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!

Charley Martin-Berry, Community Caring Collaborative Executive Director – Sunrise County Economic Council Ambassador of the Year award recipient — with Charles Rudelitch, SCEC Executive Director. This award was conferred at SCEC’s November 8th Economic Summit. Read more about this event in the Updates section of this newsletter.

New this Week

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.

Hope Fund Closes; will re-open in February

The Hope Fund Committee has paid out the maximum amount of funds in awards for the current Hope Fund trimester and is no longer accepting applications. The Hope Fund will resume in February, 2020. We will keep you posted.

Family Gifts From the Kitchen at Porter Memorial Library

Tuesdays 4:00 – 4:45pm, December 3, 10, and 17
Porter Memorial Library, 92 Court St, Machias

Families, come join the Cooperative Extension at Porter Memorial Library to make edible gifts to give over the holidays and learn some healthy eating tips. Jars, ingredients, and samples will be provided. Mixes will include: Oatmeal Raisin Muffins, Alphabet Soup, and Homemade Granola. Families who attend all 3 sessions will receive a gift bag on the last day. Children must be accompanied by adults. Pre-registration is required. Register online, in person at the library, or by phone. To register or request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rita Stephenson, 255.3345; rita.stephenson@maine.edu.

Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser — order by Thursday 11/21

UMM’s Family Futures Downeast Program (FFD) is partnering with the Downeast Recovery Support Center for this fundraiser. Students from the PSY 102 class will be baking the pies to order on November 23rd and will be delivering from then until the 27th. Place your order for a homemade apple or pumpkin pie – $15 each – until Thursday, November 21, 2019. Contact: jessica.a.harrison@maine.edu to place your order – thank you! Share this flyer with friends.

Heroin(e) Documentary Screening followed by Narcan Training

Join the Downeast Recovery Support Center, Healthy Acadia and the CCC in Calais (311 Main Street) at 5:30 pm on December 3rd for a free screening and panel discussion about the award winning documentary, Heroin(e), and our community’s response to the opioid epidemic. Participants are invited to stay for a free Narcan training following the discussion. Refreshments will be served. This documentary is presented by Points North Institute, the State of Maine and Marshall Communications. Please share this flyer.

Become an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator

The Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association invites you to become a volunteer community educator to help bring additional means of education, care, and support to your communities for those navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We welcome you to learn more about the position and joining our amazing team of volunteers. Please visit our website to apply at volunteer.alz.org. Our application and training process is hosted on this site to make training more accessible and time efficient. Contact Alison Russell, Manager of Education and Community Volunteers, at 207-772-0115 x 9692 or alirussell@alz.org with questions.

WindowDressers Workshop at Machias Savings Bank

350 Downeast and Machias Savings Bank are offering a WindowDresser workshop, December 5-10th, at the Edward L. Hennessey Jr. Training Center, Machias Savings Bank, 1 Colonial Way, Machias. WindowDresser volunteers will help community members assemble insulating window inserts to cut heating costs. Each insulating window insert is made of a custom-made frame wrapped in two layers of tightly-sealed, clear polyolefin film and finished with a compressible foam gasket that allows the inserts to be easily slid into place in the fall and removed in the spring. Inserts are free to low-income households. Anyone interested in more information, to schedule an appointment, or to volunteer to work at the workshop can go to the WindowDressers website or contact Mark Brown at Dr.MaineBlackfly@gmail.com.

Learn about new Medicare Coverage available in 2020

Licensed Medicare Specialst, Renata Lahner, a consultant with L3 Benefits Consultants, is offering free appointments to anyone interested in learning more about the expanded coverages available under Medicare for eligible Maine residents beginning in 2020. Enrollment ends December 7th so don’t delay. You could be eligible for hearing aids, dental, vision and home health visits. Contact Renata at 207-706-6477 or renatalahner@l3bc.com.

Caregiver Survey

The Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine is helping the State of Maine with its needs assessment as part of Maine’s State Plan on Aging under the Older Americans Act. As part of that, an on-line caregiver survey is being conducted. Maine wants to improve services that support older adults to live in our homes and in our communities as long as possible. As part of this, Maine wants to hear from you if you provide any kind of help or care to an older adult or an adult with a disability or if you are an older person who has primary responsibility for the care of a grandchild or other relative under the age of 18. This includes unpaid caregivers as well as caregivers who are paid to provide help to a relative or friend. This statewide survey is being conducted by the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine (USM) on behalf of Maine’s Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS). While the survey is voluntary, the findings will help the State and its community partners focus on the areas that are of greatest concern to you and other caregivers in Maine. Information about this survey, including a link to the survey, is also on the OADS’ website. Please feel free to share this survey with other people or organizations who might be interested. Thank you!

To begin the survey, click here

Updates

Updates on programs, research, initiatives and pending legislation

SCEC Economic Summit a huge success!

Sunrise County Economic Council held an economic summit for Washington County “Where we are now and where we are going next” on November 8th at the Cobscook Community Learning Center convening nearly 100 participants. Nicholas Chiumenti, Policy Analyst, New England Public Policy Center, gave the keynote address and Charles Rudelitch, SCEC Executive Director, presented key demographic and economic factors facing Washington County and their current trends.

Rudelitch said the SCEC is preparing to create its next five year strategic plan, and structured the summit to gather feedback, and guide a community conversation about key issues. The summit offered six breakout sessions: Traditional Industries in Transition, which focused on forest products and wild blueberries; Higher Education; The Future of Our Fisheries; Healthcare in Washington County; Recovery Workforce; and New Mainers, New Neighbors, which examined the impacts of an aging population and scant labor force. [excerpt from MVNO article by by Sarah Craighead Dedmon]

Washington County Community College — SCEC Partner of the Year award recipient. L to R: Charles Rudelitch – SCEC Executive Director; Susan Mingo – WCCC President; Nichole Sawyer – Dean of Business and Industry.

Recovery & Employment Panelists at SCEC’s Economic Summit. L to R: Jen Peters – Panel Facilitator; Brian Frutchey – CO for the “By Us” Company; Abby Frutchey – Substance Use Response Coordinator for the CCC; Joanna Russell – Executive Director for Northeastern Workforce Development Board

One-Time Events

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

Supporting Aging in Place Programs: The Role of Community Health Workers
November 21, 2019

Harvard University National Center for Equitable Care for Elders is holding a webinar on this topic on November 21 from 2-3 pm. This webinar will review the common health needs of older adults as they age in place, and explain the value of implementing CHW-led Aging in Place programs. After participating in this webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand common health concerns for community-dwelling older adults
Understand the Community Health Worker (CHW) role within Aging in Place programs
Identify strategies for building partnerships to promote and facilitate healthy aging in communities

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.

Managing Stress During the Holidays Workshop/Webinar

November 23, 2019

The G.E.A.R. Parent Network is offering “Managing Stress During the Holidays” presented by Shannan Boyorak, Regional Parent Support Coordinator, on Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Blue Hill Library, 5 Parker Point Rd. Blue Hill. Note that this is a date change from the date on the original quarterly flyer that was sent. If you can’t make it in person this workshop is also being offered via webinar. Join us and learn a few simple tips you could try to help reduce holiday stress before it begins so that it remains at a positive level rather than an overwhelming one.

Machias Downeast Recovery Center Thanksgiving
November 23, 2019

Saturday, 11/23 from 3-6 pm — Thanksgiving Potluck. No cost to attend and all are welcome. If you can bring a side dish for the dinner it would be greatly appreciated. Any questions, contact Marshall Mercer at our Machias Center. DRSC will provide the turkey for both dinners, but encourage attendees to bring side dishes or desserts if possible.

Calais Downeast Recovery Center Friendsgiving
November 24, 2019

Sunday, 11/24 at 1 pm will be the 1st annual Friendsgiving. Side dishes or desserts are needed. Any questions, contact Amy Day. DRSC will provide the turkey for both dinners, but encourage attendees to bring side dishes or desserts if possible.

Heroin(e) Documentary Screening followed by Narcan Training
December 3, 2019

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.

Isolation: Innovative Ideas from Northern New England

December 17, 2019

Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on December 17, 12-1 pm, for an “Ideas & Experience Exchange: Wisdom Inquiry” webinar that focuses on isolation. The format will be a little different from some of our other webinars. This month we are celebrating those innovative ideas that encourage people to enjoy social participation, especially during the winter months when getting out can be challenging. We will be “seeding” the conversation with several “kernels of corn” that are already popping in northern New England. Each community will briefly share what they are doing to spark other ideas in peer communities. Join us to hear these innovative ideas and come prepared to share ideas that are working for your community. By sharing, you will help other communities pop. Learn more and register here

Starting Over: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
January 21, 2020

Join the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 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

WindowDressers Workshop at Machias Savings Bank

Family Gifts From the Kitchen at Porter Memorial Library

Tuesdays 4:00 – 4:45pm, December 3, 10, and 17
Porter Memorial Library, 92 Court St, Machias

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. 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 or download the Machias and Calais calendars in MS Word. 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. Read notes to the October meeting here. November notes coming soon. Work Group will not meet officially in December as the first Wednesday, December 4th, is CCC Vision Day at the Cobscook Community Learning Center. We encourage all Work Group members to attend vision day — read more about it here. Mark your calendars for the next Work Group meeting on January 8th in the large conference room at SCEC, 7 Ames Way, Machias, from 1 — 3 pm. While we usually meet on the first Wednesday of the month, this January the first Wednesday is New Year’s Day! Send your questions to Christine.

Needs & Offers

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

Caregiver Survey

Learn about new Medicare Coverage available in 2020

Become an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator

Hope Fund Closes; will re-open in February

The Hope Fund Committee has paid out the maximum amount of funds in awards for the current Hope Fund trimester and is no longer accepting applications. The Hope Fund will resume in February, 2020.

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.

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.

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 Abby Frutchey

CCC Wednesday Communique — November 20, 2019