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Jason Parent, ACAP CEO and Jamie Chandler, ACAP COO completed a pre-dawn mountain climb to greet the first rays of sun in the United States and mark 60 years of Community Action in America on the historic day of the Great American Eclipse. ACAP's service area - Aroostook County, Maine - is the first place in the nation to catch the rays of the sun in the spring and summer months, and on Monday was the last (and perhaps best) viewing spot in the country in the path of totality.

The Great American Eclipse Day activity on Monday, April 8, 2024, was part of a specially themed eclipse and mission-inspired year at ACAP with the catch-phrase “ACAP… Lighting the Way.” The messaging, and related community awareness building about all that ACAP does, is designed to coincide with the coming celestial activity, but more importantly reflect on the work to advance economic and social mobility that the agency leads or supports for people and communities in the largest geographic county east of the Mississippi River.

The eclipse celebration was also part of a nation-wide, year-long commemoration of six decades of impact Community Action Agencies have had across the nation, a milestone anniversary being recognized in 2024. It was in January 1964 that President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared “an unconditional war on poverty,” and in August of that year that he signed into law the Economic Opportunity Act, which among other programs led to the formation of what is now a network of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies nation-wide. Read More...

ACAP provides workforce development support through the federal program, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). This landmark legislation is designed to help get youth, adults, and dislocated workers with barriers to employment into high-quality jobs and careers. Individuals are encouraged to take an active role in managing their path to a sustainable career.   

Trained and dedicated career counselors assist job seekers with creating plans that overcome barriers and lead to employment. Plans can include training and education options, or job readiness and job search activities. Individuals will be offered assessments, career decision-making strategies, workshops on resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills, job preparation and information on employability skills. Funding is available to support approved training programs (both long and short term) and support services that help people stay in school or on the job. If you would like to learn more about this program, contact our office to connect to a coach.

In the video testimonial linked above, ACAP Customer, turned Team Member Brittany Warner, shares her success story.

ACAP Community Educator Malori Holmquist dropped off some lock boxes and bags to Maine Family Planning in Presque Isle. Storing cannabis and other medications in a locking box can help to prevent young people from accessing it. Locked storage containers also help to protect children and pets from accidental ingestion as cannabis edibles can be mistaken for candy.

For more information or education, please reach our Prevention Team at prevention@acap-me.org.

We are seeking your assistance with the Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine (CEFAM) needs assessment. The needs assessment aims to enhance understanding of family engagement needs in Maine, and more broadly, to improve family engagement within educational opportunities for children and families across the state. This assessment will inform the development of CEFAM projects and activities, ensuring they reflect the voices and experiences of Maine families. The survey can be found by clicking this link: Link to survey 

The Aroostook CA$H Coalition 2023 Tax Filing Season completed its final week of tax preparation last week. The program, which offered free tax preparation, resource navigation and personal financial management assistance, has been offering services since early February on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at ACAP's Presque Isle Customer Service Center. We want to thank our talented volunteers and community partners for making this program a success.

MyFreeTaxes helps people file their federal and state taxes for free and it's brought to you by United Way.

The self-preparation software (accessible by clicking here: Let us help you file your own taxes for free | MyFreeTaxes) is completely free. Individuals are connected to one of two self-preparation software options based on their income.

Maine Community Action Partnership (MeCAP) is pleased to be the recipient of a national Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research pilot grant to bring diapers to communities in Maine, including here in Aroostook County. Families who are struggling to meet their family’s diaper supply can apply to participate in the pilot research project. Those participating in ACAP’s pilot will meet monthly with a navigator to access wrap-around services they may be eligible for, complete periodic surveys to collect data on family well-being, and receive a monthly supply of diapers for their diaper wearing children. This is a two-year pilot project open to 100 children in Aroostook County. 

Did you know that diapering a young child is the fourth highest expense for a family? Diapers and diapering supplies fall right behind, housing, food and child care.

Did you know that having access to diapers can determine if a parent is able to access childcare and go to work? Without a steady diaper supply, a family cannot access childcare and without childcare, a family cannot go to work. Ultimately, diapers play a role in the economic stability of the workforce in a community. 

If you and your family are interested in this diaper distribution project, please complete this questionnaire, linked below. ACAP will be in touch with families who apply to determine eligibility and participation in the research project.

As communities across the country, including here in Aroostook County, grapple with a shortage of available childcare to meet the needs of working parents, Early Care and Education Leaders at ACAP sit down for a conversation about the measures being taken here in The County to help alleviate the crunch. ACAP Program Coordinators Karen Page, Amy Murchison and Katie McQuade join ACAP Executive Director/CEO Jason Parent for the feature interview on this month's edition of ACAP Today.

Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The focus of the week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

ACAP is excited for another fun-filled week celebrating young children and their families with hands in collaborative activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, art and food.

Our team will share photos from across our centers and we will include them in next week's edition.

Register your child for ACAP's Head Start Program. Head Start is provided to eligible families with preschool children 3 through 5 years old. Early Head Start is provided to children ages birth to 3 and/or pregnant moms. Head Start and Early Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood development program providing individualized education plans, health and social services, parent education and involvement, nutritious meals and special services as needed for enrolled children.

These programs are provided primary to families with an income level at or below 100% poverty guidelines, receiving TANF, SNAP, SSI, children in foster care and/or families experience homelessness.

More information and an application can be found at: https://acap-me.org/programs/earlycareeducation/ or by calling 207-764-3721 ext. 224

Local and state resources are available for those interested in quitting nicotine products.

MaineQuitLink offers tools to support individuals when they are ready to quit smoking, vaping or other tobacco use. Phone coaching and online tools are available as well as free nicotine patches, gums, or lozenges.

My Life My Quit is designed for ages 13-17 and offers supports and resources to support teens in quitting smoking or vaping. Free resources and promotional materials are also available for parents/guardians and communities.

ACAP Community Educators are available to link individuals to state and local quit resources. Contact us at 207-764-3721 or prevention@acap-me.org to see how we can help.

SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK

Did you know that ACAP has Community Cupboards strategically located throughout Aroostook County at different offices and centers? With the support of generous partners, we are able to shop for shelf stable foods and share them at different locations to meet a community need. Shopping for our local cupboards is a task enjoyed by many members of our team. Above, Kim Guerrette Michaud, Community Educator and Jamie Guerrette, HR Generalist, have a little fun after a big shop.

For 60 years, the nation’s Community Action Network has inspired a spirit of hope, helped millions of people each year change their lives, and improved communities all across America. Learn more...