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All ACAP Programs and Services will be closed on Monday, December 26.

There will be no Weekly Briefing issued next week - the week of December 26, 2022.

ACAP LEADER JOINS WITH CAP COLLEAGUES IN VIRGINIA AND

NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP TEAM TO PRESENT ON

WHOLE FAMILY SUCCESS TO STAFF OF U.S. SENATOR TIM KAINE OF VIRGINIA

ACAP CEO Jason Parent last week presented virtually to staff from the Office of United States Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia on ACAP and the State of Maine Community Action Network's efforts to adopt a Whole Family or Two Generation Approach. The meeting was coordinated and led by Kevin Otey, Chief Operating Officer at Hampton Roads Community Action Program in Newport News, Virginia and attended by the head of the Virginia Community Action Association, as well as leaders with the National Community Action Partnership from Washington, DC. In addition to talking about Whole Family Work in both Maine and Virginia, the group talked about the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, a piece of legislation before Congress co-sponsored by Maine's own U.S. Senator Susan Collins and her New Mexico counterpart Senator Martin Heinrich. If enacted, the legislation would streamline federal programs to better support a comprehensive or Whole Family Approach to help families become more economically and socially mobile.

AS THE YEAR COMES TO END, CONSIDER YOUR END OF YEAR GIFT -

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

ACAP has partnered with Versant Power for Power Match, a charitable matching program that will provide electrical bill credits to customers in need. Versant Power has agreed to match all donations up to $200,000 and has provided an additional $60,000 seed fund to begin helping their customers immediately. 

Power Match will be facilitated and administered through community action programs in Versant Power’s service areas. These programs include ACAP, Penquis, and Downeast Community Partners (DCP). Of the $60,000 seed fund, each community action agency has received $20,000. The matching fund amount of $200,000 will be distributed amongst the three agencies as donations received through their individual donation portals.

“We are grateful to Versant Power for stepping forward with this much needed support for the most vulnerable members of our community at a time when the need is greatest. Additionally, their challenge will help inspire others to contribute with the knowledge that their donation will be matched and help us to assist more households County-wide,” said Jason Parent, ACAP Executive Director/CEO. “Partnerships, such as this one with a leading community business, are critical to helping us meet the unmet needs that have grown exponentially in the current economic climate.” Read More...

PRESQUE ISLE ROTARY CLUB DONATES TO COMMUNITY CUPBOARD

Tamma Dumais; Club Member and Chantal Pelletier, Club President from the Presque Isle Rotary Club deliver food donations made by the club's membership for the Community Cupboard, as well as winter hats and mittens.

BLOOMIN 4 GOOD PROGRAM TO BENEFIT ACAP

ACAP TEAM MEMBERS CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES SPEAK ABOUT THE WORK THEY DO AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVING AROOSTOOK COUNTY PEOPLE ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF ACAP TODAY

Each year ACAP honors team members that reach a Milestone Anniversary year working for ACAP. On this week's ACAP today, Jason chats with three of the team members being honored during this 50th Anniversary year for the Agency: Kathy Williams, 30 years; Rachelle Roy, 25 years; and Jackie Putnam, 25 years. To view this week's edition of ACAP Today, click on the image above.

CENTRAL AROOSTOOK ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS IN ACAP COMMUNITY CLOSET

Individuals and Staff Members; Ray, Rena, Sally, John and Patty from Central Aroostook Association recently spent a morning helping sort and prepare clothing for ACAP's Community Closet. This support is most appreciated as the demand for clothing, especially warm winter clothing and coats, is high at this time.

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR MAINE'S AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE IS FAST APPROACHING ON JANUARY 15,

FREE HEALTH CARE NAVIGATION SERVICES AVAILABLE COUNTYWIDE

ACAP is once again offering navigation assistance for individuals looking for health insurance through Maine's open marketplace. Participants must choose a plan by December 15th for coverage that starts January 1st .CoverME.gov is Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace and the only place to get the financial assistance to make insurance and care more affordable. Open Enrollment runs from November 1st to January 15th - choose a plan today! 

Free local help is available! Contact Lisa Bates at lbates@acap-me.org or Barb Rodriguez at brodriguez@acap-me.org.

More Mainers than ever can qualify for financial Assistance! If you or someone in your family has an offer of insurance through their employer, a new federal rule may affect the financial assistance for which you and your family are eligible. Learn more about how Employer Coverage impacts eligibility. 

The bivalent COVID-19 booster, authorized for children aged 6 months and older, provides more children the opportunity to update their protection against COVID-19. Check out this video and podcast by the American Medical Association’ where experts discuss the expanded recommendations. FMI visit: https://www.ama-assn.org/

COVID .GOV REOPENS - ORDER FREE COVID TESTS NOW!

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise again, the White House is bringing back free at-home COVID test orders as part of their "winter preparedness plan." Each household will be able to request four more free at-home rapid COVID tests from the federal government, with the first tests set to be shipped out by the U.S. Postal Service during the week of December 19. Visit COVIDtest.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).



Maine people may now order free COVID-19 tests once a month through Project Access COVID Tests (Project ACT). Households in Maine may place one order per month through the Project ACT website and receive one free kit of five rapid tests mailed to their home address.

Any Maine resident can visit the Project ACT website, AccessCovidTests.org, to place their order. No payment information is required — both the tests and shipping are free to residents – and the tests will be delivered through Amazon approximately one to two weeks after ordering. The tests require a quick swab inside each nostril, with results available within minutes. Any individual over the age of two can use the tests. As of July 8, 2022, the shelf-life of these rapid antigen tests has been extended from 6 to 12 months.

SUPPORT FOR COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS IS AVAILABLE

Services are available to ensure that Mainers affected by COVID-19 can safely isolate and quarantine. All social services provided are free and will not affect eligibility for other federal or state services/benefits. We can offer to those who qualify:

• Emergency groceries and household supplies to cover the duration of your quarantine or isolation, if needed. (This may be a standardized food box.)
• Help with filing for other assistance programs such as: utility assistance, fuel assistance, MaineCare, etc.
• Masks, cleaning supplies, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and other quarantine items
• Recommendations on how to safely quarantine/isolate at home and how long you should be in quarantine/isolation.
• Assistance finding testing and vaccination and accessing treatments
• Language interpreters and cultural brokers
• Support for stress and anxiety

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENTS HAPPENING COUNTY WIDE

Edgemont Drive, Hope and Prosperity Resource Center, and Powers Place

Milestone Honorees Chastity Holland and Alyssa Levesque

Milestone Honorees Phyllis Howe, Jackie Putnam, Penny Horne and Patrina Clough

Birch Street, Gouldville, and

Presque Isle Techonology Center Teams

Caribou Early Care and Education Center Team

Milestone Honorees Michelle Johndro and Karen Page

ACAP Team Members County-wide are being recognized this month at regional gatherings across Aroostook County. In addition to connecting with employees across the organization, Leadership Team Members are presenting gifts to each employee, and recognizing Team Members in each region who have reached milestone anniversaries of service with ACAP.

JOIN THE ACAP TEAM

ACAP has a dedicated team who work to help keep people warm, safe, and dry in their homes with a variety of programs that offer education or assistance in areas of heating and energy efficiency, home purchase, repair, and assistance for people facing foreclosure or eviction. We assist job seekers with going back to school, or developing skills and help people overcome common barriers that might stand in their way in areas such as transportation and childcare. ACAP is helping to build a stronger, healthier community by collaborating with local and statewide organizations to offer prevention services that focus on nutrition, oral health, substance use, tobacco, obesity and youth engagement. Join the ACAP team and help to make life better in Aroostook County!

THROWBACK SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK...

A Sled Ride for Early Care and Education Program Children was captured in this photograph in 1986

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