November 2008
“Gimme A Break” Introduces Local Teens to Surfing
One doesn’t normally associate the Gulf of Maine in October with surfing. But thanks to the new Rockland After-School Alliance formed between Broadreach and MSAD#5, this fall a bunch of budding Laird Hamiltons from the Midcoast learnt all about riding waves and so much more as part of Youthlinks’ “Gimme a Break” program.
Throughout the fall program participants spent time learning about oceanography, ocean ecology, and ocean ecosystems with Keri Lindberg, agent of Maine Healthy Beach Partnership (part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension system) and about how to read weather patterns (as well as some great surf lore) with local surfer George Haselton, the owner of Rockport Mechanical and Harvest Fuels.
In addition to the theory and lessons at the Youthlinks building, for three Saturdays participants woke early and met up with Program Manager Caitlin Schick for the long drive from Rockland to York Beach in order to put the ocean science to the test and to learn how to surf. The drive down was filled with surfing documentaries and excited discussion of the day’s impending activities, as well as varying degrees of trepidation about jumping into the north Atlantic, even with wetsuits on.
Thanks to the generosity of York Beach surf shop Liquid Dreams (owned by Mark and Rachel Anastas) the “Gimme a Break” crew were outfitted with rental gear and boards, lessons, and support free of charge. Liquid Dreams surf instructor Jose Perez also generously gave of his time, donating his Saturdays to introduce the Youthlinks novices to the joys of surfing. With Program Manager Caitlin Schick and volunteer Scott McPherson of Lincolnville surfing alongside the teens, safety was kept paramount and a great time was had by all. Each trip to York Beach ended with hot chocolate and well earned rest in the trusty Youthlinks van as the team headed back north.
Speaking to the impact of the program, participant Colby Gavin noted, “When I first got up on my board, it was amazing. Awesome would be an understatement. You get this adrenaline rush when the wave is carrying you. You feel like you can get away from all your problems while you’re trying to catch a wave”.
The overarching goal of the “Gimme a Break” program is to expose participants to the accessible resource of the ocean through a physical activity which stresses the larger core life values of dedication, patience, positive challenge, discipline, etiquette, and a connection to the environment in a fun, supportive, and healthy way. According to the stated goals of the program, participants are expected to “develop physical and mental skills necessary for surfing, become proficient in utilizing appropriate gear and safety precautions, understand the environmental factors which affect surf, contemplate the tenets of surfing in connection to personal conduct in everyday life, participate as a supportive member of a learning environment, develop a direct relationship to the ocean through physical exercise and exposure, integrate a variety of other’s personal experiences into an understanding of the diversity of the sport, contribute to the welfare of the coastal environment through community service, and identify local resources accessible for continued learning of the sport”.
In the words of participant Nathan Tochterman, “we learned the surfer’s rule- always look out for one another”. As with all RASA programs “Gimme a Break” helps youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. (Posted November 13, 2008)
Parents: the Anti-Drug: Free Guiding Good Choices course to begin Nov 18, Stockton Springs
Every parent wants their child to grow up in a happy and safe community. Maine towns are often exceptional that way, but even in most tight knit and supportive communities, dangers in the form of drug and alcohol abuse await to entrap even the most level headed of teens. By the time a child reaches high school, influence of parents or other important adults in that teen’s life can be starting to diminish. This elevates the risk of drugs and alcohol entering the picture, unless appropriate steps have been taken earlier in that child’s life. The key messages therefore around reducing the risks of substance abuse and addiction in teenagers are to talk often, build bonds, set guidelines, model behavior, and above all start early.
To this end Broadreach Family & Community Services can help, with their free Guiding Good Choices workshops, in collaboration with MSAD 56 and Stockton Springs Elementary School. Led by parent educator Patrick Walsh, the workshops are for all parents of children in grades 4-8 who want to arm themselves with the tools needed to help protect their children from the risks of substance abuse. The first workshop is on Tuesday, November 18 from 6:00pm to about 8:45pm: the group will meet subsequently on Tuesdays through December 16 th. In addition to invaluable information and strategies free food and childcare will be provided.
MSAD 56 parents have priority registration. Parents residing outside the District will be placed on a waiting list. For more information and to sign up for this free program contact Walsh at 338-2200 ext 109 or e-mail him at pwalsh@brmaine.org.
Guiding Good Choices is supported in part by MSAD 56 and their 21 st Century Community Learning Center grant, and a grant from the Maine Children’s Trust. As a result, the program, childcare, and food provided are free to all participating parents.
(Posted November 10, 2008)
Broadreach teacher Barnes recognized for her innovative approach to early childhood education
Early childhood educators and child care providers from across the state gathered in Auburn the evening of November 1 to honor their peers at the annual Maine Roads to Quality (MRTQ) reception. Applause rang out for those who had taken time in the past year to improve their skills and to programs that had received special recognition. Only one attendee, however, was selected for special recognition.
This year, in honor of her career spent in pursuit of excellence and innovation in earl childhood education, MTRQ chose to honor Jill Barnes of Troy with their Marcia Lovell Award.
Ms. Barnes works for Broadreach Family & Community Services as the site manager and co-teacher at their Unity Early Childhood Inclusive Program (ECIP) center (one of Broadreach’s four nationally accredited ECIP centers in Waldo and Knox counties). She has worked in the early childhood field for 17 years, and has been employed by Broadreach since 1999. She is a skilled Mentor Teacher in the SPIRALS Early Reading First project and has worked as a Teacher Assistant, Co-Teach¬er, Early Interventionist and Lead Teacher.
“Although she’d be the last person to say so about herself, Jill is richly deserving of this award’, said Broadreach’s ECIP Director Mary Bailey. “Her work on behalf of the children of Waldo County has made a real difference in hundreds of lives.”
The Marcia Lovell Award, which is presented in memory of the pioneering advocate of inclusive early childhood education and care, recognizes innovation and creative arts in early care & education.
“Jill’s passion for early childhood education extends beyond her classroom work into the realm of professional development”, noted Curry Ander, the person who nominated Barnes and the Director of Broadreach’s SPIRALS program, a project that works with children at risk of reading failure. “She is a mentor to others in our project with a can-do attitude that is infectious. She loves to be outdoors and knows the value of play while delivering some very fine intentional teaching.”
The Marcia Lovell Award for Innovation in Early Care and Education was put together by Maine Roads to Quality in recognition of an outstanding individual, business or group that shares in significant contributions to the development of the early care and education field in Maine,. As an advocate and leader in early childhood education, Lowell embraced the philosophy of inclusive education and worked first-hand to address the needs of all children and families. She was an educator, who believed in building peaceable settings for young children and establishing a meaningful place for all. The recipients of the award named in her memory have demonstrated that they are following in her footsteps through their work.
In 1992, the Maine Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care and Head Start worked with approximately 100 child care and education personnel on career development for child care providers, eventually partnering with the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. The Maine Roads to Quality: Early Care and Education Career Development Center emerged from the collaboration.
"The center works to promote the quality of early care and education, address the training and education needs of all early care and education professionals, develop multiple ways for professionals to achieve their career goals, [and] increase linkages between training and formal education," the Web site states.
The Unity ECIP Center is operated by Broadreach Family & Community Services, a private non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information on their programs and services, visit them online at www.broadreachmaine.org, or call 338-2200. (Posted November 7, 2008)
Broadreach’s Youthlinks to offer programs in Waldo County:
will collaborate with The Game Loft
Through their Youthlinks program Broadreach Family & Community has been selected by Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services to receive funding to support a new range of after-school programs in Waldo County. Youthlinks provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to youth ages 11-17 in the mid-coast. The Youthlinks program will collaborate with the Game Loft of Belfast in the delivery of some of these programs , as well as offering additional activities based out of the Troy Howard Middle School, and the Harbor Hill assisted living facility.
As with their program in Knox County, Youthlinks will offer Waldo County teens a diverse array of activities designed to develop their interests and skills across multiple areas. Teens will be able to choose from Art Club, Outdoor Adventure Team, Global Chefs, Board Game Buddies, and the Game Loft’s Trailblazers program: each Youthlinks activity will be offered for a six week session, and each will limit enrollment to six participants per activity each session in order to ensure a quality experience. The new programs are slated to begin in January 2009, with full details on activities and enrollment being released soon.
Community service- a key component of Youthlinks activities- will be incorporated into these new programs. Art Club participants might donate their work to , Global Chefs participants will create meals for community events or other nonprofits, and the Outdoor Adventure Team may do trail work. The youth participants help design all community service projects. As part of this project, Broadreach is looking to build and expand relationships with other Waldo County nonprofit organizations to expand the community service opportunities available to area youth through their Youthlinks program.
Youthlinks was founded as the Community Service Project in 1982, as a component of another organization. In 1993, the Community Service Project became an independent nonprofit organization, and in 1999 its name was changed to Youthlinks. In May 2007, Youthlinks merged with Broadreach. This merger of Youthlinks with Broadreach has strengthened two organizations that exist to improve the lives of area youth and families. Even more exciting, the merger has offered greater opportunities to maintain and expand the high-quality programming that has become synonymous with both the Youthlinks and Broadreach names.
Speaking for Broadreach, executive director Ruth Southworth said "We are very happy to be able to offer Youthlinks activities in Waldo County: the quality and effectiveness of this program is what brought our agencies together and I have looked forward to the right moment to bring these fantastic opportunities to Waldo County teens since the merger came into effect. The fact that we are going to be collaborating with the Game Loft, Troy Howard Middle School, Harbor Hill, and other community partners is the icing on the cake!”
Game Loft co-director Patricia Estabrook added “The Game Loft is proud to introduce its new Trailblazers program. In Trailblazers, young people ages 12-15 will learn new ways of dealing with their feelings and their peers. This social learning will have a significant impact on their lives as they mature.”
Broadreach’s Youthlinks After-School Programs in Waldo and Lincoln County are made possible in part by the funding support of DHHS. (Posted November 7, 2008)
October 2008
An Apple a Day Teaches Teens About Farming, Community
On the south side of Levensellar Mountain, off a winding dirt road in Lincolnville, sits Sewall Organic Orchard. Run by Bob Sewall and Mia Mantello, it is the oldest organically certified orchard in Maine. Since its 1980 inception, the orchard has grown in scale; in addition to a number of apple varieties, it now boasts blueberries, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar as organic products for sale. All of the orchard’s products are free of preservatives, chemicals, sweeteners, and artificial flavors.
This fall Sewall and Mantello welcomed a group of Youthlinks students to their orchard as part of a six-week-long agricultural program called Harvest Hands. This collaboration- made possible by the new Rockland After-School Alliance formed between Youthlinks and MSAD #5- provided local youth with hands-on experience on an organic farm, and offered the orchard extra helping hands during their busy harvest and cider pressing season. Each week the Harvest Hands were introduced to a new aspect of orchard maintenance and care. Sewall worked alongside the youth as they pruned trees, picked dropped apples, and helped rid the trees of insects. Along with practical lessons, Sewall shared stories about the orchard’s history and the benefits of organic farming.
Each week Mantello and Sewall invited everyone into their cozy farmhouse and spent time enjoying cider and delicious organic apples with the group as they reviewed the day’s lessons. Mantello shared her views on the importance of organic farming, and often sent the Harvest Hands home with apples to share with their families while discussing what they had learned. The vitamin and mineral-rich cider was such a hit with the kids that some went so far as to say they “would rather have cider than candy!”
Youthlinks’ programming thrives in large part due to the support of organizations like Sewall Organic Orchard, that allow mid-coast teens the opportunity to learn more about their communities, local resources, and the value of volunteering. For more information about Sewall Organic Orchard, please call (207) 763-3956 or visit www.sewallsorchard.com.
For more information concerning the Rockland After-School Alliance, please call Wanda Johnson, RASA Project Coordinator, at Youthlinks: 594-2221. RASA is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services offered in collaboration with MSAD#5.
(Posted October 27, 2008)
Broadreach Designated a United Mid-Coast Charities Agency
Broadreach Family & Community Services, a private nonprofit organization offering programs and services to children, families, and teens from Winterport to Waldoboro, recently received a $30,000 donation from the board of United Mid-Coast Charities and can now officially describe itself as “a United Mid-Coast Charities Agency”.
The award will allow Broadreach to continue its work in three main areas of focus: early childhood education and development, teen and adolescent volunteer and life skills programs, and the development and support of healthy families and communities. Broadreach currently works with around 3,000 families in Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln counties.
The Broadreach name formally came into use in October 2007 following the mergers of Mid-Coast Children’s Services, Youthlinks, and Waldo County Preschool & Family Services. Mindful of the need to continually reduce administrative costs while providing ever more essential services to Midcoast communities, the unifying of these three organizations has enabled Broadreach to offer the best possible return on a donor’s dollars without compromising long-established programs or each component’s reputation for excellence.
“All of us at Broadreach are incredibly grateful to United Mid-Coast Charities for their support of the whole range of programs we offer.” said executive director Ruth Southworth, who added “UMCC has consistently shown itself to be a wonderful partner to our agency and its predecessors over many years. In addition to their financial support, the accumulated wisdom of their board means that we also receive invaluable help and advice when it comes to understanding how to make Broadreach as effective and efficient as possible. If you have even a passing interest in supporting the work of any of the many good causes in the Midcoast, I strongly urge you to consider supporting UMCC as a major conduit for your donations.” (Posted October 24, 2008)
September 2008
Rockland’s After School Revolution Begins Now
Broadreach and MSAD#5 are thrilled to introduce RASA, the newly created Rockland After-School Alliance. RASA’s mission is to unite and strengthen two existing after-school programs: Youthlinks and Rockland District Middle School After-School Program. This innovative program is supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. This grant allows Broadreach and MSAD#5 to expand and intensify after-school offerings, align these opportunities with district curriculum goals and create new after-school programming for Rockland District High School.
Fall programs will begin September 22nd and run through December 19th. There is an exciting array of 6-week and 12-week programs to choose from, including: Animal Care Team, Beach Art, Climbing Wall, Play with Your Food, Tennis and Photography. Participants will be able to volunteer at farms, try surfing , cook for a local soup kitchen, and produce their own videos, just to highlight a few options. Interested youth or parents should stop by Youthlinks at 420 Broadway or call 594-2221 to ensure their names are on the mailing list to receive a brochure. Brochures will be available Monday September 15th, arriving at the schools and in mailboxes soon thereafter.
To participate in RASA programs, families must attend one of three orientation sessions being held at the following venues: Rockland District Middle School September 18th at 7:30 pm, Rockland District High School September 22nd at 7:00 pm and Youthlinks September 16th at 5:00 pm. These required orientations will be fun informational sessions for youth and families who have enrolled in a RASA activity. However, anyone who would like to learn more about RASA programs, meet RASA staff, or get involved is invited to join us!
For more information concerning RASA, please call Wanda Johnson, RASA Project Coordinator, at Youthlinks: 594-2221 or email her at wjohnson@brmaine.org (Posted September18, 2008)
August 2008
The Taste of the Midcoast is Coming!
Ed Varney is thinking about the three Bs: buffet, bidding, and Broadreach.
As the Belfast branch manager of Damariscotta Bank & Trust, a lead sponsor of Broadreach’s Taste of the Midcoast, Varney received the first event tickets from Broadreach board chair Sharon Goguen last week. Along with an expected 300 other guests, Varney will enjoy a great evening of food, fun, and fantastic auction items this coming October 1.
Held at Point Lookout’s stunning Ginley Hall in Northport, Broadreach’s annual Taste of the Midcoast Gala and Auction is bigger and better than ever this year. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 from 5pm on, combines two regional favorites- the Taste of Waldo County and the Youthlinks Dream Raffle & Auction- into one wonderful evening for the whole Midcoast from Winterport to Waldoboro. The benefit will once again showcase food by many of the area's finest restaurants and caterers, will feature live jazz and a cash bar, and offer a great selection of live and silent auction items.
Guests will enjoy strolling Ginley Hall’s elegant and relaxed porches and main hall; bidding on silent auction items, sampling food and drink, and previewing live auction items for bidding later in the evening. Items too numerous to mention- including numerous gift certificates for restaurants and services, travel, art, antiques and more- will be offered in the silent auction, beginning at 5pm. The evening’s master of ceremonies will be famed local auctioneer Rosey Gerry of Lincolnville, who is well known for the fun and excitement he brings whenever he is at the podium.
Tickets for the event are $25 each. To purchase tickets, call Broadreach at 338-2200 or 594-2221.
Sponsors include Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Village Net Media, Viking Lumber, Atlantic Insurance & Benefits, MacLeod Furniture, and R.K. Lindell & Co. All proceeds benefit Broadreach Family & Community Services, a nonprofit organization that supports children, teens, and families across Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln counties through a wide range of programs from preschool to pre-college and beyond. (Posted August 28, 2008)
Free preschool for Swanville 4 year olds: PreK is the way!
SWANVILLE (Aug 14, 08): An ongoing collaboration between MSAD 34 and Broadreach Family & Community Services means that children from Swanville who will be four years old by October 15, 2008 will be able to take part in the district’s free “Pre-K” program.
There are currently openings in this popular and proven program for Swanville children. The program runs from 12:30-3:00pm Monday through Thursday. Interested parents or guardians can contact Sandy Lannon at 338-6716 ext. #2 for enrollment information.
The Pre-K Program provides curious young learners with positive cognitive, physical and social experiences as they develop the skills necessary to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. The program is taught by experienced State certified teachers, who make it a point of pride to nurture and honor each child’s individual needs, interests and strengths.
The literacy and language-enriched classrooms are well equipped with a great variety of educational materials and toys. The daily storytelling, book-sharing, and song & movement activities help young children’s language development and help them take the first steps towards learning to read. The daily routine encourages each child to develop self-discipline, self-esteem and creativity.
This free program serves children from within MSAD #34’s service area. (Posted August 18, 2008)
“Train to Maine” Illustrator Visits Local Preschoolers
Children enrolled in Midcoast Children’s Services Spirals summer preschool program at the MacDougal School in Rockland received a visit and a signed book on August 13th from “Train to Maine” illustrator Rebecca Reed and special guest Conductor Justin.
“Train to Maine” was written by Jamie Spencer and illustrated with scenes of the journey from Boston to Portland on the Amtrak Downeaster by Reed. In addition to reading the book to the MCCS students, Reed also showed the children how she creates the pictures for her projects and worked with them on their own illustrations for their special “Train to Maine” luggage labels. With the help of Conductor Justin, Reed also made sure that each child (and also the teachers) received a train engineer’s cap and a signed copy of her book.
Reed’s visit to the MacDougal School classroom was part of a week of railroad-themed activities. The day prior, the children had visited the Rockland train station as guests of the Maine Eastern Railroad, where they toured a train and met the conductor. Following their visit to the station, the children had stopped in at Planet Toy on Rockland’s Main Street to receive gifts of “Thomas the Tank Engine” hats and to color pictures of trains.
The focus on trains and railroads is part of MCCS’s Spirals preschool program’s summer-long focus on community that is designed to create a balance between explicit and embedded literacy in the class’s daily routine. In addition to Reed’s visit and the trip to Maine Eastern and Planet Toy, the class has spent time this summer at the Knox County Airport, Domino’s Pizza, and the Farnsworth Museum. As part of this literacy rich curriculum the children talk about what they know about a particular subject (trains, for example) both before and after learning about it. The classroom takes on each week’s theme, with reading, play, and learning activities all focusing on the subject of the week.
Both Midcoast Children’s Services and Spirals are programs of Broadreach Family & Community Services. Classrooms are located at Broadreach’s Midcoast Children’s Services campus and at MacDougal School on Broadway in Rockland, and are open to any child regardless of where they live. To enroll a child into this comprehensive program, or for more information on the program, its costs, and other Broadreach services call 594-8474.
Broadreach Family & Community Services is a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information visit their website at www.broadreachmaine.org. (Posted August 14, 2008)
Youthlinks Hound Wins Boatyard Dog
Two weeks ago, none of the teens on the Youthlinks Boatyard dog team had ever trained an animal. Two weeks ago, Truman the hound they took on as their student had never been trained beyond basic commands. Today thanks to his Youthlinks handlers, their advisors, and his intelligence and sweet nature Truman is the 2008 Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Boatyard Dog champion.
Youthlinks exists to help connect local adolescents with the volunteer needs in their communities, so when the opportunity arose to raise awareness about animals in need of a home at the Humane Society of Knox County (HSKC) the teens and staff naturally jumped at the chance. It didn't hurt of course that the awareness project promised to be a lot of fun.
At the end of July a group of Youthlinks participants taking part in the program's free community service summer camp teamed up with the HSKC, professional dog behavioralist Marie Finnegan, Rockland's Loyal Biscuit Co., and a hound named Truman and began training to take part in the Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Boatyard Dog competition. The contest has become an attendee favorite, and consists of obstacle courses, jumping in and out of dinghies, a "freestyle" performance piece my dog and handlers, and at least half the team finding themselves jumping into Rockland harbor.
Under the guidance of Finnegan, Youthlinks Program Manager Caitlin Schick, and staff at the HSKC the teens transformed themselves and Truman within two weeks into a confident, disciplined and fun-loving team with a kid/canine secret agent skit that ended up stealing the show.
To the sounds of the James Bond and Pink Panther themes Truman and his handlers cleared the obstacle course, leapt from a tippy dinghy, disarmed secret agents, kissed a femme fatale, responded to commands in a multitude of languages, knocked a villain off the dock, and resumed their cover as an everyday family and their dog. After a tie-break performance crowd acclaim lead to Truman and his Youthlinks team mates clinching the championship.
"Not many adults would feel comfortable standing in front of a huge crowd trying to lead a young dog through a complex routine while performing themselves" said Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison, who added "To be able to do so with such confidence and showmanship that they won the whole competition speaks volumes about the quality of the teens who live in our communities."
Truman, the 2008 Boatyard Dog Trials champion and loving hound in search of a family, is awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Knox County. Youthlinks' free summer camp continues for two more weeks; regular after-school programming resumes in September.
Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. They are funded primarily by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.
(Posted August 12,
2008)
Great Dads are True Heroes
Supporting Nurturing Fathers Course Offered in Waldo County
There is more and more interest in the role of fathers today. From the family histories of presidential candidates to the presence of children on the championship-winning Boston Celtics bench, the discussion of what makes a good father reaches into every part of our culture. In an attempt to help male family members of all stripes strengthen their fathering skills, Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced the scheduling of the Nurturing Fathers Program.
This Program is a ten-week course for fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers and male guardians. Classes will begin on Wednesday, August 20th and will continue on Wednesdays until October 22nd. Sessions will meet from 6 pm until 8:15 pm at the Broadreach office at 8 Stephenson Lane in Belfast.
Program sessions will address a variety of topics, including The Roots of Fathering; Nurturing Ourselves/Our Children; Fathering Sons/Fathering Daughters; Discipline Without Violence; Playing With Children; Managing Anger/Resolving Conflict; Teamwork With a Spouse/Partner; Balancing Work and Fathering; Communication and Problem Solving; Cultural Influences; Dealing With Feelings; and The Father I Choose To Be.
A nurturing father is a man who actively provides guidance, love and support to enhance the development and growth of children for whom he cares. Previous class participants have said “it made me realize that by nurturing my children, I grow myself”, “I know more about the way I feel about my own father” and “I appreciated the support and camaraderie in the group”.
The Nurturing Fathers Program will be facilitated by Child and Parent Council Director Patrick Walsh. There is no cost for this program but a $22 donation for the cost of a book that accompanies the program is requested. Pre-registration for the course is encouraged and information is available by contacting Walsh at 338-2200 ext 109 or by e-mail at pwalsh@brmaine.org.
Broadreach Community & Family Services is a private non-profit supporting children, teens, and families from Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln counties since 1983. Broadreach is supported by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations, as well as state and federal support. For more information on Broadreach’s wide range of programs, visit www.broadreachmaine.org. (Posted August 4, 2008)
July 2008
Broadreach Participates in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program
Broadreach Family & Community Services of 5 Stephenson Lane announces its participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program for all of its early childhood classrooms offered at the Mill Lane center in Belfast, at Mid-Coast Children’s Services Park Street and MacDougal School centers, and at its center at the Masonic Lodge in Unity. Meals are available at no separate charge to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap. For further information on early childhood programming in Knox and Waldo Counties, please contact Mary Bailey, Director at 338-0029 or 594-8474.
Child and Adult Care Food Program Income Eligibility Guidelines
Effective from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009
Eligibility Scale For “ FREE” Meals
Family Size |
Annual |
Monthly |
Twice Per Month |
Every Two Weeks |
Weekly |
1 |
13,520 |
1,127 |
564 |
520 |
260 |
2 |
18,200 |
1,517 |
759 |
700 |
350 |
3 |
22,880 |
1,907 |
954 |
880 |
440 |
4 |
27,560 |
2,297 |
1,149 |
1,060 |
530 |
5 |
32,240 |
2,687 |
1,344 |
1,240 |
620 |
6 |
36,920 |
3,077 |
1,539 |
1,420 |
710 |
7 |
41,600 |
3,467 |
1,734 |
1,600 |
800 |
8 |
46,280 |
3,857 |
1,929 |
1,780 |
890 |
Each Additional Family Member |
4,680 |
390 |
195 |
180 |
90 |
Eligibility Scale For “Reduced-Price” Meals
Family Size |
Annual |
Monthly |
Twice Per Month |
Every Two Weeks |
Weekly |
1 |
19,240 |
1,604 |
802 |
740 |
370 |
2 |
25,900 |
2,159 |
1,080 |
997 |
499 |
3 |
32,560 |
2,714 |
1,357 |
1,253 |
627 |
4 |
39,220 |
3,269 |
1,635 |
1,509 |
755 |
5 |
45,880 |
3,824 |
1,912 |
1,765 |
883 |
6 |
52,540 |
4,379 |
2,190 |
2,021 |
1,011 |
7 |
59,200 |
4,934 |
2,467 |
2,277 |
1,139 |
8 |
65,860 |
5,489 |
2,745 |
2,534 |
1,267 |
Each Additional Family Member |
6,660 |
555 |
278 |
257 |
129 |
Please Note: When determining income at the monthly level, the following criteria is used:
Weekly Income x 4.333 weeks Bi-weekly Income x 2.15 weeks
(Posted July 28, 2008)
Café Miranda Chefs and Local Youth Cook for a Cause
“Everyone has to tell me at least one Italian word!” Chef Kerry Altiero says to a group of young chefs-in-training. These budding linguists were part of a one week cooking camp at the Mid-Coast School of Technology which came about thanks to a new collaboration between Youthlinks, the Rockland District Middle School, and Café Miranda.
At the beginning of the week, most of these students could only conjure up “spaghetti” or “ravioli,” but a few short days later they were slinging around words like “linguine,” “marinara” and “focaccia” with reckless abandon. Judging by the air of excitement in the kitchen each day and how eagerly the young chefs consumed their creations, the program was a success.
The first lesson was making pasta from scratch, rolling out the dough to form either bowties, raviolis, spaghetti or linguine. The kids hand cut the pasta as well as used machines. As the week progressed, students learned how to cook various Italian recipes with the intention of not only learning new skills but also preparing food to for patrons at Saint Peter’s Church Saturday Soup Kitchen in Rockland.
Of course, any good chef tastes their food before serving it to others, so each day culminated in a feast: pasta tossed with garlic, butter and olive oil, focaccia pizzas, marinara and meat sauce made from scratch and salads with homemade blue cheese, vinaigrette or Thousand Island dressing. The kids came away from cooking camp with a great sense of pride for what they had accomplished in just one week. They’d had a great time getting elbow-deep in stewed tomatoes as they squished them by hand, but they also had a good feeling about sharing their food with others in the community. After they served the meal at Saint Peter’s, there was even enough left over to deliver several pasta bakes to Hospitality House.
When chefs Kerry and Tony asked the students to comment on their experience, one student remarked, “I learned that food tastes better when you make it from scratch, and you can make something tasty and healthy with just a few ingredients!”
Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison added, “I would like to thank the Café Miranda staff for their generosity and dedication to making this program meaningful for the kids; their passion for creating and sharing good food was contagious!”
Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.
(Posted July 24, 2008)
Midcoast Children's Services has Spaces for Knox County Preschoolers
Parents often wonder what their children will become when they grow up. The list of possibilities is almost endless, covering everything from architect to zoo keeper, but one constant remains: children who attend a quality preschool get a head start on the skills that will one day lead to success. Knox County is fortunate therefore to be home to an outstanding preschool in the form of Broadreach’s nationally accredited Midcoast Children’s Services’ Early School Program.
Early School Program is a full day, year round program serving all children in an inclusive setting, including children with special learning and developmental needs. Any child between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 years old is eligible to attend the Early School Program classrooms, which along with the curriculum are designed to meet the individual developmental and educational goals of young children. The program offers early childhood classrooms licensed by the State of Maine and accredited by the National Association for the Accreditation of Young Children, certified early childhood educators, a literacy-enriched High/Scope curriculum, indoor and outdoor games, a six week summer program, and kindergarten transition support. The daily schedule provides opportunities for individual and group experiences, indoor and outdoor movement, nutritious meals and snacks and a variety of fun and educational activities that allow children to experience success as they learn. Should they be called for, additional services (such as speech, developmental, and physical therapies) are available to meet group and individual needs, delivered in a low-key and unobtrusive way as part of the inclusive experience.
Classrooms are located at Broadreach’s Midcoast Children’s Services campus and at McDougal School on Broadway in Rockland, and are open to any child regardless of where they live. To enroll your child into this comprehensive program, or for more information on the program, its costs, and other Broadreach services call 594-8474. (Posted July 21, 2008)
Youthlinks Turns Lemons… into Support for Local Charities
Drivers traveling Broadway in Rockland on recent Tuesdays may have witnessed an impressive looking construction thronged with thirsty passers-by and an eager teenaged sales force. Welcome to “Lemon-Aid”.
Each week this summer Youthlinks camp participants are selling lemonade to benefit local charities. In the process they are learning something about social entrepreneurship, customer service, and good causes from across the community. The Lemon-Aid stand was generously built this spring by the Rockland District Middle School (RDMS) after school club and Mr. Tonner. The stand premiered at the Rockland summer solstice celebration, raising funds for the Humane Society of Knox County. Subsequently, the stand has made its home on Broadway next to the Rockland District High School every Tuesday afternoon and has been staffed by six different campers each week.
The Youthlinks Lemon-Aid Stand will be at 420 Broadway Tuesdays from 2-3pm all summer. Fresh squeezed lemonade made by Youthlinks summer campers and other freshly prepared goodies are available for sale, with all proceeds benefiting Youthlinks and RDMS after-school programs as well as non-profit organizations chosen by Youthlinks campers.
Working on the Lemon-Aid Stand is but one element of Youthlinks' innovative free summer day camp for midcoast youth aged 11-17. Over the course of a camp experience centered on meaningful enrichment and community service activities, Youthlinks' young volunteers come to understand that being an active member of one's community is more fun than work. Youthlinks depends on businesses and community members to make this possible through donations or the volunteering of space and/or time. In addition to supporting Youthlinks’ youth volunteers, donors also have the added benefit of knowing that their donor dollars are supporting a variety of other non-profits in the area while teaching youth a lifelong ethic of volunteerism.
Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.
(Posted July 17, 2008)
Broadreach to Offer Guiding Good Choices Program
Broadreach Family & Community Services has been awarded a grant from the Maine Children’s Trust to help parents of mid-coast Maine guide their children through a healthy and drug-free adolescence. The grant will support the delivery of the nationally recognized Guiding Good Choices family training program in collaboration with local school districts serving the greater Searsport and greater Rockland areas.
The program provides parents of children in grades four through eight with useful tips and increased knowledge, strategies and skills to strengthen family bonds and reduce risk factors associated with teenage drug use and other anti-social behaviors. The program will be delivered by two trained facilitators in five two-hour sessions. During the course of the program, parents will participate activities that will help them set clear family guidelines and behavior expectations; assist their child in developing refusal skills and dealing with peer pressure; manage family conflict and control and express anger constructively; and strengthen family bonds and increase positive family time.
Guiding Good Choices has been recognized as an exemplary evidence-based model program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U. S Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education.
"It is proven that families who work together have great success in helping their teens resist drug use." Says Broadreach executive director Ruth Southworth, who adds "We are very excited to be able to offer this program to residents in both Waldo and Knox counties as a great addition to our range of services to the region."
The Maine Children’s Trust is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect. Created by the Maine legislature in 1985, it works to create a brighter future for all Maine children.
Broadreach Family & Community Services is a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information on Guiding Good Choices, call Patrick Walsh at pwalsh@brmaine.org or 338-2200 x 109 or visit them online at www.broadreachmaine.org. (Posted July 08, 2008)
June 2008
Red Sox Raffle to Benefit Local Children
As all Boston Red Sox fans know it can be harder than climbing Mount Battie on rollerskates to get tickets to see the dirt dogs do battle at Fenway. However, thanks to a pair of donated tickets local fans could take a step closer to a summer night of Boston baseball by buying a ticket for the Mid-Coast Children's Services' "Swing for the Fences" raffle.
The prize: A pair of tickets to see the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the pride of the north east and the greatest ball club ever to take the field, host the fearsome bats and sun-kissed pitching of the epically named Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
You could find yourself at historic Fenway Park on July 29th at just past 7pm, marveling that a $10 raffle ticket scored you- the lucky winner- 9th row tickets in section 26 of the 3rd base line seating. All the rest of us ask is that you wave or hold up a sign when the camera pans past. Tickets are $10 or 6 for $50. Call Sandy at MCCS at 594-8474 to buy your tickets today. The winning ticket will be drawn on July 11. All proceeds from the raffle will go to support the work of Mid-Coast Children's Services.
(Posted June 1 & 24, 2008)
Broadreach Promotes Annis to Office Manager
BELFAST: With long time office manager Nina Christie stepping aside to become a stay-at-home mom and self-employed support professional, Broadreach Family & Community Services office assistant Kaylene Annis is moving up to take on this pivotal role for the agency. With Broadreach since January 2006, Annis' experience will allow her to transition smoothly into the front office.
Along with providing administrative support, operating the main reception area, managing mail, telephones, ordering, newsletters, preparing office manuals and much more, Annis is also preparing to take over supervision of the Information Technologies staff.
Broadreach Family & Community Services is a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information on their programs and services, visit them online at www.broadreachmaine.org, or call 338-2200.
(Posted June 19, 2008)
Home Depot visits Mid-Coast Children's Services
ROCKLAND: On Thursday, May 29th, staff from the Camden Street Home Depot came to visit Lynda Rackliff's three year old Early School class at Mid-Coast Children's Services (MCCS) in Rockland. Home Depot employees Skye, Rusty and Chris brought planter kits for the children to assemble as well as potting soil and impatients to plant along with infectious enthusiasm.
The children donned their bright orange Home Depot aprons and went right to work. Amid the rat-a-tat of hammer and nail, words of encouragement and admiration were heard throughout the classroom as the children completed their planters. All turned out beautifully, and the children and their Home Depot mentors were truly pleased with their accomplishments.
"We'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to Home Depot for their generosity" said site administrator Mary Bailey, who added, "I can't overstate the positive impact a local business sharing their knowledge with these children has on these young lives."
Mid Coast Children's Services (MCCS) is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides a wide range of educational and support services to families with young children, from pre-school to one-on-one services. For more information on the services MCCS and Broadreach offer in the midcoast area, call 594-8474 or email them at mccs@brmaine.org. Broadreach is funded primarily by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations: to help out in any way call or email them using the information above.
(Posted June 19, 2008)
Mid-Coast Children's Services Announces Full Day Classroom Openings
Rockland based Mid-Coast Children's Services (MCCS) has openings in one of its full day, year-round classrooms for 3 to 5 year old children this summer. The classroom is located at the McDougal School on Broadway in Rockland and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Apart for a vacation week June 30th to July 4th, the classroom runs all summer long (and year-round).
A typical day consists of small group activities, outside play, circle time, and rest time in a literacy-rich setting, ensuring that enrolled children enjoy a balanced day of learning and fun with MCCS's certified early childhood educators. The daily schedule provides opportunities for individual and group experiences, indoor and outdoor movement, nutritious snacks and a variety of fun and educational activities that allow children to experience success as they learn. Additional services such as speech-, developmental-, physical-, occupational-, sensory motor-, and movement therapy are available should they be needed for groups and individuals.
The cost depends on the number of days a child is enrolled: two days are $67.50 a week; three days are $97.50 a week; four days are $120.00 a week; and the full five days costs $150.00. Parents should send a lunch with their child.
For more information on enrollment and availability of spaces and to request an application, interested parents should stop by the MCCS offices at 272 Park Street in Rockland, or call 594-8474.
(Posted June 12, 2008)
ROCKLAND "TOP DOGS" PREPARE FOR SOAKING
Over the past four years Planet Toys has raised much needed funds for the homeless animals of the Rockland area on the evening of Summer Solstice Festival. These efforts have brought in over $5,000 over that period. Now Youthlinks is joining forces with Planet Toys and this year they have challenged themselves to raise that amount- $5,000- in a single night for the Humane Society of Knox County and for Youthlinks' animal programs.
To that end an assortment of Rockland and Knox County notables, names, and ner-do-wells have been coerced into volunteering to put themselves under the Pitch Burst, a 21st century version of a dunk tank. On Saturday, June 21st those attending the Summer Solstice Festival from 5pm to 9pm will have the opportunity to drench Rockland city manager Tom Hall, Planet Toys owner Richard Aroneau, Broadreach Family & Community Services executive director Ruth Southworth, Badger Café owner Michael Greer, Café Miranda owner Kerry Altiero, the Farnsworth Museum's operations chief Jeff Charland, Midcoast Federal Credit Union's Heidi Vanorse, and several more willing victims on behalf of Youthlinks' volunteer programs for teens with area animal shelters.
"The main criteria for inviting these volunteers to be 'Top Dogs' is that they are famous enough or notorious enough to have reached the elevated status of someone who can draw a crowd of people willing to empty a giant water balloon over their head." said Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison.
The Top Dogs do have a card up their sleeves: for every hundred dollars they raise in advance they can shorten their stay in the damp seat by one minute. Those interested in helping the Top Dogs avoid a soaking can pay them or pledge them in any amount in order to drive down their minutes. However, for those interested in ensuring that the Top Dogs serve out their full 15 minutes, Planet Toy is collecting money in the name of each volunteer at their Main Street, Rockland location.
"For every hundred dollars raised in the name of a specific Top Dog their time under the Pitch Burst is extended by a minute" says Planet Toys manager Shani Watmough. "Planet Toys will gladly accept any donation of any size in the name of any of the Top Dogs to ensure they don't escape the damp seat- just tell us who you want to soak!"
In addition to the Top Dog Soak Fest, Youthlinks participants will be on hand with their brand new Lemon-Aid Stand, selling goodies and raising funds for the Humane Society of Knox County.
Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.
(Posted June 12, 2008)
New Rockland After School Alliance to Offer Kids More
Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, in partnership with MSAD#5, has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant by the Maine Department of Education. Youthlinks and MSAD#5 will partner to create the Rockland After School Alliance (RASA) to expand programming to meet the needs of underperforming middle and high school youth.
"Thanks to the innovative and collaborative approach that already existed between our programs and MSAD#5 it made perfect sense for Broadreach to join forces with the district in pursuit of this wonderful opportunity for Rockland," says Broadreach Executive Director Ruth Southworth, "It is a testament to the excellence of both Youthlinks and MSAD#5 that the Maine Department of Education was able to award this grant to our community."
"We are immensely proud of the collaboration our district has forged with Broadreach and the Rockland After School Alliance program is an illustration of true collaboration and partnership," says Al Pfeiffer, Superintendent of MSAD#5.
RASA will unite and strengthen two existing after-school programs, Youthlinks and Rockland District Middle School After-School Program. The funding will allow both agencies to expand and deepen offerings, align enrichment opportunities with district curricula and create new after-school programming for Rockland District High School.
"We are very excited to be working even more closely with the school district in the Rockland After School Alliance as this will allow us to both increase opportunities to young people in our community and continue to strengthen our existing activities," says Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison.
"The Rockland After School Alliance will allow us to build an academic learning component into our existing Middle School After-School Program", says Shannon M. Parker, Director of MSAD#5's Adult and Community Education, "and enable us to offer enrichment clubs at the Rockland District High School which has been a goal of ours for some time."
RASA will offer after-school programs to an average of 100 youth daily almost year round. All post-school activities will be preceded with a healthy snack and time for students to unwind after the school day and engage with peers and RASA staff in safe environment. Students will have a diverse menu of programs to choose from. Specifically, grant activities will create:
- Expanded and new after-school programming for middle and high school youth.
- After-school programming aligned with the Maine Learning Results and district curricula in core academic areas, in particular reading/ language arts, math, and science.
- Hands-on experiential and/or service learning-based opportunities to help youth increase knowledge and skills in core academic and enrichment areas including art, music, health and wellness, conflict resolution, positive interpersonal communication, and more.
- Stronger links between middle and high school youth and their communities through service learning projects that build skills while addressing neighborhood needs.
- Daily opportunities for youth to build relationships with positive adult role models.
- Increased student health, nutrition and physical fitness through expanded sports, hiking, cooking and nutritional programs.
- Improved school performance through an evaluation system that tracks the impact of RASA programming on individual student academic performance and attendance.
Broadreach is thrilled to make this announcement to the public and looks forward to continued service to area youth.
"This grant funding will allow our agencies to truly teach to the future, helping to ensure our children can engage in safe, enriching experiences that align with proven curricula," adds Mrs. Southworth.
For more information concerning the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, please call Youthlinks at 594-2221 or MSAD#5 Adult and Community Education at 594-9764.
(Posted June 1, 2008)
May 2008
Midcoast Community comes together to Find Out More, Do More
SEARSPORT: Waldo County is one of the hundreds of communities nationwide that will be holding a community event to promote prevention of alcohol consumption by underage youth. The public is invited to a “Town Hall Forum” that will be held at Searsport District High School on May 15th . Searsport Police Department, Building Communities for Children and Healthy Waldo County, a Healthy Maine Partnership in collaboration with the Federal Government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking, are sponsoring the event.Organizers say that underage drinking is not a minor problem and the whole community is part of the solution. Underage alcohol use is a serious problem in Maine and here in Waldo County. Nancy Tkachuk, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator of Healthy Waldo County points to alarming new research that underage alcohol use has damaging effects on the developing brains of young people. The Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Survey reveals the reported alcohol use for Waldo County children and the numbers are concerning; 27% of Waldo County 6th to 12th grade students reported using alcohol in the previous 30 days, the range was 4.9% of 6th graders to 50% of 12th graders.The meeting is an opportunity to look at the current social norms, personal beliefs and reservations about getting involved in making a change. Progress has been made through the commitment of local law enforcement agencies and alcohol retailers to enforce underage drinking laws and restrict access to alcohol by minors. But, organizers say, there is more work to be done. The community forum, will result in the an action plan developed by participants to expand networking and information resources for parents and to support continued development of safe homes and safe communities for youth to live.
(Posted May 14)
April 2008
April is National
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month!
Join the Knox County CAN Council
for a
Kick-off Rally
Date: March 25, 2008
Time: 9am
Venue: Maine State Police Barracks, Rte. 1 in Thomaston
Speaking will be Lieutenant Gerard Madden, Commander of Troop D in Thomaston; Geoffrey Rushlau, Knox County District Attorney of Maine; Tina Fish, Supervisor with DHHS Child Protective Services; Wanda Johnson, Program Coordinator of the Knox CAN Council; and Mary Orear and Ann Jennings of the Mid-Coast Maine Trauma Informed Community Group. At noon at the State House in Augusta, Governor Baldacci will proclaim April 2008 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month throughout the State of Maine and urge all citizens to recognize this month and dedicate ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children. The Maine CAN councils from all over the state will have displays in the Hall of Flags at the statehouse and be available throughout the day.
Child Abuse Prevention Month 2008: ‘Pinwheels for Prevention ® ' Sweeps Across the Country to Help Tackle Child Abuse's $103.8 Billion Price Tag
They're popping up in front yards, at community events and in front of City Halls. They're spinning in the winds of change blowing nationwide this April during Child Abuse Prevention ( CAP ) Month. They're pinwheels and nearly a half million of them have been distributed nationwide by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) as a demonstration of the fast-growing belief that we can prevent – not just respond to – child abuse and neglect.
The “Pinwheels for Prevention” movement is bringing the belief in prevention to life in a number of ways in communities nationwide. The movement is based on the belief that we must do more than simply respond to cases of abuse through prosecution and intervention – we need to provide programs and policies that focus on the child development process, engage communities and create conditions that allow parents to be the kinds of parents they want to be. These programs and policies include strategies such as home visiting, parent education, mutual self-help support, mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
Prevention priorities have historically lagged behind abuse response measures such as intervention and prosecution, but the “winds of change” have clearly begun to blow. The Pinwheels for Prevention movement began in the wake of a study released in January by PCA America and the Pew Charitable Trusts. The study documents pervasive and long-lasting effects of child abuse and neglect on children, their families and society as a whole. The study calculated the total economic impact of child abuse and neglect at $103.8 billion for 2007 alone.
"Allowing abuse prevention to languish behind other priorities is an injustice to the victims of abuse, but it is also a national economic disaster," said PCA America President and CEO Jim Hmurovich. "Priorities such as intervention and prosecution are important elements in protecting our children, but it is clear that more and more Americans are taking a stand for the early and comprehensive prevention of abuse, not just responding to it after it occurs.”
The $103.8 billion cost of child abuse and neglect includes more than $33 billion in direct costs for foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment and law enforcement. Indirect costs of over $70 billion include loss of productivity, as well as expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education and criminal justice services.
PCAA and its Pinwheels for Prevention campaign are calling for everyone to join this grassroots movement to turn our priorities and choices toward more comprehensive and effective ways to develop communities that are healthy, safe and nurturing for all children and all families.
ABOUT PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION
Pinwheels for Prevention is the grassroots signature campaign for PCA America and its 43 chapters nationwide. The pinwheel has come to symbolize a person's commitment to truly preventative measures, such as home visitation services, parent education and the overall re-prioritization of our policies, programs and resources to ensure that every child in the United States is provided with a healthy, safe and nurturing home and an involved, supportive and caring community.
Broadreach Family & Community Services, Gear Parent Network and the The Knox, Waldo, Lincoln Council on Transition
Collaboratively Present in Belfast:April 8, 2008 (Tuesday) 6:00 to 8 p.m.
TOPIC: “Autism Spectrum Disorder”
Guest Speaker: Allen Tomasello, BCABA, Discover Kids Consulting Services
Location: Capt Albert Stevens School Library, Elementary Lane, Belfast
To register or for more information contact:
Cindy Seekins, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
G.E.A.R. Parent Network
Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties
207-223-9993 or 1-800-264-9224
www.gearparentnetwork.com
Broadreach Family & Community Services, Gear Parent Network and the The Knox, Waldo, Lincoln Council on Transition
Collaboratively Present in Belfast:March 11, 2008 (Tuesday) 6:00 to 8 p.m.
TOPIC: “Transition to College for Special Needs Students”
Guest Speaker: Don Osier, Director of Learning Support Services, University of Maine At Augusta
Important helpful tips for students who will be transitioning to college within the next few years!
Workshop is FREE
Location: Capt Albert Stevens School Library, Elementary Lane, Belfast
To register or for more information contact:
Cindy Seekins, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
G.E.A.R. Parent Network
Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties
207-223-9993 or 1-800-264-9224
www.gearparentnetwork.com
March 2008
Maine Early Language and Literacy Initiative (MELLI)
Coming this spring!
March - May
This five-part series offers the early childhood educator an opportunity to learn current research-supported practices in promoting the literacy development of children birth to age five.
Click the link below for more information
http://readingspirals.org/documents/SPRINGMELLIINCOLOR2.pdf
February 2008
Healthy Waldo County coalition news—Belfast's Dead River Convenience Store Receives Our Town, Our Children Award
Jo Peavey, manager of the Dead River Convenience Store, received the Our Town, Our Children Award recently for her efforts to minimize underage drinking by adopting new alcohol marketing practices. Peavey was encouraged to change the store's alcohol marketing after working with Kristen Ireland and Ellen Marlow, both members of the state-wide Youth Empowerment and Policy Project (YEPP) that developed the “Alcohol Retailer's Local Marketing Code of Conduct.” Peavey said that placing alcohol products and displays in areas less frequented by children and teens did not affect her overall alcohol sales, but was successful in reducing the impact of alcohol advertising on minors.
A breakfast will be held on March 19th for area retailers to provide them with the marketing guidelines recommended by YEPP so that they, too, can qualify for the Our Town, Our Children Award for their efforts to reduce the impact of alcohol marketing. Retailers who participate in the breakfast will be eligible to participate in a free Retail Beverage Service training by Frank Lyons offered on April 9th through the Healthy Waldo County coalition. Mr. Lyons is a former officer with Maine's Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. For more information, please contact Patrick Walsh of Broadreach Family & Community Services and the Healthy Waldo County coalition, at 338-2200 ext 109.
While most underage drinkers do not get alcohol directly from a store, the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey conducted by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse in 2006, showed that 49% of Maine high school seniors had used alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey, 38% of 10th graders and 21% of 8th graders. It also showed that 29% of high school seniors binge drink, 20% of 10th graders and 8% of 8th graders. Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks on one occasion. Youth who participate in underage drinking are at high risk for alcohol-related injuries and fatalities, rape, sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. According to national data, 20% of 18-20 year olds reported driving under the influence and 11% of fatal car crashes involved 16-20 year olds in 2006.
In addition to underage drinking, Healthy Waldo County is focusing on reducing high-risk drinking by young adults and the non-medical use of prescription drugs by youth and young adults.
Alex Knight and Ellen Marlow, YEPP members and Jo Peavey, Dead River Convenience Store Manager
Broadreach Family & Community Services, Gear Parent Network and the The Knox, Waldo, Lincoln Council on Transition
Collaboratively Present in Belfast:
February 12, 2008
(Tuesday) 6:00 to 8 p.m.
TOPIC: “Managing Your Child's Challenging Behaviors”
Guest Speakers: Kate Quinn Finlay, Assistant Executive Director and Cynthia Aho, LSW-c Children’s Case Management Coordinator - Broadreach Family & Community Services
Positive parenting power! Focus on positive guidance techniques and suggestions to support parents and children through busy everyday routines and more....
Workshop is FREE
Location: Capt Albert Stevens School Library, Elementary Lane, Belfast
To register or for more information contact:
Cindy Seekins, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
G.E.A.R. Parent Network
Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties
207-223-9993 or 1-800-264-9224
www.gearparentnetwork.com
Fabulous Food Fare coming Feb. 5!
All proceeds to benefit Mid-Coast Children's Services
Mid-Coast Children's Services' 22nd annual Fabulous Food Fare and Art Auction will be held on Tuesday, February 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.
Event Chair Marge Mitchell describes the Food Fare as a wonderful mid-winter outing where guests have come to expect excellent food selections from the midcoast's finest restaurants, as well as a splendid array of auction items donated by area artists.
This year's event is made possible due to the generosity of lead sponsor Camden National Bank. The event is the largest annual fundraiser for MCCS, a private, non-profit provider of preschool and social service programs for children (birth through age seven) with special needs and their families. Based in Rockland , MCCS also welcomes and serves many typically developing children in its inclusive preschool environment.
The following story of a former MCCS student underscores the value of early education and intervention:
At 18 months "Fred" was diagnosed with developmental delay and sensory integration dysfunction. Fred received the support he needed from MCCS from the age of 18 months until kindergarten. Thanks in part to this support Fred (who received a formal diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome in the 5th grade) recently graduated from one of the top 35 high schools in the entire United States . Without the skills instilled at the crucial early stage of his life by MCCS, Fred may not have made the journey he did.
The Fabulous Food Fare promises an evening of fantastic food and art---and an opportunity to help young children like "Fred" receive the best possible start to their education.
Mid-Coast Children's Services is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, which has been helping children and families in Midcoast Maine to lead healthy and productive lives since 1983.
For tickets or more information, contact MCCS at 594-8474.
Coming this spring:
Maine Early Language and Literacy Institute
Click link above for more information. January 2008
Workshop notice: "A Group For You"
Mid-Coast Children's Services is offering a monthly meeting for parents of young children with special needs.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month,
from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at 272 Park St. , Rockland .
Topic for January 8th:
"Looking back over the past year; looking ahead."
For more information, click
here.
Broadreach Family & Community Services, Gear Parent Network and the The Knox, Waldo, Lincoln Council on Transition
Collaboratively Present in Belfast:
New Year's Resolution
"Think About Your Child's Financial Future"
Family members come learn about guardianship,
supplemental needs trusts and general estate planning.
Guest Speaker: Lynn Williams, Esquire
Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Capt Albert Stevens School Library, Elementary Lane, Belfast
You are not alone! Parents, grandparents, foster parents and others raising or caring for a child/children with special needs gather once a month to educate and empower themselves; give and receive support and to share successes, difficulties, knowledge and resources. Cindy Seekins (G.E.A.R. Parent Network), Wanda Johnson (Broadreach Family & Community Services) and Bonnie Gallagher (MSAD 34 Teacher, MMRT B) are co-facilitating this group and bring in speakers on a variety of topics.
Are you worried about your child’s emotional well-being? Through parent-to-parent sharing of experiences and knowledge, G.E.A.R. empowers parents of children with behavioral health needs to build on their family’s strengths and to advocate for their family’s needs. Free services available to parents & families include: support by phone, monthly support groups, education, health & legal trainings and social opportunities. We are parents helping each other; we offer unconditional support – no blame, no shame and no judgment. We want you to know that you are not ALONE!
For more information or to register for this workshop, please call:
Cindy Seekins, Regional Parent Support Coordinator
Waldo, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, & Sagadahoc Counties
1-800-264-9224 or 223-9993
cseekins1@verizon.net
www.gearparentnetwork.com
OR Wanda Johnson, Broadreach 338-2200 Ext 123
G.E.A.R. is a Parent-to-Parent Network of Information & Support For Parents of Children with Emotional and Behavioral Needs
The Parent Education Program of Broadreach is supported with funding from DHHS, United Way of Eastern Maine and Maine Children's Trust.
G.E.A.R. is a program of Crisis & Counseling Centers and is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services
