April 2023

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. This observance was founded in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder which claims the lives of more than 90,000 people each year.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

1. PARTICIPATE IN AN ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND

As part of National Alcohol Awareness Month, NCADD encourages the public

to spend 72 hours without alcohol. If you and your family participate in this

activity, monitor symptoms of discomfort or cravings within the three days.

2. START CONVERSATIONS

Talk to friends and family about alcohol misuse and its consequences. If

you’re a parent, teach your children about alcohol misuse and help them

build coping skills. Tell them that stress, anger, loneliness, and peer pressure

are a part of life, and they don’t need to rely on alcohol to help cope.

3. THROW 'CLEAN' PARTIES

Use the month of April to throw alcohol-free, clean, and healthy parties for

adults. Invite over friends, neighbors, and family to enjoy social gatherings

without any trace of liquor. Serve mocktails, club soda, or alcohol-free beer to

set an example.

If you or someone you know is struggling to manage their relationship with alcohol, resources can be found at: https://www.chccme.org/resources

PROJECT ALLIANCE MEETING

NEW DATE!

Thursday, April 27th

12-1PM via Zoom

Click Here to View Upcoming Presenters

FREE Community Forum

& Naloxone Training

In partnership with Kennebunkport Public Health and Kennebunk Police and Fire, CHCC will host a free naloxone training and distribution on Thursday, April 6th, from 6-7pm at the West Kennebunk Fire Station. Join us for a Q&A session with local experts to discuss the importance of stigma and harm reduction, followed by naloxone training and free naloxone for all in attendance.

We are excited to host Lacey Bailey, BS, CADC, from Options Save Lives, who will provide us with expertise on naloxone use and administration. Plus, FREE pizza is available to all!

Click Here to Search Permanent Disposal Locations

ATTENTION PARENTS & CAREGIVERS!

Week of the Young Child: April 1-7

Biddeford Ready!'s 2nd Annual

School Readiness Fair

April 1, 2023 from 11 AM - 2 PM

John F. Kennedy Memorial School, Biddeford

Be sure to follow Biddeford Ready!'s Facebook Page for more community events.

REMINDER:

Has your child been tested for lead?

Did you know a simple blood test is all that is needed to detect lead poisoning among children? Testing is required by Maine law for all children at age one (1) and again at age two (2).

Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for more information. You can also visit the Maine CDC website or the CHCC website for additional resources and information.

CHILDREN & SCREENS: #AskTheExperts The Social Brain on Screens

April 11th from 12-1PM via Zoom

How does modern screen use impact the social brain in early childhood, adolescence, and beyond? Join an interdisciplinary panel of neuroscientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who will discuss the functions of the social brain in childhood, what these interconnected neural networks require for healthy functioning, and what strategies parents might consider around infant and youth screen use to encourage healthy social development.

Summer Camp Registration

KENNEBUNK SUMMER CAMP

Entering Grades K-5

Registration Now Open for Kennebunk residents and all other towns.

TEEN X-TREME CAMP

Entering Grades 6-8

Registration Now Open for Kennebunk residents and all other towns.

BIDDEFORD SAFARI CAMP

Entering Grades K-5

Registration Now Open for Biddeford Residents Only; April 7th for all towns based on remaining weeks available.

BIDDEFORD OSB CAMP

Entering Grades 6-8

Registration Now Open for Biddeford Residents Only; April 7th for all towns based on remaining weeks available.

SACO PARKS & REC

Entering Grades K-8

Registration Opens April 4th for Saco and Dayton Residents Only; April 24th for all towns based on the remaining weeks available.

TWIN CITY THEATER ACADEMY

Entering Grades 2-10

Registration Opens April 12th for grades 7-10 and April 24th for grades 2-10. Open to all towns.

ATTENTION YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

The Biddeford Climate Task Force is working on a plan to address climate change and wants to include you! Youth and young adults up to age 25 can enter the PhotoVoice Contest by sharing their stories through a picture and a few words to show how climate change is impacting them. Winners in each category receive $50; the top 50 photos chosen will be displayed at Engine through May 5th. A public event to announce the winners and discuss climate change will occur on April 21 at 6PM at Engine. Click on the photo or QR code below for more information or to submit a photo.

Biddeford Rec is Hiring!

If you’re looking for a summer job that will give you a chance to enjoy the sunshine, and you enjoy working with kids, apply now to one of the available positions at Biddeford Recreation's Summer Camp program.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

CLICK HERESubscribe to SNAP-Ed's YouTube Channel for Healthy Recipes

MRBN "Together We Can Thrive" Summit

Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) is pleased to present the 2023 MRBN Summit, “Together We Can Thrive – Creating an equitable shared path forward to promote resilience in Maine communities,” held on April 12 and 13, 2023, at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The Summit will convene state and community stakeholders, focusing on prevention policies and programs prioritizing resilience for our youth, families, and communities. Community-developed strategies to promote resilience for health and social issues are entwined in the workforce and economic development, which supports thriving, prosperous communities.

The Summit is action-oriented and promotes skill-building. It will include nationally renowned experts and panels of Maine people, highlighting their work in creating opportunities for youth to thrive. After a few years of social disconnect, we look forward to the opportunity for colleagues from around the state to network and learn together.

Click Here to Register or For More Information

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

Free to the Public

April 13, 2023

8:30am - 3:15pm via Zoom

United Way of Southern Maine is partnering with NAMI Maine to provide free Mental Health First Aid training to the public. Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. As rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and overdose deaths increase in our community, these training opportunities are more necessary than ever. Together, we can take action to help more people live longer, better lives.

On average, 11 years pass between when someone first experiences symptoms of mental illness and when they get help. Individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid can shorten that time by identifying and supporting those who may be developing symptoms or experiencing a crisis and referring them to outside help. Attending this training also supports the Thrive2027 goal of helping us all live longer, healthier lives.

If you are interested in attending, please click the image below or reach out to Nina Misra at nmisra@uwsme.org.