ACAP Briefing for the Week of January 24, 2022

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MAINE COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP TO SHARE RESULTS OF

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STATEWIDE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT THIS WEEK

AS ACAP RELEASES AROOSTOOK COUNTY REPORT

Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP) and Maine’s ten Community Action Agencies will release a first-of-its-kind Statewide Community Needs Assessment this Wednesday in Augusta. The press conference, set for 9:30 a.m. on February 26, will take place in the courtyard between the Statehouse and the Cross Office Building. At the same time the statewide release occurs, ACAP will release the needs assessment specific to Aroostook County.

The Community Needs Assessment is a systematic data-driven report that takes a closer look into the behaviors and needs of the residents of Maine. It outlines the top issues facing families and individuals both statewide and in each of the specific regions served by CAP Agencies. Maine is the first state in the nation to successfully complete a statewide community needs assessment and MeCAP is eager to share the findings as community action agencies across the state prepare for the future.

The broad purpose of Maine’s Community Action Programs is to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty. This newly released report describes the fundamental economic challenges facing Mainers. For the first time in MeCAP history, the data and interviews provide a good comparative look at these challenges across the state and up-close issues by region.

The assessment was conducted by MeCAP, in partnership with Crescendo Consulting Group. The 357 page report includes a broad overview of MeCAP and Maine’s ten community action agencies, describes the approaches and methodology used in the report, and identifies themes and high-level action areas. The report prioritizes recommendations for the state as a whole and each individual region. After completing a needs prioritization process, the report identifies the five top statewide needs as:

1. Safe, affordable housing

2. Affordable, quality childcare

3. Ending the cycle of generational poverty

4. Holistic person-centered health care

5. Transportation

The Statewide assessment, as well as a ACAP Agency specific report, can be found on the ACAP Website.

1. Safe, affordable housing

2. Affordable, quality childcare

3. Ending the cycle of generational poverty

4. Holistic person-centered health care

5. Transportation

The Statewide assessment, as well as a ACAP Agency specific report, can be found on the ACAP Website.

SPECIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF ACAP TODAY FEATURES A

CONVERSATION WITH ACAP'S FOUR CEO'S OF THE FIRST FIVE DECADES

This week's special 50th Anniversary edition of ACAP Today features a conversation with the four CEO's who have served ACAP through it's first five decades. Program Host and current Executive Director Jason Parent is joined by his predecessors: Norm Fournier (1974-1987), Brian Thibeau (1988-1995), and Connie Sandstrom (1995-2015). They discuss their memories of ACAP and how things have changed and grown through ACAP's first 50 years.

ACAP PARTNERS WITH PENQUIS TO PROMOTE THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM AND THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER HERE IN THE COUNTY

Through a local partnership in Aroostook County with ACAP, the Penquis Foster Grandparent Program provides a way for volunteers age 55+ to stay active by serving children and youth at schools, nonprofit child care centers and preschools to make a lasting mark on the community. Volunteer Grandparents are role models, mentors and friends to children with exceptional needs, and they receive a tax-free stipend that won’t affect Social Security, SSI, Rent Subsidies, HEAP or any other benefit. For more information, please call 1-800-215-4942 ext. 3611.

STATEWIDE VIRTUAL FORUM ON EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

DURING A PANDEMIC SET FOR THIS THURSDAY AT 6:00 P.M.

ACAP, and a group of County-wide partner organizations working collaboratively, are continuing to get the word out and help connect people to the local vaccine resources.

All individuals age 5 and older are eligible for a free COVID-19 Vaccination.
Vaccinated individuals 12 and older are now eligible to receive a free COVID-19 booster shot

For more information, see this FAQ. To find a booster dose, find a vaccination site or call the Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111.

Also available is the ACAP COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline. This Helpline provides community members unable to access on-line registration sites to locate the vaccination site closest to where they live. ACAP’s Vaccination Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., and can be reached by calling the Agency’s phone number - 207-764-3721. A team of ACAP administrative support professionals staff the helpline. No information (health or otherwise) will be retained by ACAP unless authorized by the caller to explore eligibility for ACAP programs they may be interested in receiving.

Maine Vaccination Sites

FREE AT HOME COVID TESTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING...

Order at home Test

ACAP CONTINUES TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES

TO COUNTY RESIDENTS NEEDING TO ISOLATE OR QUARANTINE

ACAP is reminding the community that it offers local support, including grocery delivery, medication pick-up and other support services at no charge, thanks to a partnership with the Maine Department of Human Services. There are no income guidelines for this program. To request services, click and complete a short application accessed through the button below or the following link: (COVID-19 Community Supports | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov)) or call ACAP at 207-764-3721.

COVID-19 Community Supports

CALLING ALL COUNTY ARTISTS - CONTEST LOOKING FOR PIECES THAT

REFLECT COMMUNITY AND REUNION DURING PANDEMIC

The story below was written by Writer Melissa Lizotte of The County on-line and posted on TheCounty.me on January 24, 2022

The people behind a Maine-based art contest are seeking submissions from Aroostook County artists on themes of community and reunion during the pandemic.

Lights Out Art Consulting, an online-based business, recently launched #MaineReunited, a series of contests aimed at promoting artistic growth in Maine’s most rural counties. The group recently ended a contest in Oxford County and has now set their sights on finding new and established artists in Aroostook.

The contest is open to adults and children, with a deadline of Feb. 18.

Lights Out encourages artists of all media to create works inspired by questions such as, “What does reunion look like to you?”, “How do communities face challenges together?” and “How does a common experience like the pandemic unite us?”

Executive Director Daniel Sipe, a native of Presque Isle, said that opening the contest to adults and children can allow for broader conversations within communities on how people experience isolation differently.

“Both adults and children have been feeling the same lack of community during the pandemic. Art can be a way for parents to talk with their children about why community matters,” Sipe said.

The #MaineReunited Aroostook County Art Contest will award $1,000 prizes in three categories: an Adult Award, Youth Award and People’s Choice Award. All submissions will be featured on the Lights Out Art Consulting Facebook page. Viewers can vote for the People’s Choice Award by liking the post that features their favorite work of art.

Lights Out plans to announce the winners by March 28. All three winners will be featured on the Facebook page with short videos of them explaining their inspirations. Lights Out plans to host a celebration of the award winners in Presque Isle in April, with the exact date and location to be determined.

A full list of contest guidelines can be found on the Lights Out website.

NEW ACAP PROGRAM FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS UNDERGOING CANCER TREATMENT: PROJECT T.E.A.C.H. (TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION, ACCESS, CARE, HOUSING)

IS FEATURED ON WAGM-TV'S AROOSTOOK COMMUNITY MATTERS SERIES

Andrea White, an ACAP Community Educator, is leading a new program called project T.E.A.C.H. (Transportation, Education, Access, Care, Housing), which was made possible through a recent $35,000 grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation to help people battling cancer in Aroostook County. The cost of transportation and lodging for cancer treatment can add up fast, and this program is designed to help with these challenges.

Project T.E.A.C.H. was the featured program in a recent edition of WAGM-TV's Aroostook Community Matters segment. Reporter Corey Bouchard looked at the new program aiming to help with these costs. To view the story, click on the image above.

WHAT IS MCKINNEY-VENTO AND HOW CAN IT HELP AT-RISK YOUTH STAY IN SCHOOL? CHECK OUT THE VIDEOS AND INFORMATION BELOW

2-minute video on McKinney Vento: For Educators

2-minute video on McKinney Vento: For Families

Do you know of families or youth in a temporary living arrangement? Support is available!

Are they doubled up (sharing housing) with relatives or friends, couch surfing, in a transitional housing program, shelter, motel, or a place not considered traditional housing (campground, car, public place)?

If so, encourage them to talk to their school about it. There is a federal program called The McKinney-Vento Program that can help to keep students in the same school, even if they’re staying out of district. Every school district has a McKinney-Vento contact person and you can find your district’s contact here. This program can provide transportation, referrals, free meals, tutoring, school supplies, clothing, and more.

In February, ACAP will dedicate an episode of ACAP Today to help better educate the County community on McKinney-Vento and the services available to families locally. In the meantime, the two short videos (linked above) provide an introduction to both educators and families.

For more information, contact

Amelia Lyons

McKinney-Vento

Maine Department of Education

(207) 557-1787

amelia.lyons@maine.gov

AROOSTOOK CA$H COALITION URGING COUNTY RESIDENTS MAKING $58,000

OR LESS IN 2021 TO SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

The Aroostook CA$H Coalition, sponsored by the County Federal Credit Union, will be preparing taxes, both in person and virtually, from February 1 through April 8, in Presque Isle, Houlton and Fort Kent. Aroostook County residents who need assistance filing their income taxes, and who have a combined household income of $58,000 or less, qualify for the FREE program. Taxes are prepared by IRS trained volunteers. To schedule an appointment and learn more about the scan and go locations in Aroostook County, dial 211.

The Aroostook CA$H Coalition regional efforts are led by the United Way of Aroostook with a number of other collaborating partners, including ACAP and New Ventures Maine.

The Coalition, and plans for the upcoming tax season, were recently featured in a story as part of WAGM-TV's Aroostook Community Matters series. The report can be viewed by clicking on the link in the image above this story. Read More...

Visit CASHMAINE.org

NEW REGIONAL BREAKTHROUGH YOUTH PROGRAM STARTS THIS WEEK

Know anyone ages 14-24 who want to learn new skills to help them into adulthood? Maybe they need some guidance on financial literacy and responsible decision making? Or maybe be looking for a fun community driven atmosphere to help them grow their skills?

Have them join us for ACAP’s new Breakthrough Youth program! Classes are free and start January 26 through MSAD #1 Adult Education, or on February 1 at the Presque Isle Housing Authority community room. Links to register are below! Read More...

ACAP NAVIGATOR PETER DESCHAINE SHARES STORY OF FAMILY HE SERVED WITH FUEL ASSISTANCE AS PART OF SUCCESSFUL STATEWIDE PROJECT HEAT TELETHON

NEWS CENTER Maine held their annual Project Heat telethon in partnership with the United Ways of Maine and Maine Community Action Partnership on Thursday, January 20. A total of $375,310 was raised from some 2766 donors. It is estimated the funds will help to heat more than 1,100 homes in Maine this winter season. As part of the telethon, ACAP's own Peter Deschaine was featured in an interview speaking about an Aroostook County family he helped assist with fuel when they needed it most. Watch the story by clicking on the image below:

COLD TEMPERATURES A REMINDER TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS

TO CONSIDER APPLYING FOR HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE...

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Team members are regularly meeting virtually, and upon request, in-person with customers to take applications for the 2021-2022 heating season. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt normal operations, customers, for the most part, are given the choice of meeting in person or conducting their intake interview over the phone. The intake appointment option is one of a number of changes to this year's HEAP program. Among the others are an expansion of program income guidelines that will allow more County residents to qualify, and the option for customers to connect with a navigator to help determine possible eligibility for other programs, such as rental assistance. Call 207-768-3053 to schedule a HEAP appointment.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps pay rent and utility costs for eligible renters affected by COVID-19 and continues to accept new applicants. ACAP, in addition to Maine's state-wide community action agencies, are running this program across Maine.

Aroostook County residents qualify if they:

Pay rent
Meet the program's income guidelines
Have COVID related financial impacts (unemployed, reduced income, increased bills, etc.)
Have trouble paying rent or utilities

Renters meeting the income guidelines generally qualify. To complete an application, or learn more about the program specifics, go to mainehousing.org/covidrent or call ACAP at 207-764-3721.

THROWBACK SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK...

Throughout this ACAP 50th Anniversary Celebration Year, our Snapshots of the Week will be a Throwback

to our Agency's first 50 years. In addition to the Weekly Briefing, the Throwback Snapshot of the Week

will be shared the following week at the close of the ACAP Today recording, and posted weekly as a

"Throwback Thursday" photo on the ACAP Facebook Page.

Children attending the ACAP Childcare facility located in the Skyway Industrial Park take a moment to pose for a picture outside the building on a late spring day in 1987. The childcare center was located in an old military building constructed in the World War II era as part of the installation known then as the Presque Isle Army Air Base. The building sat in the general vicinity of where the tennis courts are today on the Northern Maine Community College Campus.

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