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September 2024

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

National Recovery Month, held every September, promotes and supports new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

Building social supports and a caring community is essential for recovery.

  • We do not recover alone. Recovery can be easier with the support of others.
  • Community can include people who accept us and encourage us to grow.
  • Family, friends, peers, and others play an important role in someone’s recovery.
  • Recovery is supported through meaningful relationships.
  • Social inclusion, not isolation, is important for recovery.


Want to help increase awareness and show your support for mental health and substance use disorder recovery? Check out SAMHSA's Recovery Month Toolkit or attend the Walk for Recovery on September 5th in Washington, DC.

3rd ANNUAL RECOVERY CONFERENCE

Saturday, September 28th from 9 AM - 3 PM

Noble High School, 100 Noble Way, North Berwick


Hosted by Rotary District 7780, all are invited to attend.

  • Learn strategies that reduce stigma and drive meaningful change surrounding mental health and recovery.
  • Hear from experts Dr. John Kelly (Harvard Medical School), Dr. Linda Durst (Maine Behavioral Health), and other leaders focused on recovery support, mental health, and community coalitions.
  • Discover the impact of establishing a tool kit with action steps to support mental health and recovery in our community.

 

$25 per person; breakfast and lunch are included with registration.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8:00 AM.

Click Here to Register

JOIN PROJECT ALLIANCE

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

FUN AT RIVER JAM:

Partering to Engage Families and Reducing Childhood Lead Poisoning

At the River Jam Festival, CHCC partnered with Partners for Healthier Communities (PHC) and Biddeford's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program to engage with local families in a fun and festive environment. Amidst the food, music, games, and performances, we provided invaluable resources on tobacco prevention, substance use prevention, and childhood lead poisoning prevention, including information about the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program, highlighting the resources and funds available to help remediate lead hazards in Biddeford homes, ensuring a safer and healthier community for all.


If you live in or own an older home, visit www.chccme.org to learn how to prevent childhood lead poisoning, and go to Lead in Biddeford (biddefordmaine.org) to learn more about the City’s Lead-Hazard Reduction Program. 

Click Here for a Free Lead Test Kit & Other Resources

SNAP-EDUCATION

Our SNAP-Educators have wrapped up their summer classes and are beginning to prepare for the new school year. 


Pictured above is a "Make-your-own Beverage Station" in which teens at Apex Youth Connection and Old Orchard Beach Recreation used their knife skills to chop a variety of fruits to mix with seltzer water and juices. They absolutely loved trying different combinations and figuring out which sparked their taste buds. 

INTRODUCING:

Be There for ME

The Maine Child Welfare Action Network (MCWAN) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have launched Be There for ME, a new campaign designed to support parents and caregivers in Maine by reducing the stigma around asking for help. Developed in collaboration with parents, caregivers, and community organizations, the campaign helps connect families with essential support, including housing, child care, and stress management, in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. Its resources are available in 12 languages through the website.

Help Spread the Word

Everyone—from state and community organizations to neighbors, friends, and professionals—has a role to play in supporting families.The “How to Be There for ME” page features tips on how to support parents and caregivers in Maine and materials that can be shared with your networks. We encourage you to:

Download flyers in 12 languages and pre-made social media posts to share.

Request posters and rack cards from the Maine Prevention Store to distribute.

Post videos featuring Mainers and include info in your next newsletter.

Click Here to Get Connected to Support or Access the Toolkit

CANNABIS HIGHLIGHT

There are real health concerns with underage cannabis use as the brain is developing, and it is important to mitigate risk and understand some of the health concerns of youth using cannabis.


First and foremost, it's critical to change how you store cannabis as kids get older; what might protect a toddler may not protect a curious teenager. Be sure to lock up medications, including cannabis.


Secondly, brain development is not complete until about age 25. Cannabis use before the brain is fully developed causes physical changes to the brain, which can impact attention, memory, problem solving, and social skills. For the best chance to reach their full potential, it’s best for youth to not use cannabis.

Learn the Health Consequences for Youth Using Cannabis

A RESOUNDING SUCCESS:

2nd Annual Employee Wellness Summit

The Second Annual Employee Wellness Summit was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse group of community members, youth-serving organizations, businesses, and non-profits to focus on health, well-being, and the strength of our community. Hosted by Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition in partnership with the Biddeford City Theater, the summit provided valuable information, interactive sessions, and opportunities to build meaningful connections.


Participants actively engaged in a variety of interactive activities, all designed to deepen their understanding of key wellness topics. The summit featured a lineup of speakers who shared their expertise on critical wellness resources available at no cost to all Mainers. 

  • Reegan Hebert (pictured), Tobacco Prevention Specialist from MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, kicked off the presentations with an insightful discussion on Maine Quitlink  services. Her session provided attendees with essential tools and strategies to support tobacco cessation.


  • Nikki Williams and Nina Misra from United Way of Southern Maine followed with a comprehensive overview of the wide range of services offered by 211 Maine. They guided attendees on how to access vital resources available across the state.


  • The summit concluded with a session on crisis intervention and support, led by Christina Cook, Carrie Swarthout, and Harley High. They provided crucial insights into the Maine Crisis Line (988), empowering attendees with knowledge on how to access and utilize phone, text, and in-person crisis services.


Special thanks to United Way of Southern Maine, as well as to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Biddeford & Sanford, Maine Crisis Support Services (988), and the City Theater for their invaluable support and collaboration in making this event possible. Additional thanks go to our generous raffle prize donors—APEX Youth Connection, Samudra Studio Yoga, and Heal Wellness & Consulting—whose generous contributions greatly enhanced the overall impact of the day. 

9/11 - Patriot Day


On Patriot Day, we remember our nation's first responders and everyone whose occupational challenges could impact their mental health, wellness, and recovery efforts. We see you, honor you, and thank you! If you are struggling to cope, reach out to get the support you need by clicking here.


#RecoveryMonth #NeverForget

NOW HIRING:

Part-Time Project Coordinator

This part-time Project Coordinator will develop, execute, and assess childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies and oversee their implementation. The position will be responsible for forming a stakeholder coalition, conducting community education and awareness campaigns through training sessions, participating in community events and speaking engagements, and utilizing multimedia channels (e.g., social media, PSAs, etc.).


Located in Biddeford, this role requires reliable transportation to attend activities and flexibility for occasional evening and weekend commitments. Funded entirely through grants, this position provides an opportunity to engage a diverse community in efforts to promote healthier outcomes for children and their families. To learn more, click below.

Check out the Job Description & Apply Here
Bookmark CHCC's Website for All Upcoming Events

Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition

207-602-3551

chcc@une.edu

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