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!

Also showing at Washington County Community College on November 12th — see more below.

New this Week

Recovery Boys Documentary – more info on screening & panel discussion

The University of Maine Machias and Washington County Community College public screenings of this documentary at 5:30 pm on Nov 12t & 13th will be followed by panel discussions of the film with the following panelist lineup:
Tuesday, Nov 12th at WCCC in St Croix Lecture Hall (download a flyer):

Bob Fitzsimmon– Chief of Police, Baileyville
Merlin Pete Francis– Medical provide, Passamaquoddy Health Center
Amy Day– Downeast Recovery Support Center Manager
Terri Woodruff– Director Maine Area Recovery Coaches, Heathy Acadia
Ryan Kizitaff– Peer support specialist- Discovery House, The Freeway Addiction Recovery
Gordon Smith– State of Maine Director of Opioid Response
Panel moderator: Penny Guisinger- Healthy Acadia

Wednesday, Nov 13th at UMM in Science 102 (download a flyer):

Barry Curtis- Washington County Sherriff
Ann O’Brien, PNP– Psychiatric nurse practitionerbeshe, Eastport Healthcare
Marshall Mercer- Downeast Recovery Support Center Coordinator, Machias
Terri Woodruff- Director Maine Area Recovery Coaches, Heathy Acadia
Paul Trovarello– Director Arise Addiction Recovery
Gordon Smith– State of Maine Director of Opioid Response
Panel Moderator: Charley Martin-Berry, Director Community Caring Collaborative

Neurodiversity on Campus

“Neurodiversity on Campus” will be the topic of a free public workshop at the University of Maine at Machias on Thursday, Nov. 7th. Associate professor of psychology Meghan Duff will present a lecture and facilitate a discussion from 6–7 p.m. in Torrey Hall, Room 230. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 255.1200. Dr. Duff will present on how the neurodiversity framework can benefit neurodivergent students, including those diagnosed with AD/HD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more, by helping them create community, advocate for supports, and celebrate their differences. The workshop is open to high school and college students, family members, educators and allies of neurodivergent individuals. Download a flyer to share.

National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month! The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) created National Family Caregivers Month to celebrate and acknowledge America’s 44 million family caregivers. The theme for this year’s National Family Caregivers Month is #BeCareCurious! Family caregivers want their loved ones to have the best care possible – at the doctor’s office, at the hospital, and at home. This month, the Caregiver Action Network is encouraging caregivers across the country to ask questions, explore options, and share in the #care decisions that affect the health and well‐being of their loved ones. To celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, NAC will be sharing resources and tips on Facebook and Twitter to encourage caregivers to #BeCareCurious. We’ll also be releasing new research at the end of the month. Stay tuned!

Understanding Patient Rights Regarding Discharge and Aftercare

Learn about this webinar and the Well Spouse Association in the Favorite Resources section of this newsletter.

Christmas Program Wish List Available Online

Learn about Maine Seacoast Mission’s Christmas Program Wish List 2019 that is also posted on Amazon 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

Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation

One-Time Events

Fairs, trainings, conferences and more in the state of Maine

Neurodiversity on Campus
November 7, 2019

Sunrise County Economic Summit:
Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going

November 8, 2019

Sunrise County Economic Council invites you to a day of shared learning about Washington County’s Economy at the Cobscook Community Learning Center on November 8th, 9 am – 3 pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Register by Friday, October 25th. Email Cathy Lookabaugh at clookabaugh@sunrisecounty.org with questions.

Estate Planning Workshop
November 12, 2019

Sunrise County Economic Council invites individuals and business owners to this workshop at SCEC (7 Ames Way, Machias) from 3–4:30 pm. Like many people, you may hope to leave a substantial legacy for your loved ones and charitable causes. But without proper planning and the appropriate financial strategies, you may not be able to protect your assets from probate and other unintended consequences. As a result, your estate may be settled in ways you did not intend. This workshop will provide practical and essential information and dialogue that may help you assess your current situation and develop a strategy that may help preserve your assets. Perhaps best of all, you’ll have an experienced professional to answer your questions and provide guidance to preserve your estate.
To register: Estate Planning.

Recovery Boys Documentary

November 12, 2019

Washington County Community College is hosting a public screening followed by panel discussion of Recovery Boys, a film that follows four men during their time and shortly after completing a program at Jacob’s Ladder, a farm-based residential treatment facility in West Virginia. Directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Recovery Boys “shows the reality of the addiction epidemic from a personal perspective – highlighting the residents’ individual struggles and the struggles of their loved ones.” Washington County Community College is co-sponsoring this event with Points North Institute, Healthy Acadia, CCC and Downeast Recovery Support Center in the St Croix Lecture Hall on November 12th at 5:30 pm (download a flyer). Watch a trailer for the film here.

Recovery Boys Documentary

November 13, 2019

The University of Maine Machias is hosting a public screening followed by panel discussion of Recovery Boys, a film that follows four men during their time and shortly after completing a program at Jacob’s Ladder, a farm-based residential treatment facility in West Virginia. Directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Recovery Boys “shows the reality of the addiction epidemic from a personal perspective – highlighting the residents’ individual struggles and the struggles of their loved ones.” UMM’s Psychology & Community Studies Program is co-sponsoring this event with Points North Institute, Healthy Acadia, CCC and Downeast Recovery Support Center on the evening of November 13th in Science 102 at 5:30 pm (download a flyer). Stay posted for start time. Watch a trailer for the film here.

Helping Hands with Heart Seminar

November 14, 2019

Helping Hands with Heart/The Maine Highlands Investment Partnership (MHIP) is offering this professional developmental seminar for its members and colleagues, including folks who have supported some of our activities the past year, focusing on the Impact of Poverty with Aleigh Suffern, who has been trained by Donna Beegle. As the poorest county in Maine, this discussion has profound meaning for service providers and advocates. This session will be offered at The Commons from 11 am — 2:30 pm, at no cost to participants; a light luncheon will be provided. Register no later than Friday, October 4th!

Difficult Conversations
November 19, 2019

Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on Tuesday, November 19th from 12:00-1:30 for a webinar discussion of difficult conversations. Older people, like the rest of us, struggle with challenging situations and tough choices. Often, lifelong communities and age-friendly organizations are asked to help when an older person faces one of the tough decision points in life. The panelists will share stories, tips, and strategies for engaging in difficult conversations regarding driving cessation, alcohol use, and elder abuse and exploitation. All three of these issues can have a negative impact on the health and well-being on older folks. Age-friendly organizations have a role providing resources, connections to services and programs, and support for family members who are supporting an older person through one of these difficult conversations. Lifelong communities are a go-to source for information and connection and may actually be brought into one of these difficult conversations. Join us to learn how to navigate the choppy waters of a difficult conversation and help people get the support they need to enjoy their best possible life. Register here.

Presenters:

Patricia Kimball, Executive Director, Elder Abuse Institute of Maine
Melissa Grenier, Regional Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, New Hampshire
Nancy Fishwick, Nurse Practitioner, St. Joseph HealthCare

Healthy Acadia’s Advisory Council Meeting
November 20, 2019

Community members, organizational and business partners from both Hancock and Washington counties, as well as regional partners, are invited to attend Healthy Acadia’s Advisory Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, from 11:30 am-2 pm, in our new Healthy Acadia office space, focused on recovery supports programming, located at 24 Church Street, Ellsworth. Lunch (provided) and formal networking will be from 11:30 am to 12 pm; the meeting will formally begin at 12 pm. Please RSVP by no later than Friday, November 15, 2019, so that we may best plan for lunch. If you are unable to access the form, please email Darlene Megno or call 207-255-3741.

Building Age-Friendly Communities from the Group Up
November 22, 2019

The CCC and Washington County Thriving in Place invite town managers and select board members to a lunch meeting on November 22nd from 12:30 — 3:30 pm at the Kay Parker Building in Machias facilitated by Patricia Oh, AARP Age-Friendly Consultant. We will explore how joining AARP’s network of age-friendly communities can benefit your town. Hear from representatives of communities in Washington and Hancock Counties that have already joined this network. Learn the process for receiving an age-friendly community designation. Lunch will be provided. Please share this flyer with your town manager and select board members. Pre-registration is appreciated.

CCC Vision Day 2019: Focus on Childcare
December 4, 2019

The Community Caring Collaborative invites you to Vision Day 2019 on December 4th from 9 am to 3 pm at Cobscook Community Learning Center. This is an opportunity for all members of the collaborative — service providers, administrators, educators, advocates, volunteers and community members — to bring ideas to the table that address a specific set of needs for Washington County residents. We do this every couple of years in the relaxed atmosphere of our favorite vision day venue — the CCLC — where creativity and dreaming big are encouraged. This year we’re focusing on childcare. Help us envision a Washington County where all childcare needs and wants are met. Dream of all the ways childcare in Washington County can support children, families, and the economy. It will take people with experience in all aspects of this equation (parents, child care providers/managers, policy makers, educators and workforce development experts) to fully tackle the issues, but we can start on December 4th and go from there. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Sign up here and share a flyer with staff and colleagues.

Starting Over: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
December 17, 2019

Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on Tuesday, December 17th from 12:00-1:30 for a webinar discussion of grandparents raising grandchildren. In the United States, more than three million children are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives. When grandparents assume this responsibility, they often take on added financial and legal responsibilities with little outside assistance. About 25% of those kinship families are in rural areas where it can be even more challenging to find needed resources and supports than it is in large cities. During this webinar, we will hear how age-friendly organizations in northern New England are supporting grand-families and helping to meet the economic, social, and health needs of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Presenter: Jennifer Crittenden, Assistant Director, UMaine Center on Aging. Register here.

Serial Classes & Groups

Classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events

The Business of Women: Book & Discussion Group

Ruth Feldman, Program Director/Business Advisor with the Women’s Business Center at CEI, invites women in business or thinking about starting a business to a new book & discussion group at the Porter Memorial Library on Tuesday evenings from 5-6:30 pm beginning October 22nd. “We will use the following books as a basis for conversations and try out some free, online tools that can help us to think, plan and take action. We will invite guests who can help to bring the books and topics to life and serve as real-world models from women within our community who have taken a leap in following their dreams. Books are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to be picked up from Porter Library in Machias. Registration required. $25 refundable book deposit or bring your own books.” Download a flyer with the schedule.

For more information, please contact Ruth at ruth.feldman@ceimaine.org.

Thursday Webinar Series at WCCC

Join Washington County Community College for HR Thursdays beginning in Fall 2019! This is an exciting series of quick lunch-n-learn webinars lead by an exclusive cadre of regional and statewide HR professionals. We will be tapping the robust talent that exists regionally to share best practices and provide technical assistance. See flyer for details, or visit this link.

CAN Council Groups

Weekly infant toddler playgroup in Machias: Fridays from 10-11 at the Kay Parker Building. See flyer for details.
Weekly Social Hour for children 6-11 who are engaged with section 26/65 to come with their BHP’s for a craft/activity/game on Fridays from 3-4. BHP’s and their kiddos are welcome any Friday, but we do ask that they send an RSVP (263-5270) with the kiddo’s age at least 2 hours prior. This way we can make accommodations or modifications to our activities if needed. This will be held at WCCP (232 Court St, Machias). See flyer for details.
Grandparents raising grandchildren – First Thursday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Woodland Public Library
Parents in Recovery (Calais) – Second Thursday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Downeast Recovery and Support Center, Calais
Parents in Recovery (Machias) – Second Monday of the month from 3:30 — 4:40 at Downeast Recovery and Support Center, Machias
Machias Circle of Parents – last Monday of the month from 3:30 — 4:30 at Sunrise Opportunities (232 Court St, Machias)
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. Location: Harrington Family Health Center, 52 East Main Street, Harrington, every Thursday from 12:30 — 2 pm. Text/call Mandie at 263-5270 to sign up.

Caregivers Facebook Group

The CCC is launching a private facebook group for caregivers in Washington County – professional caregivers like RNs and CNAs, and informal caregivers like family members providing care for a spouse, parent, specials needs child, sibling or the neighbor across the street. Our goal is for this group to provide a platform for caregivers to talk to each other, ask questions, offer solutions based on experience with similar challenges, and point to helpful resources. Use this link to join.

Recovery Dharma

The Downeast Recovery Supports Center is now hosting weekly meetings of Recovery Dharma, a Buddhist-inspired approach to recovery from addiction. Meetings are on Tuesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. No prior experience with Buddhism is required. Meetings are free and all who seek recovery are warmly welcomed. Learn more about Refuge Recovery at: www.refugerecovery.org.

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.

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 Part 2 now: 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

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 & Calendars

Monthly and quarterly meetings, agency/initiative calendars at a glance and other meeting schedules

Downeast Recovery Support Center Calendars

Want to be able to plan ahead for the month with meetings and/or events happening at our Centers? Visit the Downeast Recovery Support Center facebook page where calendar of events for both centers are pinned to the top. If there’s something else you’d like to see offered, let us know!

Downeast Public Health Council Meeting

Downeast Public Health Council Members and Stakeholders are invited to the next Downeast Public Health Council Meeting on Friday November 15th at the Maine Seacoast Mission EDGE Center in Cherryfield. Our focus will be on Health Literacy. We will also have a discussion on the upcoming Local Public Health Systems Assessment as well as our regular updates. Agenda & Meeting Packets will be sent out closer to the meeting. For more information please contact, Maura Goss, Council Coordinator, maura.goss@maine.gov.

Downeast Rainbow Alliance

The Downeast Rainbow Alliance has the mission of Advocacy, Education, and Support for the LGBTQ Community in Washington County. Meetings alternate between those held at the Eastport Community Health Center and the University of Maine at Machias. All are welcome. Last meeting of the year is November THU, NOV 21 AT 6:30 PM in Torrey Hall 234 at UMaine Machias. Parking is to the side of the building with accessible parking and elevator. FMI: downeastrainbowalliance@gmail.com.

GEAR Fall Quarterly Workshops

Shannan Boyorak, Regional Parent Support Coordinator for the G.E.A.R. Parent Network, is circulating a flyer with their statewide schedule for workshops being offered this fall. If you have any questions or are interested in more information or attending one of these workshops, feel free to reach out to Shannon or call the 1-800 number listed on the flyer. Download the flyer here.

Calais Area Breast Cancer Support Group

Meetings 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. The November meeting is this week, Nov 6th, in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm, immediately following a brown bag lunch beginning at 11:30 presented by financial coach, Joe Connors of DCP. Download an agenda for this meeting. October notes coming soon. Send your questions to Christine.

Needs & Offers

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

Christmas Program Wish List Available Online

Each year at Christmas time, Maine Seacoast Mission distributes holiday gifts to children, families, elderly, and nursing home residents. The tradition of Mission Christmas presents began more than 100 years ago when the Mission brought gifts to island residents and lighthouse keepers. Now, generous donors bring new items to the Mission throughout the year to be distributed on the islands and in Hancock and Washington counties at Christmas time. Last year we helped with gifts for over 1,500 children and elderly in need. Our Christmas Program Wish List 2019 with shipping instructions is available for downloading here and on the Mission web site. More info here. For the first time, we are also providing a wish list on Amazon which can be accessed by this link.

Toys Needed for FFD

Family Futures Downeast needs some new or gently used toys for our family rooms on campus at UMM and WCCC. We are looking for some little 4-inch action figure people for our playhouses. Also any wooden toys or items for “pretend play” (such as little pots & pans, food items for the play kitchen) would also be appreciated. (Please, no legos). You can drop them off at our office at Sunrise County Economic Council, 7 Ames Way in Machias or contact Marsha Sloan directly at msloan@sunrisecounty.org.

RecoveryCorps Coaches

Do you have a passion to help those struggling with substance use disorder to be successful in recovery? Healthy Acadia is now actively recruiting full-time (32-36 hrs per week) and part-time (8-10 hours per week) volunteers to serve in our AmeriCorps / RecoveryCorps program for the 2019-2020 service year, starting in September, 2019. Download full job description. If you are interested, the first step is to fill out a Pre-Screening Questionnaire found at this link.

Hope Fund is Open!

The Hope Fund Committee is now accepting applications for the new Hope Fund award year. After receiving helpful feedback from providers and exploring ways to better serve families throughout the year, the committee has divided the Hope Fund award year into 3 segments. Funds are allocated evenly for each trimester. October 16th is the beginning of the first trimester. The committee will meet weekly to review applications until funds are depleted, then will stop accepting applications until the beginning of the next trimester. Keep abreast of Hope Fund developments and download the application form and other helpful documents on the CCC website.

Free Window Insulation Kits

Maine Seacoast Mission is once again offering free, reusable interior storm windows in different sizes to seniors and families to help lower heating costs. Contact the Downeast Campus in Cherryfield (546-5870) to pick up your kit, or connect with a Community Caring Collaborative staff member about picking up a kit from their office.

Assistant Director/Adult Education Teacher

Axiom Education & Training Center is seeking to fill a position for 25 hours to start as an Assistant Director/Adult Ed. teacher. Minimum requirement is a Bachelors degree in education. Some travel is required. Training will be provided. Please send a resume and cover letter to: jane.blackwood@aetc.us

EMDC Workforce Development Services

EMDC has moved to the Career Center in Machias (53 Prescott Drive, near the Hannaford Shopping Plaza). Connect with EMDC staff for employment and training assistance to eligible individuals in EMDC’s five county service area. For assistance in Washington County call Amanda Smith at 951-2349 or email asmith@emdc.org, or call Samantha Giasson at 610-1521 or email Samantha.Giasson@emdc.org if you’ve worked in agriculture/farm work in the last two years. Additional information can be found at https://www.emdc.org/page/954/workforce.

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.

Favorite Resources

Send us your favorite links to share with other Communique readers.

Understanding Patient Rights Regarding Discharge and Aftercare

Facing hospital discharge, understand your rights and options as a patient or caregiver. The Well Spouse Association, an organization focused on providing support and resources for spousal caregivers, is hosting a webinar “Understanding Patient Rights Regarding Discharge and Aftercare” on Wednesday November 13^th from 8–9 pm EST for patients and their spouses facing hospital discharge. Webinar speaker Gina Westphal, a Patient and Family Advocate and Clinical Therapist from Medicare-funded quality improvement company Livanta, explains patient and caregivers’ rights upon being discharged from the hospital, such as treatment options and care transition. Register here.

Learn more about the Well Spouse Association

The mission of the CCC is to nurture and sustain collaboration that expands resources and results in greater hope, health and wellbeing for Washington County people.

Contact: Christine Laurel, Communication & Training Coordinator
Community Caring Collaborative
PO Box 224, East Machias, ME 04630
Phone: 207-249-3318
Fax: 207-835-4500

Photo courtesy of Angela Donaghy

CCC Communique — November 6, 2019