January 2026 Newsletter

Dear Maine CHWs and Allies,

As we begin our incredible new year and look ahead at opportunities, we want to thank you all—our valued partners. Your dedication and collaboration have been the driving force behind our progress, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum together.

Our NEW Advisory Board is committed to supporting innovation, fostering leadership, and amplifying the voices that make our mission possible. Please join us in welcoming our new advisors.

This newsletter is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and connected throughout 2026. Inside, you’ll find updates on recent achievements, upcoming initiatives, and ways to engage with our work.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are shaping a stronger, healthier future.

-MECHW Initiative Staff

Storytelling

Stories are powerful; we want to hear yours.

Submit your stories, and if selected, you will receive a $25 gift card at the completion of your story.

Enter Story Here

Read Previous Stories Here!

Strategic Planning Committees

We are addressing the priority projects for the 2026 Strategic Planning. We have developed the following Committees.

Certification
CHW Events
Story Board/Social Media
Leadership Training

If you are ready to jump into this important work, please reach out to Bridgette Dairyko bdairyko@mcd.org. Thank you for your dedication to support the CHW workforce!

Leadership Opportunities & News

CHW Certification Updates

Our certification pilot will launch on January 19, 2026, with the full program going live on February 2, 2026. The first in‑person certification assessment will be offered in March, and subsequent assessments will be held on the second Thursday of each month thereafter. Comprehensive guidelines and instructions are posted on the website to help candidates prepare.

We are looking for people interested in serving on the governing body. If you are interested in joining the governing body for certification, please contact Bridgette Dairyko at bdairyko@mcd.org

Visit Certification Page Here!

CHW Highlights

"Driving Change through Leadership"

If you would like your CHW program highlighted in our monthly newsletter,

Please contact bdairyko@mcd.org

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:

Jan. 27th, 1:30-2:30pm

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 Jan 15th 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
Leadership Training

Join Group Here

Monthly Lunch & Learn

Medication Management

Lucie Stewart, NP-C/MAT Prescriber

Assistance Plus

Jan. 16th from 12:00pm-1:00pm

Meeting Link

Maine’s Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Monthly Learning Series

Transition Planning February 3, 2026, 3:30-4:30pm

Introducing MCD Learn +

NEW Early Childhood Development Specialty Track

MCD Learn is MCD's new home for online training, bringing together courses and resources from across MCD into one easy-to-use platform. Explore a growing catalog of 100+ self-paced public and global health trainings, including CHW core competencies, behavioral health, early childhood development, telehealth, and more. New courses are added regularly.

If you have any issues logging in or questions, please email elearning@mcd.org

Learn how to navigate the new site

NEW TRAINING AVAILABLE!

CHWs across Maine can now access MCD’s free Early Child Development Specialty Track on MCD Learn. This self-paced training builds core CHW skills alongside specialized early childhood development knowledge to support families with confidence.

Free. Accessible. Available now.

Start the early child development specialty training today

2026 CHW Supervision Training

Please register for the training in the link below. Upon registering, you will receive an invoice from our team. Payment is required to confirm enrollment. Thank you!

For questions, please contact Zakiya Sheikh at CHWinfo@mcd.org.

View Flyer & Agenda

Maine Parent Federation Training

Social Security Benefits Monthly Webinar on Wed, Jan 14th at noon.

Understanding the different types of Social Security benefits for individuals with disabilities is not an easy task. In addition, the process of applying for benefits can be confusing for individuals and families.

MPF has put together a training to help understand the difference between SSI and SSDI, as well as how to apply for these benefits. We will also provide information specific to young adults and work incentives. Please join Allison and Dylan as they discuss Social Security Benefits.

We are not affiliated with SSA and we are not legal advocates, but through research and training we bring this training to you as a guide to the process.

Please register with the link below.e xt Link

State CHW Policy 101

Tues. Jan 13th

2:30-4pm CST

This state-only webinar will introduce the basics of the state CHW policy space, including: an introduction to the role of CHWs, including the centrality of lived experience; best state policy practices for CHW engagement, financial sustainability, certification, and training; and common challenges states experience during policy development and implementation.

Growing Together: Building

Regional Networks that Work

Wed. Jan 14th

2-3pm CST

Join for an interactive webinar exploring how regional CHW networks come to life - from concept to connection. Learn why regional associations matter, how they strengthen local CHW leadership, and what steps your region can take to build or enhance your own network.

Visit Website

Building the Capacity of Community-Oriented Occupations in Public Health

Wed. Jan 14th

1-2pm CST

This webinar will provide an overview of the community-oriented workforce (e.g., community health workers) in local and state health departments, along with examples from two departments describing the roles and job tasks of their community-oriented workers.