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!
Photo above: Don’t miss your opportunity for a table at the CCC’s Family Resource Fair at Washington County Community College on June 12th – description & sign-up form here.
Announcements
Renewable Energy Workshop: Agricultural producers and rural small business owners are invited to a free renewable energy workshop on Friday, May 11th from 3-5 p.m. in Machias, hosted by the Sunrise County Economic Council, to learn how to access USDA Rural Development guaranteed loan and competitive grant funds through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for the purchase, installation and construction of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects. Read the full agenda here to learn about topics and speakers. To register, email Jennifer Brennan at the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
Persisting in the Face of Caregiver Difficulties: FREE Webinar on June 5th at 7 pm EDT presented by Janet Edmunson, M.Ed., for family and professional caregivers. Webinar will be approximately 30-40 minutes in length. Register online today by clicking this link.
Your announcement could go here: email the details to Christine by 5 pm Monday for inclusion in Wednesday’s Weekly Communiqué.
Updates
This is where we post updates on programs, initiatives and pending legislation.
One-Time Events
Soils & Garden Class:
April 28, 2018
The Sunrise County Food Alliance will hold their 6th annual Soils and Gardens Class at Washington County Community College gymnasium in Calais from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Presenter is Mark Fulford, a well-known farm consultant and educator, who will be addressing soil improvement, increasing diversity on small farms, and how to deal with current climate conditions, including preparing for drought and increased insect pressure on crops, as well as other topics. There is no charge for the class; donations will be accepted. Bring your lunch. For more information, call 454-3364.
Music Therapy Brown Bag Lunch:
May 2, 2018
You’ve heard of “music therapy,” but you still have questions about what it actually is and how it could 
help your clients reach their goals. Learn what makes music a useful tool for therapy; hear clinical examples of music therapy in a variety of clinical settings; and find out how to access these services. Join us for this fun and informative presentation by Carla Tanguay, MA, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist with over 15 years of experience in clinical practice and healthcare management. Bring your lunch and we’ll provide beverages and dessert. Please RSVP to save your seat in the large conference room at SCEC from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm.
Psychology & Community Studies Open House:
May 2, 2018
Please join the UMM Psychology & Community Studies Faculty and Senior Students for an open house from 3:30-5:00 pm in the Frederick Reynolds Center Conference Room. Students will be presenting on their final senior projects they developed with community partners. FMI: Dr. Lori Schnieders, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Maine at Machias. Phone: 255-1460, Email: lori.schnieders@maine.edu with “Senior Project Presentation” in the header.
Washington County Provider Meeting:
May 4, 2018
Children’s Behavioral Health invites direct service providers working with children to a meeting from 10:30 to 12:30 pm at SCEC. Focus of this meeting will be on how to meet the needs of specific children waiting for HCT and RCS services Washington County. See Flyer for details and RSVP to Cheryl Hathaway.
Elder Abuse Summit:
May 10, 2018
5th annual conference on Elder Abuse, hosted by the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Augusta Civic Center. See flyer for details or visit MCEAP’s website.
Renewable Energy Workshop:
May 11, 2018
Agricultural producers and rural small business owners are invited to a free renewable energy workshop from 3-5 p.m. in Machias, hosted by the Sunrise County Economic Council, to learn how to access USDA Rural Development guaranteed loan and competitive grant funds through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for the purchase, installation and construction of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects. Read the full agenda here to learn about topics and speakers. To register, email Jennifer Brennan at the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
Anah Shriners Pre-Screening clinics:
May 12, 2018
Pre-Screening Clinics for Children. There is no charge to attend a pre-screening and no appointment is necessary. Pre-Screening clinics are held from 9 a.m. to Noon at the locations on this flyer.
Childcare Provider Training – Calais:
May 15, 2018
The Washington County CAN Council is offering a free Strengthen Maine Families training for childcare providers from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Frank Beckett Center Conference Room, 19 Eaton Street, Calais. See flyer for details. Free dinner and childcare provided.
Maine Infant Mental Health Conference:
May 18, 2018
Registration is open for the 31st annual Maine Association for Infant Mental Health Conference in Freeport featuring Jayne Singer, PhD. See brochure for details.
Estate Planning Seminar:
May 22, 2018
Washington County Thriving in Place is bringing Rebecca J. Sargent, Esq. of Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent, LLC in Ellsworth, to Machias for a three-hour seminar on Estate Planning Basics. This free event will provide strategies to give caregivers and family members the legal and financial resources to care for loved ones and themselves. Topics include Powers of Attorney, Advanced Care Directives, Wills & Trusts and asset protection. This seminar will be held at the Kay Parker Building of Sunrise Opportunities in Machias from 1 to 4 pm. Register here and share this flyer with friends, colleagues and clients.
Persisting in the Face of Caregiver Difficulties: 
June 5, 2018
FREE Webinar on at 7 pm EDT presented by Janet Edmunson, M.Ed., for family and professional caregivers. Webinar will be approximately 30-40 minutes in length. Register online today by clicking this link.
Maine Geriatrics Conference:
June 14-15, 2018
Early bird registration for the 28th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor begins now through May 1st. CEUs and contact hours from the UNE. Sponsorship funding is available to support community older adults participating in the conference. See the brochurefor descriptions of this year’s exciting workshops, fireside chats and more.
Maine Child Welfare Conference:
June 21, 2018
Save this date for the 24th annual Maine Child Welfare Conference, Navigating Pathways for Families in Recovery, with Keynote speaker, Nancy K. Young, PhD, MSW, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. See flyer for details.
Serial Classes, Groups & Play Dates
Separation & Divorce:
The Washington County CAN Council is holding free parent connection classes for Calais area and Machias area parents:
- Machias Parents: Wednesdays, April 11th — May 30th from 5-7 pm at Sunrise Opportunities/232 Court Street, Machias. See flyer for registration.
Winter Playtime for Tots & Parents:
April 5, 19, 26 and May 3, 2018, Thursdays, 1-2:30 pm
Bring your babies & toddlers to the UMM lower gymnasium for unstructured activity time. Plenty of floor mats and lots of space for running, jumping and playing . See flyer for details.
G.E.A.R. Classes in Machias:
April 6, May 4, and June 1, 2018, 10 am to 12 Noon
Misty Day, Regional Parent Support Coordinator for the G.E.A.R. Parent network, is presenting free Parent Learning & Support classes at MAS in Machias. Read the flyer for information on each class and how to register.
Next Step Calais Support Group:
Beginning in May, 2018
Next Step will be offering a 6 week educational support group in Calais that will meet once a week with the purpose of exploring domestic violence within the context of a relationship. The group will begin at the end of May. Topics will include: How community and cultural supports affect families experiencing DV, effects on children, co-parenting with an abusive ex-partner, coping mechanisms, dating, new relationships, and effects of battering on the victim. See flyer for more information or contact Mary Mitchell at 255-4934 or email mmitchell@nextstepdvproject.org.
SAVVY Caregiver Training:
August 24 – September 28, 2018, Fridays, 2-4 pm
This free course provides skills,knowledge and emotional support to assist informal caregivers who are caring for a family member or friend with dementia. Lisa King will present this 2-hour class each Friday over a 6-week period beginning August 24th at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Machias. See flyer for details and forward to caregivers who could benefit.
Standing Meetings
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. Next meeting is May 2nd from 1 — 3:30 pm at SCEC, with guest speaker Samantha Williams of Bold Coast Yoga. Read the agenda and RSVP to Christine.
Needs & Offers
Family Resource Fair: The CCC & partners are looking for family-serving organizations to participate in a family resource day at Washington County Community College on June 12, 2018 from 12:30 to 5:30 pm. Our goal is to create an event filled with educational opportunities and resources for parents as well as lots of fun activities for the whole family. Read more here where you can fill out a form to participate.
Summer Meals to More Kids: The Maine Department of Education is looking to expand its Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to children 18 and under in Washington County, and throughout the State. We can do this a number of ways:
- Provide outreach and advertising for sites and sponsors to increase participation at existing sites (see list of sponsor sites)
- Find the pockets of congregating kids in the summer throughout the county and locate a nearby sponsor and enquire about sateliting meals to these areas (thus creating new sites!)
- Find nonprofit organizations, municipalities and or tribal organizations that are willing to become a sponsor for Summer Meals and coordinate their own meal sites
Sponsor responsibilities include:
- Attend a Maine DOE sponsored training on the Summer Food Service Program ( April 25th 2018)
- locating eligible areas for meal sites
- Supervise staff and volunteers
- Monitor sites
- Prepare claims for reimbursement
- Make sure food being served meets the applicable meal pattern
The Summer Food Service Program offers three different reimbursement rates depending on what type or meals or meals you wish to offer. Contact Kaitlin Fayle for more information.
Help a Teenager, Help Yourself: Repairing steps, installing railings and handicapped access, winterization, fixing leaky roofs, walls and windows, are all part of the mission of All Souls Students in Service to Jesus Christ. In preparation for this summer’s mission, prospective homeowners are asked to submit a copy of the application found either at Bangor City Hall or Eastport Labor of Love, 137 County Road. Sponsored by All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor and the Greater Eastport Ecumenical Churches Association. Visit Eastport Labor of Love to learn more.
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