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WITH THE FIRST SUCH EVENT IN FORT KENT LAST WEEK A SUCCESS,

ACAP INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO OTHER UPCOMING ACTIVITIES TO

CELEBRATE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

The first in a series of community partnership events designed to highlight the work of ACAP in Early Care and Education and Housing in Fort Kent last week was a success with agency, public school partners and community members in attendance.  At a time of critical shortage of available childcare options for parents across the region, state and nation, unique partnerships between several area school districts and Aroostook County Action Program are making a difference locally.

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.

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...

MAINE WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW OPEN

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).

ACTIVITIES PLANNED TO MARK OCTOBER AS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 

Hope & Justice Project is hosting their annual Domestic Violence Awareness events in Presque Isle on October 1 and in Houlton on October 8. For more information, or if your agency is interested in participating, call 207-764-2977.

ACAP FOOD SECURITY WORK IN SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK

TO BENEFIT FROM HANNAFORD COMMUNITY BAG PROJECT

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.

ACAP TODAY LOOKS AT BENEFITS OF EXTENSION

OF FREE SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM IN MAINE

On this week's edition of ACAP Today, CEO Jason Parent speaks with Valley Unified School Nutrition Director Melanie Lagasse and Full Plates Full Potential Advocacy and Implementation Director Anna Korsen about the positive impact of Maine extending the Pandemic-era free school lunch for all programs. Lagasse also talks about her team's innovative efforts to source local food for her district-wide cafeterias, and new efforts to ensure children receive healthy and nutritious meals. Korsen also talks about what some of the coming efforts are for Full Plates Full Potential to combat food insecurity, especially with Maine youth.  

To view the episode, click on the image above.

TEAM ACAP ATTENDS ANNUAL EVENT WITH COUNTY EDUCATORS

Thank you Central Aroostook Council of Education (CACE) for allowing our team to share information about new programs to support our local youth. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with some of the best educators in the country, right here in The County!

HOULTON  HOSTS SUCCESSFUL MARKET HARVEST FESTIVAL

The Harvest Festival at the Houlton Community Market this past weekend was the perfect kick off to autumn in Northern Maine! ACAP team members handed out information, resources and giveaways while enjoying the music, art, activities, and local vendors that filled the Houlton Downtown!

2022 GOUGHAN’S FARM CORN MAZE CELEBRATING

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AROOSTOOK COUNTY ACTION PROGRAM IS OPEN

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.

Already have a scheduled HEAP Appointment? Click here to see what documentation you need to bring to your appointment.

                      HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24TH

ACAP offers a hoMEworks approved 8-hour homebuyer education class taught by industry professionals (lenders, home inspectors, and real estate agents) in an educational, non-sales oriented environment. The next class is scheduled to be held virtually on Saturday, September 24.  The hoMEworks homebuyer education classes provide an opportunity to learn about the home buying process in a neutral environment. The course is open to the public and registration is required.

• Participants will receive a certificate of completion for Homebuyer Education which can be presented at participating local Maine State Housing lenders.​​
• Local lenders, realtors, and title companies participate in our live classes to provide participants with information around what to expect when buying a home and its processes.​​
• Participants may be eligible for up to $3500 through the MaineHousing Advantage Program that could be used toward closing costs or down payment. 

To register or for more information contact Don at 207-554-4175 or dwhipkey@acap-me,org. 

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).
• ·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

UPDATED BOOSTER SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommended actions based on current level:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask on public transportation.
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

COVID-19 Vaccinations are now available for all ages over 6 months. If you need help scheduling an appointment, or want to know if a site near you is offering vaccinations without an appointment, call the Maine COVID-19 Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111 or visit https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.

Visit the Maine COVID-19 Response page for full listings of Testing Sites, Vaccination Sites and Treatment Sites.

BE PREPARED FOR WHEN YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO TEST

Free COVID tests are available through Project Access COVID Tests (ACT). As of August 1, 2022, households in Maine that have already ordered two test kits through Project Act are eligible to reorder one additional free kit of five rapid tests. Order you test kits here: https://www.accesscovidtests.org/

Free test kits are 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.

Thank you to dedicated community volunteer Don Raymond for capturing the 2022 50th Anniversary Potato Plot Project so perfectly. We appreciate you sharing your time and talents with the community Don.

To view the outstanding video of the project produced by Don, click on the image above.  

MAINE  COMMUNITY ACTION LEADERSHIP SUMMIT HELD IN BANGOR

Members of the ACAP coaching team attended the Maine Community Action Leadership Summit earlier this week. The team participated in sessions to build awareness and skills to help overcome the barriers diversity, inclusion, equity and poverty. Members of our team (Kiersten Tuttle, Hope Ladd and Sandra London) are pictured here with nationally renowned poverty expert, Dr. Donna Beegle (second from left).

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...

In 1993, ACAP's Family Planning Clinic in Houlton relocated to 59 Bangor Street

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