February 2025 Newsletter

Congratulations to the 2025 Co-Chair Advisors!

Returning, Betty St.Hilaire and joining her, Chrissa McIver

Meet your New Advisory Board for 2025!

Dear Maine CHWs and Allies,

We would like to share how pleased we are to represent the Initiative as your Advisory Board. We have some great ideas to strengthen the leadership and support all of you in your work. Please read more below about the new Strategic Plan, Leadership Development Program, the work groups projects, the new lunch and learn features and so much more!

-MECHW Initiative Advisory Board

Strategic Plan Updates

The 2025-2027 MECHWI strategic plan is in its final stages and will be ready to share during the monthly MECHWI meeting on February, 25th. You won't want to miss it!

Stay Connected/Announcements

MECHWI ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

The Maine Community Health Workers Initiative (MECHWI) will be offering a series of leadership development educational opportunities to initiative members, ranging from self-paced sessions to facilitated classes. Participants will have the ability to select and build their own portfolio to meet their leadership needs. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, use your leadership skills in your community, or advocate for the Maine CHW workforce, you’ll have the needed skills.

The MECHWI staff and advisors listened to your needs, and outlined below is an example of some ways you can start taking advantage of these resources and training opportunities. These will upskill your leadership abilities and provide you with the tools you need for advancement.

View Flyer Here

Meetings

MECHWI Monthly Meeting

MECHWI meets monthly. We share strategic updates; participants can network with other CHWs and learn from community programs and resources. All are welcome!

Next Monthly Meeting:

February 25th, 1:30 to 3pm

Join Meeting Here

CHW Peer Support Group

The CHW Peer Support Group Meets Monthly!

Virtual meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12:00pm.

The next group meeting is February 20th from 12:00pm- 1:30pm

This is a peer group for CHWs ONLY, to:

Provide Support to each other.
Address Barriers
Share Resources
Discuss Concerns

Join Group Here

Monthly Lunch & Learn

February Topic: Maternal Health

Friday, Feb. 21st

12:00-1:00pm

Community health workers can play an important role in supporting the physical and emotional health of community members who are facing the loss of a pregnant or postpartum person or their baby.

Meghan Henshall and Mariah Pfeiffer from the Maine CDC’s Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Mortality Review Panel will share about the work of the Panel in reviewing these deaths, share recommendations that support the work of CHWs, share resources for community health workers to help community members facing loss, and outline an upcoming opportunity to share feedback on what data is needed to show how CHWs support pregnant and postpartum women and their babies.

Join Here

MCD's CHW apprenticeship program provides an opportunity for new and existing CHWs to develop professional skills through on-the-job training and continuing education provided by MCD’s training center. CHWs receive a CHW certificate from the Maine Dept. of Labor.

Throughout the program, CHWs have access to mentorship, support, and continuing education to further your skills.

Scholarship opportunities available now for CHWs and employers!

To register or more information, contact Makara Pollard, CHW Apprenticeship Coordinator, mpollard@mcd.org

Visit our Website

CHW Job Opportunity!

MCD Global Health is currently seeking an experienced CHW to serve as a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Cultural Broker to join the State of Maine MCH program.

Some of the key responsibilities include:

Working with diverse partners, including state programs and community-based organizations, to strengthen service delivery around maternal and child health in diverse communities.
Providing care coordination and cultural mediation for families interacting with women’s health providers, perinatal systems and specialty providers for children with complex medical needs.
Developing and delivering educational and outreach materials.
Collaborate with state and local health agencies to create and carry out health programs that meet the needs of diverse cultures.

If you’re passionate about maternal and child health and want to leverage your skills to positively impact families in our communities, we encourage you to apply!

Please visit MCD’s Careers Page to review the full job description and submit your application.

Full Job Description

Self-Care Tip

Dealing with Change

Feb. 11th, 2025

10-10:30am & 1-1:30pm

We know it happens and it happens frequently, so why is change so hard sometimes? In this workshop we look at why even ‘good’ change can be hard, identify strategies to help us cope with change and ways we can embrace change in our lives. This workshop includes a 10minute guided meditation practice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US AT: 1-800-769-9819 OR EMAIL US AT: strengthenME@NORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

What is self-care? Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical, health, and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Join Here