Category: Family Health & Hearing

Family Health and Hearing Committee and Information

Maine State Library Launches”Bendable Maine”

This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District 4.

On Aug. 23, the Maine State Library in conjunction with the Drucker Institute will launch Bendable Maine, a robust learning marketplace that allows residents of all ages and backgrounds to easily discover and access content that is just right for them on a wide variety of subjects. It will also allow users to acquire new knowledge and skills through online courses as well as local, in-person learning opportunities.   The vast majority of the learning available through the platform will be free to state residents. When there is a cost to the user, it will be clearly indicated.   Attaining new skills to improve job prospects is important, so much of the learning on Bendable Maine is work-related. The platform includes career pathways – backed by Maine employers – where users can earn a digital badge, thereby giving them a leg up in their job search.   At the same time, Bendable Maine has resources on a wide variety of topics, including cooking healthier meals, handling personal finances, fixing things around the house, understanding technology, and even foraging for mushrooms.   The platform features personal learning playlists from individual residents across Maine. It also has a lot of resources from state and local providers, including the University of Maine and community college systems, Maine CareerCenter, adult education programs, music schools, art museums and many others, along with a wide range of national providers, including Study.com, edX, GCFGlobal and a dozen more.   Check out Bendable Maine

Rural Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Presenter: Monica Kramer McConkey, Licensed Professional Counselor Ms. McConkey has 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field as a counselor, program supervisor and administrator. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Minnesota. Her focus throughout her career has been to increase access to, and remove the stigma often attached to mental health services in rural underserved areas. Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SVvxvmJrTam_uLo1jyW4rA

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

This article is reprinted with permission from the Brain Leaks and Musings Website.

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) transitioned to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

The original number will continue to work. 988 is built off of that 10-digit number. Using either number will get people to the same services. In the end, 988 is an easier-to-remember way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers.

In Maine, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have been routed to the existing Maine Crisis Line since 2018. With Saturday’s launch of 988, the process remains the same — only the number is changing.

The Maine Crisis Line will continue to answer calls, texts and chats to the current 10-digit number (1-888-568-1112) and calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK), as well as answering calls to the 988 Line. Texts and chats to 988 continue to be handled by the national Lifeline support center.  Regardless of which number individuals dial, calls are answered 24/7 with free, confidential help and support for non-English speaking and deaf or hard-of-hearing callers.

Cooking for Crowds

Food Safety Training for Volunteers:

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This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by UMaine Extension

Many organizations and community groups rely on volunteers like you for a variety of food events for fundraising, fellowship, food pantries, or other services to the community. But cooking for a crowd is tricky! How do you store all that food? When is the food completely cooked? How long can you leave food on the buffet table? Now there is a workshop on Safe Food Handling designed specifically for Volunteers.

This class meets the Good Shepherd Food Bank food safety training requirements.

Click here to request a workshop

For more information…

Supplemental Food Program for Seniors

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This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District4.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as Senior Brown Bags, Commodity Boxes, or Senior Boxes, is a federal program that works to improve the health of low-income elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) collaborates with organizations statewide to distribute units of food monthly to over 8,000 seniors across the state. Seniors in all Maine counties can access nutritious monthly food boxes by applying through their county’s supporting agency.

Each food box, valued at $50 and freely available to eligible seniors, contains a variety of canned fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, pasta, rice, peanut butter, juice, shelf-stable milk, cereals, and cheese. Participating seniors pick up their boxes at a designated time and place each month.

Seniors need only be aged 60 and older, live in Maine and meet income guidelines. To apply, view the list of supporting agencies and contact the one serving your county.

For more information about the program, visit the Maine ACF website.

Lyme Disease Awareness Poster Contest

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This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by UMaine Cooperative Extension

Each year, Maine CDC hosts an annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest for K-8th graders in Maine. Despite COVID-19, ticks and tickborne diseases are still a threat, especially among children in this age group. The topic of this year’s contest is “Tick Wise,” reminding everyone to be “tick wise” and take steps to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease.

The contest rules and release can be found under the “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” heading at www.maine.gov/lyme.

Posters will be accepted through Friday, April 29, 2022. Only one poster per participant will be accepted and posters must be accompanied by a signed release waiver. Winners in each category (K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, 6th-8th grade) receive a one-day park pass to any Maine State Park for their family and tick removal kits for their classroom. One grand prize-winning poster will be chosen to feature as the 2022 Lyme Disease Awareness poster for Maine CDC.

Please contact Maine CDC’s Vectorborne Disease Health Educator with any questions at megan.porter@maine.gov.

What’s the Number for 2-1-1?

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This article is reprinted in part with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.

February 2022 was officially recognized as 211 Month by the Maine Legislature, with the resolution passing in the Senate and House with bipartisan support. Finding help for complex needs like shelter, substance use, mental health, or food access can be hard for many Mainers. Fortunately, there is a Maine-based resource that can help.

In addition to helping Mainers connect to the spectrum of health and human services, 211 continues its involvement in specific initiatives, including Maine’s Opiate Helpline to provide confidential referrals to treatment options, fielding questions about prevention, treatment, and mitigation of browntail moth caterpillars and moths, answering the Maine Problem Gambling Helpline, and co-hosting the first Maine Virtual-

Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) with Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and other partners.

Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by texting a Maine zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. 211 Maine is a collaborative effort of the United Ways of Maine, the State of Maine, and The Opportunity Alliance as the Contact Center Partner.

Webmaster’s Note: Good information to include in your Family Health and Hearing Report?

Resources to Help With Electric Bills

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This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.

If you’re having difficulty managing your energy bills, there are free programs and services available to help you get caught up and manage your energy costs.

Below are just a few resources designed to help. For a full list of programs, please visit www.cmpco.com/helpwithbill or www.versantpower.com/residential/programs-and-services

  • If you rent your home and need assistance with your electric bill, funding is now available through Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. For more information about the program please visit: mainehousing.org.
  • The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federal grant program that helps income-eligible households pay for energy bills, repairs, and weatherization. Please contact your local Community Action Agency to apply for HEAP. Qualifying for HEAP is the first step to be eligible to apply for programs.
  • If you have fallen behind, call your electricity service provider. They have payment plans that will help you get back on track. In addition, the Electricity Lifeline Program offers eligible customers a credit on their electric bill. Arrearage Management Program helps eligible customers reduce their past due balance.