ACAP Briefing for the Week October 3, 2022 | |
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ALL ACAP PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2022
IN OBSERVANCE OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S HOLIDAY
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SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS VISITS FUTURE HOME OF ACAP 13-UNIT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY IN PRESQUE ISLE AND CONGRATULATES
ACAP TEAM ON 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTY
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Aroostook County's own U.S. Senator Susan Collins returned home to The County on Monday, October 3, for a visit that included a congratulatory stop to recognize ACAP's 50th Anniversary, and a tour of the future site of a 13-unit supportive housing facility the agency will convert in the coming year. Senator Collins presented ACAP Board Chair Trudy Gorneault and CEO Jason Parent with a U.S. Flag she had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in honor of ACAP's 50th Anniversary. The Senator then toured ACAP's 1 Edgemont Drive building, visiting with staff in the offices and ending the tour in the Hope and Prosperity Resource Center. Staff in the center showed the Senator the current facility and shared the floorplan for the future remodeled facility. Prior to departing, Senator Collins spoke with the HPRC Staff about the work they do each day with individuals experiencing homelessness. | |
MAINEHOUSING PAUSES EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | |
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MaineHousing last Thursday announced it had paused accepting new applications to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program as the agency awaits word on its request for additional federal funding. An unanticipated uptick in demand on the program, coupled with uncertain new revenue, prompted MaineHousing's leadership team to make this decision.
As of 5:00 p.m., September 29, the program, which was started in March of 2021, is no longer accepting new applications or renewed applications for rent or electric utility assistance. The program, launched as a temporary support, is paid for with federal funds authorized under a pair of COVID-19 relief laws.
MaineHousing staff on Thursday notified key entities, including the office of Gov. Janet Mills, Legislative leaders and the 10 community action agencies across Maine that have worked tirelessly to help administer this program. Read More...
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WITH DONATIONS FROM QUILTERS AND BLANKET MAKERS COUNTY-WIDE, MARDEN'S OF PRESQUE ISLE GIFTS ACAP WITH MORE THAN 60 BLANKETS FOR FAMILIES AND INDVIDIUALS TO STAY WARM THIS WINTER | |
A huge thank you to the Presque Isle Marden’s and to the individuals County-wide who used their time, talent and resources to make more than 60 beautiful blankets for children and adults of all ages! Members of the ACAP Team picked up the donated blankets from the team at Marden's last week. Project Leader Betty Foster and her team at the Presque Isle Mardens have been collecting the donated blankets over the past several months from talented quilters and blanket makers. ACAP will distribute the creations to families and individuals in need across the region. | |
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TWO NEW YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S ACAP TODAY
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This first ACAP Today in October highlights ACAP youth focused workforce programs. ACAP CEO Jason Parent chats with Kathy Williams, ACAP Program Supervisor, about the available programs that aim to prepare youth to enter the workforce.
To view the full episode, click on the image above.
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TAKE THE SOBER OCTOBER PLEDGE | |
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Sober October is simply making a pledge to yourself and committing to not using alcohol or any other substances. It’s also an opportunity to talk about substance abuse and be a role model for young people in your life.
If you have loved ones in recovery, you can share your commitment with them and let them know as part of your pledge to participate in Sober October, you’re learning more about their experience and gaining a deeper appreciation for what they’ve gone through.
Maintaining sobriety can be challenging, and there’s no shame in having a harder time than you expected. If you end the month with some unresolved questions or concerns, talking to a treatment professional or therapist is a good next step.
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AROOSTOOK COMMUNITY MATTERS: ACAP'S MOBILE HOME REPLACEMENT | |
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A local family recently had their mobile home replaced thanks to ACAP’s Mobile Home Replacement program.
The project was the topic of a recent Aroostook Community Matters report on WAGM-TV.
To view the full report, click on the image above, or Read More...
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OCTOBER IS HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH | |
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This fall, ACAP doubled its number of public pre-school partnerships in communities across The County, adding Caribou, Limestone, Van Buren and Fort Kent to the list of towns where parents enrolling their children in preschool now have expanded opportunities. Partnership programs for expanded preschool/childcare services were already in place with RSU 50 in Dyer Brook, SAD 27 in Houlton, Region 2 School of Applied Technology – also in Houlton, as well as SAD 1 and the district’s Presque Isle Tech Center.
Upcoming celebrations are planned for the new partnerships in Caribou, Limestone and Van Buren later this month. The calendar of activity is noted above.
The agency, which provides Head Start services region-wide, and its new partner public schools are inviting elected officials, community leaders, the media and community members in to visit the classrooms and learn more about the collaborative efforts that have been tailored to best meet the needs of the local community and school district. Read More...
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NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS CAN SIGN UP NOW FOR
THE COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER
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A free community event for new and expecting parents is set for Friday, October 28 at ACAP's 771 Main Street Customer Service Center in Presque Isle.
Each of the two sessions of the Community Baby Shower will begin with a short informational talk on Safe Sleep followed by vendor tables, opportunities to connect with local agencies and resources and door prizes!
Session one is set for 10:00 a.m., with session two to follow at 12:30 p.m.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Registered attendees will receive a free welcome baby bag full of useful items and information to support them and their new baby.
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APPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN
WINTERKIDS WINTER GAMES IS NOW OPEN!
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Once again, the WinterKids Winter Games is bringing a little healthy competition to elementary schools across Maine. The four-week-long program, which spans from January 9th to February 3rd, features fun, active, and educational activities that get students moving and learning outside!
Schools can choose to apply to be one of the 16 schools in the Competitive Track, vying for a top prize of $5,000 cash, or participate in the flexible Play-Along Track. Either way, over 10,000 kids will be getting outdoors and active throughout the month of January!
Application Opened: October 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM
Deadline: 5:00 PM Eastern on October 23, 2022
Complete a short application https://winterkids.org/winter-games/
FMI: Contact Marion Doyle mdoyle@winterkids.org
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MAINE WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW OPEN | |
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The Maine Water Assistance Program is a limited-time program to assist Maine residents who may have fallen behind or had difficulty paying their drinking water and wastewater bills. The program provides direct payments to water and sewer utilities on behalf of customers.
This program is available to income-qualified Maine households who receive their water through public water or wastewater utilities and have an account in their name. It covers unpaid bill balances, property liens for water utility non-payment and bills for customers facing a disconnection notice. The program may also provide a credit to eligible households to defray future water costs.
You can learn more about the program details and sign up for automated updates on the program by visiting MaineHousing’s Water Assistance Program page here: Maine Water Assistance Program (mainehousing.org).
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ACAP FOOD SECURITY WORK IN SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK
TO BENEFIT FROM HANNAFORD COMMUNITY BAG PROJECT
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Aroostook County Action Program Houlton has been selected to receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of October 2022 at the Houlton Hannaford location. | |
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2022 GOUGHAN’S FARM CORN MAZE CELEBRATING
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AROOSTOOK COUNTY ACTION PROGRAM IS OPEN
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Friendly reminder that the 2022 season corn maze at Goughan's Farm in Caribou is open. This year the maze is honoring the 50 years of service ACAP has provided to all of us in Aroostook County. We are privileged to help celebrate and educate our community in all the programs and services they provide! Congratulations and many thanks to the ACAP team for all they do to help make a difference in the lives of our friends, families and community members.
The corn maze is open daily Monday through Saturday 8am-5pm and Sunday 10-5. Venture your way through, playing the 6 different games to learn more about the programs ACAP offers. Your rewarded at the end is a delicious cone of farm made ice cream. The cost is $9/person and children 5 and under are $3.00 it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete.
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RECENT MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING ARTICE ON HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
With colder temperatures on the way, high fuel costs are pushing more Mainers to apply for heating assistance.
Community action agencies have taken in a little more than 18,000 applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) since mid-July, according to MaineHousing.
That's almost triple the number of applications — about 6,500 — received by this time last year, though community action agencies were allowed to open the program p about five weeks earlier this year.
Appointments to apply for heating assistance began after Labor Day at Downeast Community Partners. Staff handle about 130 applications a week, and appointments are already booked into February, said Jenny Reese-Pullen, the senior manager for energy services. Read More...
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MAINE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE | |
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The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund is a free, federal relief program for homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on their mortgage, housing, property tax or utility payments and are at risk of foreclosure. The program, which can provide up to $25,000 per eligible household, is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for assistance if:
- You own and occupy a 1 to 4-unit dwelling in Maine.
- You experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship after January 21, 2020 (a financial hardship is a material reduction of income or material increase in expenses).
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·Your household is below certain income limits. These limits vary by household size and location. Click here to view Income Limits.
Requirements
- Homeowner must have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
- Total annual household income must be equal to or less than 100 percent of area median income or 100 percent of the U.S. median income, whichever is greater.
- Property must be occupied as the primary residence.
- Property must be located in the state of Maine.
- Eligible structures include: single-family homes, townhouses, condos, 2- to 4-unit home where owner occupies at least one unit, and manufactured or mobile homes.
- Homeowner agrees to provide all necessary documentation to meet program guidelines established by the Maine HAF.
For more information or to apply visit: https://maine.gov/HomeAssist. For households needing assistance with completing the on-line application, Aroostook County Action Program (207-764-3721) is prepared to answer questions and assist with the process
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UPCOMING LOCAL FLU SHOT CLINICS | |
COVID-19 VACCINES AND BOOSTERS | |
FREE COVID TEST AVAILABLE MONTHLY TO MAINE FAMILIES | |
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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.
Free test kits are also available to order through COVIDtest.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Individuals are now able to order three rounds of COVID-19 Test kits for free.
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ACAP TEAM ON-SITE AT REGION TWO SCHOOL OF
APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CAREER FAIR IN HOULTON
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ACAP Workforce Development Career Counselor Mary Duff recently participated in a College and Career Fair at Houlton's Region II School of Applied Technology. Duff shared information on all ACAP Programs and Services, but especially highlighted the workforce development programs for youth - including two newer programs highlighted on this week's edition of ACAP Today - found above. | |
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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!
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THROWBACK SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK... | |
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Children at the ACAP Gouldville Early Care and Education Center in Presque Isle
show the art they created on the outside of the building in this photo taken in 2007.
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