Downeast Hospice Volunteers is always in need of new volunteers.  Please share this poster with anyone you know who might be interested in stepping into this rewarding role.  Attending all 6 days of the training (Oct 19, 21, 26, 28, Nov. 2 & 4, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Calais Community Hospital) is a requirement to volunteering.  Details and registration info in poster.

The Maine Department of Ed is hosting a regional meeting for/with the McKinney-Vento Liaisons at UMM October 13th. A panel from the homeless youth council will be present to help us determine how best to serve this population.  Download this flyer for more information.

The G.E.A.R. Parent Network invites parents/grandparents/caregivers/ educators of children with emotional or behavioral health concerns to their free workshops this fall.  Download the statewide schedule for details and to share.  If you are interested in signing up for one or more of these workshops, you can register online. Please reach out to Jennifer Smith, Regional Parent Support Coordinator, by email or phone (207-762-4411) with any questions,  or you can call 1-800-264-9224.

On Tuesday August 16th, Anne Tumlinson of Daughterhood.org was joined by panelists Christine Lee and Andrea Cohen for their 6th Daughterhood Conversation: “Navigating Home Care for Your Parents.”  We are SO pleased to announce a new blog, “Navigating Home Care” gleaned from that conversation.  It’s full of “real life” ideas and useful information to prepare for and see you through the many crises caregivers face when navigating home care. As a bonus it includes a SUPER helpful download contributed by Andrea on the right questions to ask when choosing a private home care company. HINT: This is one you want to read before you need it.

Maine Seacoast Mission distributes Christmas presents to kids, families, and elders, as well as to nursing homes and prisons, making sure that every person who needs a gift for Christmas will receive one. The items needed for gifts are separated into three different categories: all ages, seniors, and children and teens. The wishlist includes everything from toys and games to bodywash and socks. Since 1905, the Mission’s gift giving tradition has included distribution of knitwear. For knitters and crocheters who wish to donate their wares, mittens, hats, prayer shawls, scarves, socks, and lap robes are appreciated. The 2022 Christmas Program wish list and Amazon wish list are available for those looking to donate specific items of need. Stephanie Moores, Family and Community Engagement Program Manager, who runs the Christmas Program, says that gift cards to Walmart and Amazon as well as monetary donations are also welcome, which will help the Mission fulfill specific requests.  Gifts and cards can be mailed to Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program to PO Box 428, Cherryfield, ME 04662 (USPS) or 39 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME (UPS). Checks should be addressed to Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program, P.O. Box 600, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662. The Mission would like to properly acknowledge all contributions, so please include a full name and address on any package or letter sent to the Mission.

MaineHousing announced last Thursday that it had paused accepting new applications to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program as the agency awaits word on its request for additional federal funding. An unanticipated uptick in demand on the program, coupled with uncertain new revenue prompted MaineHousing’s leadership team to make this decision. As of 5 p.m., Sept. 29, the program, which was started in March of 2021, is no longer accepting new applications or renewed applications for rent or electric utility assistance. The program, launched as a temporary support, is paid for with federal funds authorized under a pair of COVID-19 relief laws.  Read full press release for details.

This second installment in the Social Innovations Spotlight Series of the National Alliance for Caregiving, written by Dr. Fawn Cothran, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FGSA, Hunt Research Director at the National Alliance for Caregiving, explores those caring for someone with chronic pain and the tools that are available to assist them.  Assessing the Pain of Care Recipients: Tools Available to Family Caregivers utilizes a rapid literature review to identify and discuss the tools available to chronic pain caregivers to assess pain in their care recipient and how these caregivers can be better supported in their role.  Read report.