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Aroostook County residents, who are struggling to pay their electric bills and don’t otherwise qualify for federal and state assistance programs, are getting some help through a unique partnership between the County of Aroostook, Versant Power and Aroostook County Action Program.

Officials from county government, the electric utility provider and the non-profit organization came together recently to announce that a $75,000 grant awarded to ACAP through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding administered by the County of Aroostook will be matched dollar for dollar by Versant Power. The funding comes through Power Match, a charitable program created by Versant Power in late 2022 in partnership with community action agencies in its service area (ACAP, Penquis, and Downeast Community Partners).

“In 2021, Aroostook County received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to be utilized as grant funding in support of municipalities and non-profits overcoming the negative impact of the pandemic. This year, Aroostook County awarded ARPA Grant Funding to support the partnership project between ACAP and Versant Power to help vulnerable County residents, who do not otherwise qualify for assistance, pay their utility bills,” said Steve Pelletier, ARPA Program Administrator for the County of Aroostook. “Aroostook County and ACAP have partnered on past projects to assist County residents and this project will do the same.” Read More...

Versant Power's charitable matching program to provide electricity bill assistance to customers in need is continuing to provide assistance to area residents. Through Versant’s partnership with Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), Penquis, and Downeast Community Partners (DCP), over $50,000 in electricity bill credits have been provided to customers in need.

The Team at ACAP is so appreciative of the partnership with Versant Power allowing us to meet a growing community need. This has been a challenging time for so many households in our community and through this partnership we are able to assist those who are need of support. To hear the relief in someone’s voice when you tell them that we are able to assist is so rewarding. This partnership has provided us the ability to lift that weight for households of all shapes and sizes in our community Read More...

ACAP Team Members from across Aroostook County gathered together at Baptist Park in Mapleton on Thursday, August 31 for Agency Day. The annual gathering is typically the one day of the year where all 200 ACAP employees are together in one spot. Due to school already in session for the Valley Unified Schools and Limestone Community School, team members at these two locations enjoyed an on-site version of Agency Day at ACAP's Fort Kent Center earlier in August. The photo above was taken as part of the Agency Day festivities.

Due to low numbers of youth accessing drop-in center services, ACAP has adjusted operations at the Teen Center located at 24 North Street in Presque Isle. The Teen Resource Center will continue to be staffed by members of the ACAP Prevention Team and provide needed services specifically for youth in our community but will no longer provide drop-in hours for teens. To better meet the needs of this population and reflect what has worked best since this space opened last spring, we will instead provide a calendar with the dates, times and location of scheduled events and activities targeting youth throughout Aroostook County. Staff will also be available, by appointment, to meet with local teens to connect them with the programs and services they need. The Center will continue to strive to meet an evolving community need for the youth and their families through a resource driven approach. 

FAMILIAR FACE AND EXTENDED MEMBER OF THE ACAP TEAM CELEBRATES OPEN HOUSE OF NEW DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE IN THE ST. JOHN VALLEY

Independent dental hygiene practice, Holistic Dental Hygiene, held its official grand opening on Friday, September 1 at the new business' Main Street Fort Kent location.

Lucy Morin, who spent more than two decades as ACAP's Dental Hygienist, and Sasha Corriveau are two Independent Practice Dental Hygienists dedicated to increasing preventative dental care to the people of the St. John Valley and beyond.

Holistic Dental Hygiene will contract with ACAP to offer oral health programs across Aroostook County - with Morin continuing her work at ACAP locations and in public schools, now in partnership with Corriveau.

In these times, it is very challenging to receive restorative care from a dentist due to the lack of providers. Prevention is key, so the team's goal is to work diligently with patients on providing preventative care services and oral health education. Morin and Corriveau incorporate alternative treatment and can be more flexible with appointment times and practice. They have made the office more patient friendly and spa like with heated massage dental chairs, heated neck rice packs, dim lighting, lip scrubs, and a quiet environment. There is a sense of relief that there is no sound of the drill or chatter from other operatories. They consider the patient's wellness and are transparent in their care. All x -rays are read for diagnosis by a dentist and restorative work is referred out. They have several points of referral for clients to choose from, or they will work with the dentist of your choice. For more information visit: https://holisticdentalhygiene.godaddysites.com

A local family enrolled in ACAP's Whole Family Approach, whose story we have shared in recent weeks, have finally officially become homeowners! On Monday, August 28, the family finalized the closing paperwork and became the full owners of their Albert Road Limestone home. The home and property were left to ACAP in the last will and testament of a Veteran from Limestone who passed away in 2022 and donated his home to the agency with the goal of ensuring a family in need of a home to call their own would take it over.

On the early September edition of ACAP Today, we are proud to present the video diary of the project with the family in their own words.

Click on the image above to view the video on the project captured by ACAP.

ACAP MANAGER OF HUMAN RESOURCES DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS

AT RECENT LORING JOB CORPS GRADUATION CEREMONY

AND ACAP LEADERS VISIT CENTER TO DISCUSS GREATER PARTNERSHIP

A recent visit was made by ACAP staff to Loring Job Corps to continue to grow and develop partnerships between the two agencies and their various programs that share common goals. The ACAP team was treated to wonderful lunch provided by the culinary arts students along with a working meeting to discuss various ways to partner more frequently while establishing a new MOU between the two agencies. Keep your eyes out for more great work to come between these two agencies! Aside from the recent meeting, ACAP Manager of Human Resources Carey Nelson was pleased to deliver the keynote address at the recent Loring Job Corps graduation ceremony.

If you receive MaineCare, be sure to complete your renewal form. MaineCare will send you a renewal form by mail or e-notice that you need to complete. This form will arrive

between April 2023 and March 2024. To make sure you do not miss it, be on the lookout for the envelope with a blue block with the renewal information and instructions. If you

signed up for e-notices, you will get a message in your account when it is time for your renewal. When you get your renewal form, fill it out and return it right away to avoid a gap in coverage.

ACAP's Tobacco Prevention Community Educators are seeking to build a team of peers across The County who are interested in advocating for, educating, and empowering younger peers to make informed decisions when it comes to youth nicotine use. Through the help of the Maine Cancer Foundation, we are thrilled to add that this opportunity comes with financial compensation for activities completed. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Chastity Holland at cholland@acap-me.org. 

Maine Cancer Foundation’s grant is offered as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Maine. They have invested over $15 million since 2015 in support of cancer prevention, early detection and screening, and access to care for all Mainers. To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.mainecancer.org, or contact Katelyn Michaud, katelyn@mainecancer.org, 207.773.2533

GetACP.org is a free mobile assistant that simplifies the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment process and provides access to real-time support. It takes a few minutes and helps households:

• Check their eligibility.
• Determine the easiest way to qualify.
• Identify the documents needed when applying.
• Find “free with ACP” broadband plans available at their address.

GetACP.org saves you time when you apply for $30 per month off your home internet bill.

ACP information will also be available at the Back to School Bash in August.

A big thank you to Mi'kmaq Farms & Fish Hatchery for their recent donation of cucumbers and zucchini! We appreciate your ongoing partnership and all you do for the community.

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SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK

Sweet treat!

ACAP Human Resource Team Members stopped by the Gouldville Early Care and Education Center recently to deliver a little sugary pick me up!

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