2022 Behavioral Health & Higher Education
Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program
The 2022 Behavioral Health & Higher Education
Gold Star Standards of Excellence Applications OPEN!

Applications Due Friday, March 25, 2022

The Gold Star Standards of Excellence is an annual recognition program, of 10 evidence based, environment specific standards for organizations to meet through written, sustainable policies and procedures. The goal of the program is to encourage support and recognize Maine’s behavioral health organizations and institutions of higher education that are addressing smoking and tobacco use by creating and maintaining smoke and tobacco-free policies to provide a healthy and safe environment to optimize the health of clients, employees, faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors. The adoption and implementation of these standards is an example of this commitment.

All Maine Behavioral Health Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education - Colleges/Universities and Career/Trade Schools are encouraged to apply for recognition. Organizations and Institutions that meet a minimum of seven of the ten standards will be recognized with an award.

7-8 Standards = BRONZE AWARD
9 Standards = SILVER AWARD
10 Standards = GOLD AWARD

Visit our website for the 2022 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program
Applications, Application Guides, Standards,
2021 Awardees and much more!
Application Guidelines
New Applicants shall download the Behavioral Health or Higher Education application from our website, complete and submit the application (word or PDF) with necessary attachments by email to BreatheEasy@MaineHealth.org  

Previously Awarded Applicants shall complete an abbreviated application online by reviewing all 10 evidence based standards and update according to current practices. After completing an abbreviated application, Applicants shall send an email with a subject line of "BH GSSE Application Completed" or "HE GSSE Application Completed" to BreatheEasy@MaineHealth.org 

Behavioral Health Organizations Applicants Click Here
Institutions of Higher Education Applicants Click Here

2022 Behavioral Heath and Higher Education
Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program Dates

Applications Open: Friday, March 4, 2022

Applications Due: Friday, March 25, 2022

Center for Tobacco Independence
Annual Tobacco Treatment & Prevention Conference and Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program Recognition
The Maine Tobacco Treatment and Prevention Conference will be held virtually on May 9 & 10, 2022. This conference brings nationally recognized speakers and local experts together to discuss a wide array of tobacco treatment and prevention topics, new research, and innovative approaches to tobacco control. It also provides an opportunity to network with other tobacco treatment professionals from across the state.

Featured Speaker: Matthew L. Myers, President,
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

We will honor 2022 Behavioral Health and Higher Education Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program Awardees with an award plaque mailed directly to their Institution or Organization, including recognition in a press release, on our social media pages, and at our virtual conference held May 9-10, 2022. We hope that you can join us for this exciting event - additional information and registration will be made available soon at CTIMaine.org.Conference.

We hope you will join us and apply to the 2022
Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program!
Questions?
Please visit our website or email BreatheEasy@MaineHealth.org
for more information.
The Breathe Easy Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program is a program of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence supported by funding from Maine Prevention Services, Maine CDC, DHHS.