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CCC Wednesday Communique — May 1, 2019

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: Family Futures Downeast: providing quality education; Empowering parents and students; Restoring hope. Apply Today.

Announcements

FFD Substance Use 101: The Community Caring Collaborative has scheduled a free 3-hour training on June 26th, Building Substance Use Informed Practices to Support Families and Students. This training, presented by Abby Frutchey, LADC, CCS, is an introduction (101 version) to substance use and its impacts, and is designed for staff at all levels in Family Futures Downeast partner organizations. Staff from other CCC partner organizations who find this relevant to their work are welcome to attend. Download a flyer for more information. The training will be held from 9 am to 12 noon in Science 102 at the University of Maine, Machias, with a Zoom connection from the multimedia room at Washington County Community College.  Register here.

For the Love of Fido – Older Adults and Pets: The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging invites you to a webinar on Tuesday, May 28th from 12 — 1:30 pm to hear from programs that help older adults enjoy their pets and that bring older adults and pets together.  Psychological and physical health benefits of animals for older adults include decreased loneliness and depression, improved cardiovascular health, and increased physical activity. There is mounting evidence supporting the therapeutic psychological and physical health benefits of animals in the lives of older adults. However, there are barriers to personal pet ownership. Some challenges are the cost of food and care, the need to transport a pet to vet appointments, and the physical demands of caring for a pet. There are many ways older folks can connect with animals, in addition to owning personal pets. Older people volunteer at animal shelters, walk dogs, provide respite care, and become a part of a certified therapy-animal team. Join us to learn more about these programs in northern New England.
Presenters:
•    Meredith Anderson, Manager of Information and Referral, Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging
•    Jerilee Zezula, Executive Director, ElderPet 
Register here.

New Circle of Parent groups: See Washington County CAN Council’s new Circle of Parent groups under the Serial Classes & Groups 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

This is where we post updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation.

Maine Work Credit: (from Kate Brennan of Maine Equal Justice Partners)
The Maine Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, boosts incomes for hardworking Mainers with low-to moderate incomes and it helps make our tax code a little fairer to the families and individuals who don’t benefit as much as the wealthiest do from recent state and federal income tax cuts. Maine can build on the success of its EITC to help even more Mainers get ahead. This session, the Legislature will consider a proposal to expand and modernize Maine’s EITC. The bill, LD 1491, would  also provide credits to hard working, low-income students and caregivers who don’t currently qualify. And it would allow Mainers to receive tax credits in installments throughout the year to help cover basic expenses. You can learn a lot more about the bill right here.

Could you benefit from an expansion of the state EITC? A good indicator is whether or not you qualify for the federal credit. Try this simple two-minute quiz to see if you do. 

One-Time Events  

Maine Association for Infant Mental Health Conference: 
May10, 2019
Save the date for “A New Look at Mindfulness in Our Work with Families” — the 32nd annual conference at the downtown Freeport Hilton Garden Inn. Michael Trout, M.A. is the featured speaker.  Details in conference brochure.   Please contact Debra Nugent Johnston with any questions at DebraNJ@aol.com.

Wisdom Inquiry:
May 14, 2019
Engaging Communities Though Social and Print Media is another in the “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry”  webinar series organized by the Tri-State Learning Collborative on Aging. Join us from 12 – 1 pm to focus on engaging communities through social and print media. We are thrilled to have hosts Denise Plante, coordinator of Age-Friendly Jackman, Nancy Davis, President of Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative, and Vivian Winterhoff and Mary Secor, from Organized Acts of Kindness for Seniors in NH. They will host the conversation about successes and challenges of using social and print media to engage the community. Share ideas that have worked in your community to increase community engagement and to glean ideas from other lifelong community leaders!  Register here.

Elder Abuse Summit:
May 16, 2019
The 2019 Elder Abuse Summit will be held on May 16th from 9:30 am — 4:15 pm at the Augusta Civic Center. Cost of attendance is $45 (limited scholarships available upon request).  This is a day-long, multidisciplinary event for professionals working to prevent, detect, and respond to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The day will include presentations from local and international experts in the field (see Summit Agenda and read speaker bios).  Contact and registration information here.

True Senior Prom: 
May 19, 2019
Washington County activities directors invite staff in assisted living and nursing homes to bring their residents to the “True Senior Prom” – a special afternoon event on May 19th from 2-4 pm in the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium.  Elders living at home are also invited to attend this free activity (donations welcome). Join us for music, dancing, finger food & punch and all the fun of a prom, including a drawing for Prom King & Queen!  Formal attire welcome. Download this flyer for more information. RSVP to Christine at claurel@cccmaine.org.  This event is supported by Washington County Thriving in Place, an initiative funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation.

MCH & Substance Exposed Infant Conference:
May 22 & 23, 2019
DHHS’s Maternal and Child Health & Substance Exposed Infant Conference, Building Pathways of Hope and Success, at  Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.  Registration is currently closed but you can sign up for the waiting list. This two day conference is an educational opportunity for clinicians, medical and social service providers, prevention professionals, public health professionals, behavioral health professionals, community members, parents, and others to discuss strategies to optimize maternal and child health. The presenters each day will provide a host of information related to Health Equity, Trauma Informed Care, Eat Sleep Console, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Maternal Depression, Prenatal Substance Exposure, and the many resources available to this population at large.

For the Love of Fido – Older Adults and Pets: 
May 28, 2019
The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging invites you to a webinar on Tuesday, May 28th from 12 — 1:30 pm to hear from programs that help older adults enjoy their pets and that bring older adults and pets together. There is mounting evidence supporting the therapeutic psychological and physical health benefits of animals in the lives of older adults. However, there are barriers to personal pet ownership. There are many ways older folks can connect with animals, in addition to owning personal pets. Older people volunteer at animal shelters, walk dogs, provide respite care, and become a part of a certified therapy-animal team. Join us to learn more about these programs in northern New England.
Presenters:
•    Meredith Anderson, Manager of Information and Referral, Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging
•    Jerilee Zezula, Executive Director, ElderPet 
Register here.

Lesson’s Learned from Maine’s Lifelong Communities Movement: 
May 30, 2019
Save the date for this special learning and networking event specifically designed for lifelong communities initiatives including Age-Friendly Communities, village models, and independent lifelong community planning efforts, sponsored by the University of Maine Center on Aging in partnership with the Maine Community Foundation at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor, 10:30 am — 4:30 pm.  Details in this flyer.  Full Program will be announced shortly, but registration is already open.

MRBN Conference Save the Date:
May 30, 2019
The Maine Resilience Building Network will offer a one-day conference, Building Resilience Across the Lifespan. Sessions will include: The Social Emotional Learning; Cool Calm Kids, Poverty and Resilience: Surviving to Thriving and Grandparents as Caregivers: Realities and Resources. Visit our events page on the MRBN website for updates. Registration will open soon. Free to MRBN members! Space will be limited.

Hot Topics in Employment: 
June 11, 2019
The law firm of Rudman & Winchell will present a lunch & learn on three of the hottest topics facing employers in employment law: drug use; sexual and other prohibited harassment; and workplace accommodation.  Washington County Community College is hosting this event from 11:00 to 1:30 in the Assembly Room. Download a flyer for more information. Reserve your seat by contacting Dawn Spinney at dspinney@rudmanwinchell.com or 207.992.2302.

Maine Geriatrics Conference: 
June 13-14, 2019
Early Bird registration ends May 1st for the 29th annual Maine Geriatrics Conference “where policy meets practice,” at the Harborside Hotel, Bar Harbor.  Speaker lineup includes:

  • Wendy Lustbader, MSW, University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, WA.
  • Toni Miles, MD, PhD, University of Georgia, Athens
  • Lewis A. Lipsitz, MD, Institute for Aging Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Boston, MA
  • Mikhail Kogan, MD, George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine, Washington, DC

Details in this brochure and class schedule with descriptions.

FFD Substance Use 101:
June 26, 2019
The Community Caring Collaborative has scheduled a free 3-hour training on Building Substance Use Informed Practices to Support Families and Students. This training, presented by Abby Frutchey, LADC, CCS, is an introduction (101 version) to substance use and its impacts, and is designed for staff at all levels in Family Futures Downeast partner organizations. Staff from other CCC partner organizations who find this relevant to their work are welcome to attend. Download a flyer for more information. The training will be held from 9 am to 12 noon in Science 102 at the University of Maine, Machias, with a Zoom connection from the multimedia room at Washington County Community College.  Register here.

Donna Beegle’s Poverty Institute:
July 9-10, 2019
The intensive two-day Beegle Poverty Immersion Institute is coming to the University of New England in Portland, Maine this summer. This institute is presented by Dr. Donna M. Beegle, an authentic poverty expert who has been inspiring and educating individuals, organizations, politicians, and entire communities for over 30 years with proven models that make a real difference. For more information visit Poverty Immersion Institute.

Donna Beegle’s Coaching Institute:
July 11-12, 2019
The intensive two-day Beegle Coaching Institute is coming to the University of New England in Portland, Maine this summer.  This institute is presented by Dr. Donna M. Beegle, an authentic poverty expert who has been inspiring and educating individuals, organizations, politicians, and entire communities for over 30 years with proven models that make a real difference. For more information visit Coaching Institute (registration not open yet, but check back soon).

Innovations in Dementia Care: 
October 28, 2019 (revised date)
Save this date for the Fourteenth Annual University of Maine Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium, 8 am-4 pm at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine. Orono, ME. Anticipated topics include:

  • Population Health, Prevention, Genetics, Risk, & Resilience
  • Environments of Care
  • Screening & Diagnosis
  • Dementia & Driving
  • Caring for the Caregiver
  • What is High Quality Dementia Care?

Registration Information Coming Soon.  Details in this flyer.

Serial Classes & Groups  

classes, play groups, support circles and other repeating events

Circle of Parents Playgroup — new groups meeting!

Contact Mandie Pepperman with questions at is 263-5270.

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 one or both!

  •  Part 1: MAT Readiness Academy: June 12, July 10, August 14; 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.  Meetings will be held virtually using an online platform (Zoom)
  • Part 2: MAT Expansion: 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.

Gerontology Course Summer 2019: The UMaine Center on Aging announces a 7-week online course in Gerontology this summer: May 20 through July 10, 2019.   GRN 502: Interprofessional Care of Older Adults in Diverse Settings (3 cr.) GRN 502 is one of 3 online courses in the UMaine Interprofessional Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology. More information on the Certificate Program here.

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.  Text/call Mandie at 263-5270 to sign up.  See flyer for locations and dates.

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  

Monthly and quarterly meetings  

2019 MRBN: Save these dates for Maine Resilience Building Network meetings held at EduCare in Waterville:

  •  May 30, 2019
  •  Sept 26, 2019
  •  October 31, 2019

Washington County Food Pantry Network: Here are the NOTES From the March Meeting on this shared google doc. Apologies for the gaps in the note-taking. The presentations were so interesting! Please fill in if you can update the information.  The network offers technical and infrastructure support and education to all of the county’s pantries as well as to provide an opportunity for pantries to share successes and struggles. Dessert, beverages and gas cards will be provided to all food pantry participants. Meeting dates (Thursdays) and locations for 2019 are as follows:

  • June 6, 1-4 pm at Lubec Community Outreach Center, 44 South St in Lubec (the old high school).  We will update you as to whether internet connection in Lubec can support virtual participation. Conference call in info will be provided.
  • Oct 3,  1-4 pm; Location to be determined.

Questions? Contact Regina Grabrovac at our Machias Healthy Acadia office by phone at 255 3741 or by email at regina@healthyacadia.org

Calais Area Breast Cancer Support Group: meets 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 next meeting is May 1st (download agenda), in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3:00 pm with another 30 minutes for informal networking and discussion. RSVP to Christine.

Needs & Offers 

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

Business advising, workshops and events for women in business: Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) has named Ruth Feldman as Program Director of the Women’s Business Center at CEI with a focus on rural Maine, headquartered at Sunrise County Economic Council in Machias.  Ruth offers free, confidential business advising on:
•    Business plan development
•    Financing options
•    Business skills, such as marketing and financial management
•    Buying or selling a business
•    Workshops and training events on a variety of business issues
•   Opportunities for networking with other business owners, and more.
Contact Ruth at 207-241-5592 or Ruth.Feldman@ceimaine.org

True Senior Prom formal attire needed: Washington County activities directors are looking for donations of gently used formal attire (gowns in larger sizes especially needed) to outfit residents in area assisted living and nursing homes for the“True Senior Prom” – a special afternoon event on May 19th from 2-4 pm in the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium.  Donations may be dropped off at Healthy Acadia’s Machias office, 121 Court Street. This event is supported by Washington County Thriving in Place, an initiative funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation.

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.

FFD now accepting applications for Cohort 4!!  Family Futures Downeast uses a two-generation approach to income eligible families providing services and supports for parents to succeed in college, while their child is assessing high quality early childhood education.  FFD also providing the family with coaching services, barrier removal, tutoring, college preparatory services and so much more. For more information or to request an application visit www.familyfuturesdowneast.org, e-mail familyfutures@sunrisecounty.org or call Jasmine Bassett- Enrollment & Eligibility Assistant at 207-255-0983 ext. 234. Download a flyer to share with colleagues and friends.