March 2024

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The month of March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. The month is dedicated to increasing awareness of brain injuries and seeks to alert us to the causes of brain injuries, thus reducing the stigma surrounding them. When it comes to brain injuries, no single injury or person is the same. Providing quality support for people with brain injuries and understanding their needs will improve their outcomes for the future.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Learn more about supporting those with brain injuries, prevention, concussions, etc., at www.biausa.org.
Use #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth and #ChangeYourMind to share on social media.

Click Here to Learn More

SAVE THE DATE

UNE'S Brain, Body & Wellness Fair

Friday, APRIL 5th from 3-8 PM

Harold Alfond Forum, 630 Pool Street, Biddeford

FREE and open to the public

The Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences at the University of New England created the annual Brain Fair to engage the local community in brain exploration. Fair events include ice skating, free helmet fittings and giveaways, concussion information, hands-on microscopy exhibits, sheep brain and eyeball dissections, brain health and wellness information, optical illusions brain games, virtual reality demos, muscle stimulation, neuroscience art, learning and memory challenges, prizes, and more.

Check Out the UNE Brain Fair

ADVOCACY & MEASURABLE IMPACT

Substance Use Declines Among Youth

CHCC Prevention staff recently participated in the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with experts to glean insights into youth substance use prevention best practices aimed at driving lasting and impactful community change.

As a part of that experience, CADCA participants collaborated with their legislators to advocate for prevention funding, recognized as an effective strategy in combating substance use disorders, while also sharing their community-based insights. CHCC staff members Cheri Anderson, Alissa Wigglesworth, and Ethan Pollard joined other Maine coalitions in a meaningful discussion with Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King, and Representative Chellie Pingree’s staff.

Prevention works as results showcase in the recent Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) data: Alcohol use in high school-aged students has decreased from 28% (2021) to 23% (2023), and Cannabis use has also seen a decline from 24% (2021) to 19% (2023).

Click Here to Review 2023 MIYHS Results

INNOVATIVE FUNDING

FOR YOUTH-LED PROJECT

Thanks to a Maine Prevention Network Innovation Grant for Tobacco Prevention, Partners for Healthier Communities (PHC) will be awarding a number of schools up to $10,000 to create a youth-led Public Service Announcement (PSA) related to vaping and tobacco use. This is a great opportunity to engage young people in middle and high school in prevention efforts in a creative way!

PHC Tobacco Specialists and marketing professionals will be accessible for students to ask questions as they design their PSA, and a school staff member must supervise the project. PSAs could include, but are not limited to, a TV commercial, an Instagram or TikTok video, print materials for distribution, or a T-shirt design. The simple application is due by March 15 and awarded by March 29, with final projects submitted by May 31. For more information, contact phc@mainehealth.org. (Photo credit: CNN Health)

Click Here to Secure Funding for a Youth-Led PSA

Join the Project Alliance Coalition

Project Alliance is a Coalition of community members throughout northern York County who work together to create a healthier and thriving community. We are currently seeking more individuals to get involved and seeking the voices of teachers, parents, and other community leaders.

If you would like to join or get more information, contact Project Alliance Coordinator Ethan Pollard at projectalliance@une.edu.

Whether you want to make a change related to your own substance use or you are exploring resources and services for a loved one, your local OPTIONS Liaison is someone you can trust to help you navigate. Liaisons are substance use professionals plugged into a network of local resources for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, as well as other services.

OPTIONS offers judgment-free guidance, understanding that everyone’s path is unique and that not every service is a good fit for every person. There are multiple pathways to recovery, and you define what your path looks like. It took nine different programs for Chantel to find the right one for her. "For people who feel like they don't have any hope, I'd probably say, I've been there," said Chantel as she shared her journey below. #OPTIONSME

Click Here for More Stories of Hope from Real Mainers

FREE LEAD PREVENTION SERVICES

Maine Snap-ED

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Looking for something delicious and healthy for your little leprechaun? Check out this simple dessert: Almond Rice Pudding.

This month, our SNAP-Educators will be taste-testing beans in their K-3 classrooms. Beans are a great source of plant-based protein, making them a nutritious powerhouse for young children. Packed with essential nutrients like fiber, iron, and vitamins, beans support healthy growth and development. Additionally, beans can be incorporated into various kid-friendly recipes, making them a versatile and appealing food option for children in this age group.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC) provides free tax preparation through the CA$H program. Individuals qualify for this free service if their adjusted gross income is below $52,000. IRS-certified volunteers will help prepare basic Federal and State taxes. Our Tax Preparation Volunteers will also help determine eligibility for special tax credits such as Earned-Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.

Click Here for Free Tax Prep

Social Media, Drugs, and Youth:

What Parents Need to Know

According to Children and Screens, social media has not only accelerated adolescents’ exposure to adult content but also increased access to recreational, illicit, and potentially deadly drugs. Communities are experiencing overdose deaths from drugs acquired with ease online, with 25% of teen drug deaths since 2019 attributed to fake pills (Tanz et al., 2022). How are youth finding information and purchasing drugs via social media, and what are the impacts? What can parents and policymakers do to protect children from harm?

Children and Screens brought clinicians, public health experts, drug intelligence officers, and child safety advocates together to provide guidance for parents about the extent of youth drug access and trafficking to minors online. Click on the link below to learn more.

Click Here for the Parenting Tip Sheet