligible for .4 CEUs from UMM as well as a certificate of 4 contact hours from the CCC.
We’ve all seen the news headlines, and many of us are experiencing the impact firsthand of the unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages and walks of life. During May, Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to a safe space to listen, reflect, and connect with a topic that matters to everyone. The Earliest, a new podcast from ZERO TO THREE, takes a deep and personal look into mental health in the earliest years of life — the years that matter most. In season one, we embark on our journey with early childhood expert, doula, and mother Elizabeth Pihlaja, where she fearlessly shares the joy and trauma of bringing her first baby from the womb into the world. A new episode will be released each week in May. The first episode drops May 5, 2022, but first – here’s a peek into the series. Meanwhile, The State of Babies Yearbook: 2022 is here.
In 2022, Administration for Community Living (ACL) will be focusing on aging in place – how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. The 2022 theme is Age My Way, an opportunity for all of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities. We’re going to be discussing how planning, participation, accessibility, and making connections all play a role in aging in place – emphasizing that what each person needs and prefers is unique. Don’t forget to follow #OlderAmericansMonth for the latest from ACL, and to see what others are planning!
From the G.E.A.R. Parent Network: As we celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness in May, we want to reach out to you, in our shared vision for Maine’s children, youth and families. It is through our combined efforts ongoing that growth, renewal and the promotion of positive mental health will impact the well-being of our children. Our combined voices carry volumes in bringing about acceptance and change. Speak out and be heard!! Let your message ring in the ears of others: Children’s Mental Health Matters! Please register to participate in our free Children’s Mental Health conference on May 5th from 9 am — 2 pm to learn and have dialogue about the importance of children’s mental health in an effort to foster acceptance and end prejudice and discrimination.
Guide to Resources for Families and Caregivers
Family Survey on Child Care
Senior Companion Program Coordinator
Deb Gardner is stepping down at the end of May as the Senior Companion Program Coordinator. Please see the full job description here. According to Deb: “while the posting says the job is located in Bangor, that is negotiable.” Please share this job posting with anyone you know who might be interested, such as students who might be graduating and looking for an “awesome work opportunity.”
- To apply for assistance, visit Maine.gov/HomeAssist.
- Check out their FAQs
- If you have questions not answered on our frequently-asked questions page, you can contact the Bureau through our website HERE.
- Penquis CAP (207-973-3500) is prepared to answer questions and assist with the application process for residents of Washington County
- Homeowners requiring legal assistance or who are facing imminent loss of their home may be provided with assistance by two legal aid organizations, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and Legal Services for the Elderly, under contracts with the bureau
- A general description of the program, including income guidelines, benefit limits and required documentation, is found HERE.