Join the CCC on June 3rd from 11:30 — 12:50, immediately before the CCC Work Group, for a lunch and learn presentation by Next Step Community Educator, Cheyenne Robinson-Bauman. Get the basics of domestic violence plus its impacts on families, including how financial tensions can trigger situations of DV, and explore ways of supporting families to address DV. Cheyenne will also discuss best practices for safely communicating with families using social media and other technology. Download a flyer to share. Bring your lunch, we’ll provide beverages and dessert. Sign up by emailing Christine. Participants are welcome to stay for the CCC Work Group meeting following from 1 – 3 pm.
Building Resilience with Hope
The Maine Resilience Building Network, in partnership with UNE’s Center for Excellence in Public Health, invites you to join colleagues from Maine for a one-day conference on HOPE (Healthy Outcomes of Positive Experiences); a framework co-authored by Dr. Robert Sege from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The conference will be held on May 5th at UNE Portland, Innovation Hall. Learn more in the One-Time Events section of this newsletter.
Food 4 All
Washington Academy invites all community members to Food 4 All on 4th Thursdays, February through April, in the Gardner Gymnasium from 3 — 4:30 pm. Bring your shopping bags and pick up complimentary fresh, canned and boxed food. No income restrictions. Download a flyer to share. These events are sponsored by Good Shepherd Food Bank, Healthy Acadia, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Census Jobs – Recruiting Video
More temporary workers are need to conduct the 2020 Census in Washington County. Please share the video below to help recruit more census workers.
2020 Census Jobs – Be A Census Taker (The Benefits)
Updates
Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation
CCC Diaper Drive
Our drive ended on Friday and the collection box in our office was overflowing with donations. Congratulations to Marsha Sloan who won the cozy gift basket drawing, and thanks so much to all who contributed diapers, wipes, hats & mittens for We Care Baby Center. We are so grateful for your help supporting We Care, on whom so many families depend for these essential baby supplies.
One-Time Events
Fairs, trainings, conferences and more in the state of Maine
Opioid Movie Screening and Panel Discussion
February 24, 2020
Join Gordon Smith, Maine’s Director of Opioid Response, on February 24th at USM, Portland, for a screening and panel discussion on the documentary, Recovery in Maine. There will be a Narcan distribution and training following the panel discussion, courtesy of Portland Public Health. Governor Mills is expected to be in attendance. Download a flyer to share.
Mardi Gras Pancake Supper
February 25, 2020
All are invited to a Mardi Gras pancake supper at the Kay Parker building in Machias from 4:30 — 6 30 pm to benefit of Sunrise Opportunities’ Special Olympics program. In addition to pancakes, there will be all sorts of toppings and beverages at this “all you can eat” feast, along with a door prize drawing. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $3 for children. Download a flyer to share.
Making Census 2020 Count in Your Community Webinar
February 25, 2020
Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging Tuesday, February 25th, from 12–1:30 pm to hear from US Census 2020 partnership specialists from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. They will explain how Census 2020 is working in our region to make sure the count is as accurate as possible and to make sure people are protected from fraud. The findings of Census 2020 can increase opportunities for older people to have a good life, access to needed health care, and services we need to live our best lives. Join us to learn how age-friendly organizations and lifelong communities can do their part to protect people from fraud and make sure that everyone is counted. Presenters:
• Becky Boober, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census 2020
• Thomas Simmons, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census 2020
• Nicole Mckenzie, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census 2020
Brown Bag Lunch on WIC
March 4, 2020
Join the CCC on Wednesday, March 4th from 11:30 — 12:45 in the large conference room at SCEC for a brown bag lunch presentation by WIC director Tawney Jacobs. Learn the ins and outs of this special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants & children. Bring your questions and your lunch. We’ll provide beverages and dessert. RSVP to Christine. Download a flyer to share and post in your office.
Poverty 101: bias, barriers and brain science
March 10, 2020
The CCC is excited to present a no-cost, thought-provoking, interactive training geared for CCC partners on March 10th from 9 am to 3:30 pm in the training room at Kay Parker, Machias. This training equates to Family Futures Downeast Poverty 101: the Impacts of Poverty on Students and Families and will include a poverty simulator exercise, the effects of cortisol and toxic stress on brain development, exploring bias, and a conversation on scarcity and bandwidth. CCC staff will be presenting this training with special guest, Nicole Witherbee, Chief Program Officer with the John T. Gorman Foundation, who will discuss benefits cliffs and provide data on poverty and how foundations seek to effect change. The day will wrap up with a panel of parents sharing their experiences with barriers and supports that make a difference in pursuing post-secondary education. Lunch will be provided. Please arrive early to check in and get situated (morning refreshments will be provided). CEUs will be available for $5 from UMM; all participants will receive a certificate for 6 contact hours. Register here for the waiting list by March 3rd. Download a flyer to share.
The State of the Long-Term Supports in Northern New England
March 10, 2020
On Tuesday, March 10 from 12:00-1:00, thought leaders from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine will discuss the state of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) in northern New England in a fire side chat webinar, sponsored by the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging. Details and registration here.
Aging in Maine: Best Practices and Nursing Leadership
March 11, 2020
Registration is now open for the 19th Annual Maine Nursing Summit: Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
at the Augusta Civic Center. The event, put on by OMNE Nursing Leaders of Maine, is a one day educational program that brings together nurse leaders, front line nurses and educators to promote, and evolve the professional practice of nursing in Maine with a focus this year around Nursing Leadership. Details and registration here.
G.E.A.R. It Takes a Village! Collaborative Conference
March 14, 2020
The G.E.A.R. Parent Network and Maine Parent Federation are partnering to bring you a FREE daylong conference for Parents and Youth on Saturday, March 14th, 2020, 9 am — 4 pm at the Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street, Augusta.
This year’s conference topic is Peer Support – It Takes a Village! Come and learn about parent and youth peer supports and how you can benefit from receiving these free services available in our state! Also learn how parents and youth can become peer mentors themselves. Download this flyer for details and registration.
Play Therapy Roundtable Retreat
March 27-28, 2020
By the Sea Seminars (APT Provider 04-144) invites you to a play therapy roundtable retreat on March 27-28th at Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center, Saco, ME. This year’s Roundtable retreat is a great opportunity to not only earn play therapy CE’s, but to learn with other child therapists. This year we will be exploring play therapy supervision, ethics, and yoga, meditation and mindfulness in child sessions. Come learn, rest and play! Workshop Details and Registration here.
Tobacco Prevention Brown Bag Lunch
April 1, 2020
The CCC invites you to a brown bag lunch on April 1st from 11:30 — 12:50 at SCEC with staff from Healthy Acadia. Katie Sell and Georgie Kendall will present a non-clinical outreach training on tobacco prevention, including an overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping). RSVP to Christine. Download a flyer for details.
WCCP Dental Clinic
April 27-May 2, 2020
The Dental Program of Sunrise Opportunities is once again partnering with New York University College of Dentistry outreach program to hold a free dental clinic for children and adults at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias the week of April 27th through May 2nd. Visit Sunrise Opportunities’ website for the complete schedule or download this flyer.
Dental Clinic Conversation
April 28, 2020
The CCC invites partners and community members to a conversation with NYU Dental School students on April 28th from 12 — 1 pm in the large conference room at Sunrise County Economic Center. The students will be volunteering at Sunrise Opportunities’ Dental Clinic from April 27th through May 2nd and would like to have a conversation with local providers and community members about health and potential barriers to health in Washington county. If you would like to be a part of this conversation, please RSVP to Christine.
Building Resilience with Hope
May 5, 2020
The Maine Resilience Building Network, in partnership with UNE’s Center for Excellence in Public Health, invites you to join colleagues from Maine for a one-day conference on HOPE (Healthy Outcomes of Positive Experiences); a framework co-authored by Dr. Robert Sege from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The conference will be held on May 5th at UNE Portland, Innovation Hall. This daylong session will leave participants, from trainee to experienced practitioners, with new approaches and concrete skills to improve the effectiveness of their work with young children and their families. All professionals are invited to attend: social workers, public health and healthcare professionals, guidance counselors, educators, child and family advocates, therapists, behavioral health professionals, policy makers and public safety officers. Education credit for this program is pending. Registration Fees: $75 member, $150 non-member, $30 full-time student. Details and link to register here.
DV Training for Mental Health Care Professionals
May 7 & 8, 2020
Next Step is presenting 2 days of domestic violence training for licensed social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and psychologists in need of meeting the 2020 mandates for domestic violence training — May 7th & 8th in Machias (location tba). See flyer for details. Contact Cheyenne Robinson-Bauman with questions and to register.
2020 Care Partner Summit
May 16, 2020
Registration is now open for the third international bilingual 2020 Care Partner Summit | Cumbre Para Cuidadores. Join in from anywhere in the world on May 16, 2020 as we celebrate all care partners! The Summit is designed with care partners in mind and is recommended for anyone caring for someone living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), including spouses, partners, adult children or friends. The event will be recorded and broadcast in English and Spanish live from Miami, FL. All presentations will be livestreamed to Parkinson’s Foundation viewing parties, taking place around the country. Every session features an expert speaker on topics chosen by a committee of current and former care partners. This year, the theme is “Planning for the Unpredictable Path of Parkinson’s Caregiving.” Register here.
Impacts of Domestic Violence on Families
June 3, 2020
Join the CCC on June 3rd from 11:30 — 12:50, immediately before the CCC Work Group, for a lunch and learn presentation by Next Step Community Educator, Cheyenne Robinson-Bauman. Get the basics of domestic violence plus its impacts on families, including how financial tensions can trigger situations of DV, and explore ways of supporting families to address DV. Cheyenne will also discuss best practices for safely communicating with families using social media and other technology. Download a flyer to share. Bring your lunch, we’ll provide beverages and dessert. Sign up by emailing Christine. Participants are welcome to stay for the CCC Work Group meeting following from 1 – 3 pm.
Maine Geriatrics Conference
June 11 &12, 2020
Registration is now open for the 30th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference in Bar Harbor where Policy meets Practice. Download the full conference brochure and the conference schedule with detailed descriptions. Don’t delay — Early Bird registration ends April 30th.
Maine Wisdom Summit
September 16, 2020
Save the date of September 16, 2020 for the Maine Wisdom Summit with keynote Speaker, Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging. Kathy has a deep expertise in the areas of aging, long-term care, disability, elder abuse, health care, and community service innovation. She will offer participants a national perspective on health and community reform efforts and partnerships that are working to increase the health and well-being of older people. We are thrilled to have her join us this year! Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Summit. Register to exhibit or be a sponsor here, or email/phone jmaurer@mainecouncilonaging.org /207-592-9972 for more information.
Classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events
Certificate in Grandfamilies Leadership program
The University of Maine Center on Aging is pleased to once again offer an online certicate program for professionals and volunteers who work with grandfamily caregivers. The online certificate in Grandfamilies Leadership program provides core education, technical support, and leadership development for professionals delivering grandfamily and kinship programming across the country. Registration is now open but space is limited (first come first served basis), so register now. The course will begin on Monday, February 24th and closes on May 17th. Participants will complete the 9 modules over a 12-week period. Course content has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886480408-1036) for 8 Social Work continuing education contact hours (registration fee is $85). For more information or to register for the Certificate in Grandfamilies Leadership, please visit our website.
Inter-Generational Craft Time
Downeast Rainbow Alliance & UMM’s Omicron Delta Pi are pleased to present Inter-Generational Craft Time to help pass the winter months! Bring your crafts to work on at the Cobscook Friends Meeting House in Trescott on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am – 12 noon January through May. Download a flyer to share.
Recovery Coach Trainings
Healthy Acadia is holding a comprehensive series of recovery coach trainings this winter. See which trainings are right for you (download flyers for details):
Next Step is offering an educational support group starting in January — see flyer. To learn more or to sign up, contact Kelly Brown at 800-315-5579.
New Registration Link & Dates for Cooking Matters for Parents
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Washington County CAN Prevention Council will offer a free six-session nutrition education program to parents and guardians beginning Jan 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the DownEast Recovery Support Center, 11 Free Street, Machias. Classes meet on Mondays through March 2nd with the exception of Jan. 20 and Feb. 17. Cooking Matters for Parents will focus on learning healthy, budget-friendly cooking tips and preparing healthy recipes as a group. Participants will receive ingredients to take home at the end of each class and a cookbook upon completion of the course. Register online. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rita Stephenson, 207-255-3345 or rita.stephenson@maine.edu.
Machias Trans-Only Support Group
When: 4th Sundays (NOT the last Sunday of the month), 2-3:30 pm Where: Health Equity Alliance office, 7 VIP Road, Machias, ME 04654
These meetings are open to trans people only right now (including non-binary and gender non-conforming identities). The meetings are located at Health Equity Alliance office, 7 VIP Road, Machias, ME 04654. Cancellations for this group can be found on the MaineTransNet Facebook page. Questions can be sent to mtn@mainetransnet.org.
Tai Chi for Kidz
Healthy Acadia is offering a Tai Chi for Kidz program to schools — an eight week course (up to one hour per week). See flyer for details.
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. 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.
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.
Monthly and quarterly meetings, agency/initiative calendars at a glance and other meeting schedules
GSFB’s Community Driven Strategies Meeting
The next Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Community Driven Strategies meeting is Thursday, Feb 27 from 3-5 PM at Maine SeaCoast Mission’s Community Center (previously the Weald Bethel Chapel) at Weald Bethel Lane, in Cherryfield. Snow Date: Feb 28 same location and time. Call-in access will be available. Read notes from the January 9th kick-off meeting here. If you have trouble accessing the notes, contact Regina Grabrovac at the Machias Healthy Acadia office by phone at 255 3741 or by email at regina@healthyacadia.org.
Downeast Recovery Support Center Calendars
Download the Calendar of Events for each center for the month of February:
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of regular and special events in communities across Maine, including social events for people with Alzheimer’s and their families and care partners. For a list of events near you, follow this link to their Facebook Events Page.
Maine Resilience Building Network Meeting Schedule
April 29, 2020: with professional development features speakers Sarah Mattox from the Restorative Justice Project and Ryun Anderson, from the Restorative Justice Institute.
July 30, 2020
October 29, 2020
MRBN will continue to hold the quarterly meetings held at Educare Central Maine, Waterville, and will add additional meetings at locations around the State.
Schedule of Downeast Public Health Council Meetings for 2020
March 20, 2020 – location tba
September 18, 2020 – location tba
November 20, 2020 – location tba
Meetings are held from 9 — 11:30 am. Contact Maura Goss for more info.
Supportive Educational Workshops, events and activities are offered FREE to parents/ grandparents/ caregivers/ educators of children with emotional/ behavioral health concerns – download the schedule with descriptions here. Look for Special Events listed in Red print. Pre-registration is recommended, so we may notify you if a workshop is rescheduled or cancelled. Changes will also be posted to our Facebook page. If you are unable to attend in person often workshops are available as a webinar* by GoToMeeting™ with preregistration. Call 1-800-264-9224 with questions.
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.
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. This group meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm. Notes from the February 5th meeting coming soon. Next meeting is March 4th, preceded by a brown bag lunch presentation by Tawney Jacobs from WIC. In the event of snow or ice, we may be offering a Zoom option. See our weather cancellation policy at the end of this newsletter and check our facebook page for the latest on meetings & weather. Send your questions about this meeting to Christine.
Send us your agency/community needs or offers, such as job recruiting
or housing needs.
Food 4 All
Washington Academy invites all community members to Food 4 All on 4th Thursdays, February through April, in the Gardner Gymnasium from 3 — 4:30 pm. Bring your shopping bags and pick up complimentary fresh, canned and boxed food. No income restrictions. Download a flyer to share. These events are sponsored by Good Shepherd Food Bank, Healthy Acadia, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Free Tax Prep with DCP
Downeast Community Partners offers free tax preparation through a partnership with AARP Tax Aide and Eastern Maine CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) available at the following sites:
DCP’s Bucksport Road Office
Mano en Mano, Maple street Milbridge
Appointments maybe made starting in mid-January, with the first appointments occurring in February. For appointments and more information for DCP sites, call 207-664-2424. More information available at DCP’s Website.
Free Tax Prep with United Way
United Way of Eastern Maine is coordinating the Eastern Maine CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Coalition that provides free tax prep and financial literacy services for low- to mid-income individuals and families. If you have clients (or friends!) who you believe could benefit from the service, here’s a link to a list of all confirmed sites. To schedule an appointment, just call the phone number listed for your preferred site. Download a flyer to share.
Virtual Tax prep Volunteers Needed!
United Way of Eastern Maine is looking for virtual tax prep volunteers – a unique opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of folks in your community… and you don’t even have to leave your house! Complete tax returns online from home on your own schedule, any time, day or night! We provide 100% of the training and there is no minimum number of returns required to participate. We would love to have you join our group of volunteers! We are having an in person training in the weeks to come. Training is also available virtually. Please contact Elizabeth at ElizabethL@UnitedWayEM.org for more information.
Peer Support Specialist in Machias
Community Health & Counseling Services is seeking a part-time peer support specialist for the Machias office. Applicants must have personally experienced mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder and either have or be working toward a CIPPS certification. Full job description and application form here.
Census 2020 – FAQs
The CCC is part of the Washington County Census Coalition working with the Census Bureau to help recruit temporary Census workers and to encourage everyone in Washington County to be counted so our Census data is as accurate as possible. We depend on this data for reporting, grant writing, promoting programs and services, and many other projects, and the data itself directly corresponds to how much federal dollars our schools, programs and services receive. Please share this 2020 Census FAQ fact sheet with partners, colleagues and clients, along with this safety fact sheet on how Census data received from respondents is safe and confidential. Did you know that every Census Bureau employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life? Or did you know that by law, your census responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way? Learn the facts and share them!
Census Workers Needed!
The 2020 Census needs full-time and part-time workers from about April to September. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to have some control over where their tax dollars go and earn some extra money as well. Income from the census will not be counted toward any type of low-income benefits for the State of Maine, such as Food Stamps, Tanf, MaineCare, LIHEAP and WIC. If you are looking for some extra $, this is a short-term opportunity to make some extra cash whether you are on disability, are low income, fixed social security, etc. The Enumerator wage is $20/hr with mileage reimbursement of .58/mile. Hours are flexible and training is paid. Full- time or part-time hours are completely up to the individual. If you know of any individuals that would benefit from this opportunity, please send them to 2020census.gov/jobs. Help is available to apply through the FedCap offices in Calais and Machias over the next two months to help folks apply and hiring ends on March 3.
Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator
The Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has volunteer positions available for people interested in supporting those navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in your community. Details in this flyer. Contact Alison Russell, manager of education and volunteers, with questions.
Financial Coaching Survey
Although Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) financial coaching services ended last year, the Bureau still intends to continue supporting the growth of this field with technical assistance and research that furthers our understanding of coaching’s impact. As part of this effort, CFPB is seeking to better understand the challenges faced by organizations providing this service. If you have referred or worked with someone using the services of a CFPB financial coach, please take a few minutes of your time to complete a short survey on your experiences. This survey has been designed with the specific experience of a community partner in mind and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your responses will be anonymous and cannot be connected to you, your organization, or the coach connected with your community. If you are able to participate, please follow this link.
CCC Diaper Drive
CCC is running a diaper drive to benefit We Care Baby Center: from now until Valentine’s Day, make a donation of diapers (sizes 4 & 5 especially needed), wipes, or new hats & mittens in the CCC office and enter your name & phone number for a drawing to win a basket of cozy, household goodies.
Hope & Dream Funds
The CCC Dream Fund is open! This legacy of Marjorie Withers provides financial assistance to youth 5-18 years old to pursue their interest in something that gives them joy and may be beyond the financial capacity of their family. CCC partner providers fill out the dream fund application with the family. Instructions and application form are available on the Dream Fund page of the CCC website.
The CCC Hope Fund is now open. Providers can download an application on the Hope Fund page of 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.
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 here.
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.
With winter comes snow and ice, making driving hazardous. The Community Caring Collaborative always puts participant safety first, so when considering whether to attend a CCC event during iffy weather, play it safe. If there’s a Zoom option, take it! Our policy is to follow the school district’s closing/delay decisions in the locale of the event. For meetings and trainings in Machias, AOS 96 is the school district. If the school is closed, we will cancel our event. If the school is delayed, we will delay a morning event by 2 hours and hold an afternoon event. If there is an early dismissal, we will cancel afternoon events. You can always consult our facebook page for the event in question where we will announce any cancellations or delays.
About the Wednesday Communique
This is the Community Caring Collaborative’s weekly newsletter 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 One-Time Events section, and job postings and other items of interest in the Announcements section. Subscribe hereto 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!
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
