A Great Vision (FHM, printable copy), Updated July 2011
Projects and outcomes of the hm ps 07 10
1. Projects and Outcomes of the
Healthy Maine Partnership
Local Community and School Programs
Developed by
Health Policy Partners of Maine
Updated, July 2010
AKO 7/10
2. ACCESS Health (14)
Director: Amanda Hopkins
66 Baribeau Drive, Suite 5A
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 373-6925
Fax: (207) 373-6974
ahopkins@midcoasthealth.com
Co-facilitated FUEL, a 6-week after school program that promotes healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle
strategies for children and their families at the Bath YMCA.
Participated in local Food Security Coalition and worked with University of Maine Cooperative Extension to
deliver nutrition education programs to food pantry clients. Worked with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention
Project to build 2 additional raised bed gardens for a total of 5 gardens on site for client education and use.
Collaborated with Communities Against Substance Abuse to integrate tobacco prevention & intervention
into substance abuse prevention programs offered at area schools.
Provided “Thinking about Quitting” sessions to clients at Addition Resource Center and Tedford Housing.
Supported Brunswick Youth Advocacy Program in coordinating and delivering a series of video recordings
titled “Tobacco Free Tuesday” that aired school wide every Tuesday for 7 weeks.
Established sustainable after school bicycle club for students at Mt. Ararat Middle School through
partnerships with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Bowdoin College, SAD 75 and local volunteers.
Coordinated trainings for Matter of Balance, a fall prevention program, which resulted in 12 new trainers and
104 community residents completing the 8 week program.
Worked with Brunswick elementary schools to establish year round walk and bike to school days. Surveyed
334 parents regarding barriers to walking and biking to school and presented information to stakeholders.
Delivered “In a Heart Beat”, a heart attack awareness presentation to numerous worksites & at risk groups.
SAD 75 is one of four school systems in Maine participating in an innovative staff health promotion program
with Anthem, Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust. The pilot is
modeled after the successful Health Risk Assessment (HRA) programs used in Maine businesses and is
designed to reduce the growth in health care costs by improving the health of school staff. For over a year,
employees have been meeting with a Health Coach to help manage health risks.
TOWNS
Arrowsic Harpswell (HMP only)
Bath Phippsburg
Bowdoin Richmond (CCHC only)
Bowdoinham Topsham
Brunswick (HMP only) West Bath
Freeport (YAP group only) Woolwich
Georgetown
3. Bangor Region Public Health and Wellness (18)
Director: Jamie Comstock
103 Texas Avenue
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 992-4466
jamie.comstock@bangormaine.gov
www.bangormaine.gov
The coalition’s home office, located at 103 Texas Avenue in Bangor, became smoke-free in 2006. In 2007 the
City of Bangor became the first municipality in the nation to ban smoking in cars when children under 18 are
present. The coalition is active in the University of Maine Tobacco-free Campus efforts to become the first
tobacco-free campus in Maine.
Bangor Region Public Health and Wellness successfully launched the What You Do Matters brand to provide
easy to understand health and wellness information in a variety of formats including a monthly health
newsletter (over 11,000 people reached each month), website (www.WhatYouDoMatters.org) and radio
PSAs.
Work continues with five student youth groups who are engaged in health and wellness initiatives in venues
including SAUs, churches and alternative schools.
The Penquis District is always working to establish economies of scale and create efficiencies. Collaborative
district projects include: What You Do Matters public health campaign, district-wide media releases, early
childcare trainings in collaboration with Penquis Resource Development Center, lead poisoning prevention
and colorectal cancer screening awareness work. .
Food security and nutrition education efforts are an important part of our work. We are supporting several
community gardens this year, and are working to expand Farm to School efforts by bringing local farmers
and school nutrition directors together to discuss increased purchases of locally grown foods in school lunch
programs. We are also conducting nutrition trainings at local food pantries.
Our work around tobacco issues is beginning to pay off. The Bangor Fair will host the state’s first ‘Smoke
Free Midway’ this year and the University of Maine, Orono campus will become tobacco free on January 1,
2011—the first in Maine. Additionally, venues such as the Bangor Waterfront and American Folk Festival are
making significant efforts to control the areas where smoking is allowed.
TOWNS
Bangor Hermon
Brewer Holden
Clifton Newburgh
Eddington Orono
Glenburn Orrington
Hampden Veazie
4. Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition (8)
Director: Mary Jane Bush
P.O. Drawer X
Bucksport, Maine 04416
(207) 469-6682
mjbush@bucksportbayhealth.org
www.bucksportbayhealth.org
Recruited more than 150 community volunteers to the coalition to work on improving the health and quality
of life of Bucksport Bay citizens.
Established collaborations to implement three self-sustaining chronic care support programs: Matter of
Balance, Living Well and Strength Training. Through these programs, more than 176 individuals were served.
Through a community strategy of increased law enforcement on underage drinking and expanded teen
prevention programs, cigarette use by teens dropped by 8.6%; teen alcohol use fell by 12.7%; marijuana use
by teens was reduced by 5.8% from 2006-2009 as measured by the Maine Youth Drug Alcohol Use Survey
(MYDAUS) and Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS).
Assisted in securing more than $1,020,000 in grant funding for local health, prevention and social service
programs.
Implemented Get Fit – Let’s Go, a nine-week adult team challenge program that encouraged weight loss and
increased physical activity. Eleven teams formed comprising 95 participants who lost 718 pounds and
increased physical activity by 2,278 hours.
The Bucksport Coordinated School Health Program applied for and received the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable
grant. Students from kindergarten will receive free fresh fruits and vegetables everyday at school.
As part of a community wide strategy to improve nutrition, RSU 25 hired a nutrition consultant to conduct a
complete review of the school food service program. This review focused, in part, to decrease the use of
processed foods and increase the production of fresh fruits and vegetables.
TOWNS
Bucksport
Orland
Prospect
Verona
5. Choose To Be Healthy (26)
Director: Deborah Erickson-Irons
15 Hospital Dr.
York, ME 03909
(207) 439-6504
Fax: (207) 439-8764
derickson-irons@yorkhospital.com
The school systems in Kittery, Wells/Ogunquit and SAD 60 have implemented the Let’s Go 5210 child obesity
prevention program in all schools and several child care centers. They have brought farm-to-school,
gardening and composting projects to their communities. Lebanon Elementary School received a State
produce grant to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
A three-year relationship with eight local food pantry and meal site coordinators continues with a focus on
improving the nutritional status of clients. This group meets monthly and partners with Cooperative
Extension, York County Food Rescue and the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
Our Worksite Wellness Program assists over 20 local businesses to implement programming that improves
the health of employees in order to reduce health care costs. Technical assistance is provided on tobacco
cessation, tobacco policies and current State laws, Drug-free Workplace policies, healthy weight
management, and other topics.
Nearly 50 local youth from throughout our service area have participated in our Youth Advocacy Programs.
Their focus has been on tobacco prevention/cessation and substance abuse prevention.
We have partnered with 7 recreation departments to provide child obesity prevention training to their staff.
We helped over 240 restaurant and store staff, owners, and managers to reduce the incidence of serving or
selling alcohol to under-aged individuals by providing Responsible Seller Server Trainings and the Card Me
program, as well as by developing and distributing local and state signage and materials.
We created a regional Southern York County Law Enforcement team from the towns of York, Eliot, South
Berwick, Wells and Kittery that collaborates to enforce laws that help reduce underage and high risk adult
drinking. Approximately 50 enforcement activities occurred between April 2009 and June 2010, resulting in
108 arrests/citations. Six of these were for adults providing/furnishing alcohol.
We partnered with York High School to implement a new adolescent substance abuse prevention and
treatment program, Making Change, by acquiring funding, training staff, educating the community, and
offering a free weekly youth substance abuse support group that is open to all area youth.
TOWNS
Berwick Ogunquit
Eliot South Berwick
Kittery Wells
Lebanon York
North Berwick
6. Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition (27)
Director: Megan Rochelo, MPH
655 Main Street, 1st Floor
Saco, ME 04072
(207) 602-3550
(207) 283-4138
mrochelo@une.edu
CHCC has collaborated with Southern Maine Medical Center to restart their “Be Tobacco Free” cessation
program. This is a free community program which includes four sessions each month with a trained Tobacco
Cessation Specialist who helps individuals develop and follow through with a plan to end their tobacco use.
During the first four months of the class we had over 15 people participating in each session.
CHCC's Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days program is the 2008 winner of the Maine Governor’s Council on Physical
Activity Contest for Communities Award. In 2010, the 9th year of the program, the coalition had over 300
participants. This is a free annual walking program targeted at community members and worksites to help
support and increase physical activity through weekly education and incentives.
From June 2008 to July 2010, the coalition collaborated with local law enforcement departments to provide
the On-Premise Alcohol Server Training to over 168 employees of restaurants, bars and clubs. The training is
designed to better equip management, wait staff and licensees on identifying and preventing violations of
certain liquor laws with an emphasis on underage and high risk drinkers.
As part of the Coordinated School Health Program in Old Orchard Beach, CCHC worked with the school
health coordinator to revise the school curriculum to increase the amount of physical education for sixth,
seventh and eighth grade students from one quarter per year to a 50 minute class block a week. This change
also includes a personalized fitness plan for each student.
In 2009- 2010 CHCC awarded four organizations with Powerful Youth Mini-Grants. The organizations
receiving the awards were: Community Bike Center in Biddeford, Middle School of the Kennebunks, The New
School in Kennebunk, ML Day School in Arundel, and Thornton Academy Middle School in Saco. The funds
support healthy living projects that are focused on increasing youth involvement in accomplishing social,
policy and environmental change which improve youth health. In addition, CHCC has continued its support of
the Biddeford Teen Center and Bonny Eagle Middle School Health Club in their youth-driven tobacco
prevention and health lifestyle projects.
TOWNS
Arundel
Biddeford
Buxton
Dayton
Hollis
Kennebunk
Kennebunkport
Old Orchard Beach
Saco
7. Communities Promoting Health Coalition (7)
(Healthy Lakes Region/Healthy Rivers Region)
Director: Lucie Rioux
510 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 553-5839
Fax: (207) 874-1140
lrioux@propeople.org
The Communities Promoting Health Coalition received federal funding in the amount of $1.4 million through
Communities Putting Prevention to Work to increase physical activity and improve nutrition in the region.
Eight parent Meet-ups on Underage Drinking - also known as “Table Talks” - were held with 75 parents.
Additionally 13 facilitators were trained to conduct future Table Talks.
Three Substance Abuse Prevention Tip Sheets for Parents were created and distributed to over 5000 parents.
Prom and Graduation Tips advertisements were included in 5 local papers in 3 separate issues.
Trained over 75 seller/servers in Responsible Beverage Service and worked with 25 stores to implement the
CardME program.
Trained teachers and helped facilitate the “WreckEd” program, an evidenced based substance abuse
program for teens. At the end of the program, over 300 parents attended a parent prevention education
session facilitated by CPHC staff.
Outreach to dining and drinking establishments regarding Maine’s smoke-free outdoor dining law has been
an ongoing initiative over the last year. Work on this initiative has included a county-wide outreach mailing
to all the eating/drinking establishments; the creation of local HMP materials to promote the law; use of
media to promote awareness of the law; ongoing distribution of local and state awareness materials to
restaurant establishments throughout the county; and providing technical assistance to establishments.
Successfully created and supported a YAP group at the Lake Region High School to work with their food
service director to offer healthier options in their cafeteria. Mahoney Middle School YAP group coordinated
two walk and bike to school events in their school with over 200 youth and staff participating. Westbrook
Middle School YAP group also coordinated a walk and bike to school event with close to 100 participants.
In collaboration with the South Portland School Department Food Service Director, Avesta Housing,
Communities Partnering to Protect Children (CPPC), and community members, Healthy Rivers organized a
summer breakfast program in the West End neighborhood of South Portland. The USDA summer breakfast
program has been successful at feeding youth and engaging parents living in the West End.
TOWNS
Cape Elizabeth Bridgton Westbrook Raymond
Gorham Casco Windham Sebago
Scarborough Harrison Baldwin Standish
South Portland Naples
8. Greater Somerset Public Health Collaborative (3)
(Somerset Heart Health)
Director: Bill Primmerman
PO Box 468
31 Commercial Street
Skowhegan, Maine 04976
(207) 474-7473
bprimmerman@RFGH.net
Somerset Heart Health (SHH) has worked with 30 businesses to adopt tobacco and substance abuse policies:
five of these businesses now have tobacco-free grounds. Most have also made changes to incorporate more
physical activity and better nutrition on-site. 250 businesses received signage and education on the dangers
of second hand smoke.
SHH served 180 citizens through the Quit and Win Program with an average of 48-52% success rate the first 5
weeks and a 32% success rate after 6 months out.
The collaborative has again leveraged more than a quarter of a million dollars in outside grants for the past
two years to do work around physical activity and nutrition and worksite wellness.
SHH assisted Skowhegan and Bingham in establishing summer food programs for children and served over
8,000 meals in the summer of 2009.
All five school systems are working on Coordinated School Health programs. The collaborative has three
systems with Youth Action Programs (YAP) groups, four systems have wellness teams, all have wellness
policies and tobacco-free campuses, five have after school programs and 4 have summer programs for their
students and Life Skills is being taught in MSAD 54 and 59.
There are twelve sites across within the service area that have indoor walking for the public thanks to school
and community access to buildings. More than 450 people have enrolled in the Move More program during
2009-2010.
Working with the local Cooperative Extension Office, the collaborative has assisted more than 200 people of
all ages to access container gardens and three communities have community gardens. In 2009-2010, through
the collaborative Growing Healthy Initiative, SHH assisted in starting a farm to school program in MSAD 59
processing local produce and local high school students held a local foods supper as a fund raising
opportunity for the School system and Rotary Feed The Kids Program. SNAP Ed. Curriculum was taught to 62
alternative education students
TOWNS
Anson Central Somerset Madison Norridgewock
Athens Cornville Mercer Pleasant Ridge
Bingham Embden Moose River Skowhegan
Brighton Highland Moscow Smithfield
Canaan Jackman New Portland Solon
Caratunk
9. Greater Waterville Planned Approach to Community Health (4)
Director: LeeAnna Lavoie, CHES
30 Chase Ave
Waterville, ME 04901
(207) 872-4127
Fax: (207) 861-5277
llavoie@mainegeneral.org
In 2009, PATCH started working on our local Community Health Improvement Plan, with identified priorities
including: Domestic Violence, Transportation, Dental Health, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Obesity, Tobacco
and Substance Abuse.
In January 2008 the N. Kennebec Underage Drinking Task Force was created with law enforcement officers
from Oakland, Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield and the Kennebec Sheriff’s Department. They conducted cross
jurisdictional special enforcement and compliance details that resulted in over 300 summonses relating to
violations of underage drinking laws. This has resulted in over a 5% increase in the # of youth (12-18)
believing they will be caught by police or parents if using alcohol.
Over 160 employers representing stores/bars/restaurants that sell or serve alcohol have received Retail
Beverage Server/Seller (RBS) Certification in our service area. RBS trainings were coordinated with our 3
District HMP partners that resulted in over 400 employees being trained since September of 2008.
In the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 the Move More (MM) subcommittee provided 6 week walking classes
through adult ed. for 24 community members. The MM website was redesigned www.movemore.org.
Partnered with United Way of Mid-Maine to coordinated food drives with local businesses that promote
healthy giving options. Developed tool kits for local Food Pantries to help educate their patrons on healthy
food options, shopping smart, preparing healthy meals, and preparing for winter.
Made contact with 90 new businesses regarding worksite wellness services available to them free of charge.
Seven new businesses are now implementing the Healthy Works Framework. Partnered with Federally
Qualified Health Centers to their patients about www.KeepMEWell.org. Information is shared with patients
in the waiting area and all exam rooms.
Project Integrate! continues to identify and address the barriers to effective tobacco treatment for people
with behavioral Health diagnoses; to increase the capacity of providers to encourage and support tobacco-
free living; and to advocate for state level policy changes.
Farm to School initiative at the Albert S. Hall School. We collaborated with Barrels Community Market in
WTVL and One Drop Farm in Cornville to do a lunch once a month which included local foods. Ann Mefferd, a
local farmer, talked with students during lunch, explaining how they grow things on their farm. Barrells told
students about their farmers market on Main St. in Waterville, and David Gulak visited a class and helped
them plant the seeds for their summer "pizza garden".
TOWNS
Albion Rome China Vassalboro
Belgrade Sidney Fairfield Waterville
Benton Unity Township Oakland Winslow
10. Healthy Acadia (9)
Director: Doug Michael
P.O. Box 962
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
(207) 288-5331
doug@healthyacadia.org
www.healthyacadia.org
Healthy Acadia was one of three New England organizations to receive a Community Partnership Award from
KIDS Consortium in 2009 for successful collaboration with students on service-learning projects.
50 schools and 20 farms in Hancock and Washington Counties are participating in our Farm to School
Program, purchasing and serving local foods while teaching nutrition education. More than 2000 low-income
children now have access to healthy meals at school.
Healthy Acadia has assisted more than 300 housing units, 12 healthcare facilities, 3 playgrounds, and several
major employers to adopt smoke-free policies protecting citizens from toxic tobacco smoke. Healthy Acadia
also worked with Acadia National Park to increase smoke-free outdoor spaces. Sand Beach, Echo Lake Beach,
and campground amphitheaters are now designated as smoke-free areas.
Healthy Acadia’s community partnerships have generated new sidewalks in Southwest Harbor, a playground
in Bar Harbor, a basketball court on Frenchboro Island, a walking trail in Trenton, a skateboard ramp in Bar
Harbor, and an exercise program for people with developmental disabilities at Downeast Horizons, providing
children and families with safe places to be physically active.
Last year, Healthy Acadia leveraged three additional dollars and many volunteer hours for every Fund for a
Healthy Maine dollar received, expanding investment in local public health improvement.
This year Healthy Acadia connected over 100 low-income seniors with the Senior Farm Share Program,
providing them with fresh produce at no cost from two nearby farms. We also reached out to 200 food
pantry clients with information on the Share the Harvest Program, a stipend for fresh produce at a local
organic farm stand. This year approximately 40 people were awarded stipends through Share the Harvest.
TOWNS
Bar Harbor
Cranberry Isles
Frenchboro
Lamoine
Mount Desert
Southwest Harbor
Swans Island
Tremont
Trenton
11. Healthy Androscoggin (22)
Interim Director: Erin Guay
300 Main St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 795-5990
info@healthyandroscoggin.org
www.healthyandroscoggin.org
Healthy Androscoggin’s Youth Groups, through the Auburn Middle School, developed a tobacco-free policy
for all Androscoggin Land Trust-owned properties. The group the posted the lands with tobacco-free signage.
Convened the Wellness Council of Androscoggin County to provide a space for employee wellness champions
to network, learn about local resources and share their experiences in creating policy and environmental
change in their organizations.
40 employers in Androscoggin County were recognized at an Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce
Work Healthy Breakfast for policies that support over 9,965 employees in achieving healthy lifestyles.
Assisted 96 people quit smoking through the Quit & Win Program in 2008/2009; 16 participants were still
tobacco-free 6 months after the program. 102 participated in the program in 2009/2010.
Lewiston Public School's Coordinated School Health Program developing Wellness Teams in each of the
system’s 8 schools. Developed and implemented the Athletes Guide to High School Lunch Menus.
Distributed over 3,400 Healthy Androscoggin Farm Guides to Androscoggin County since October 2009,
which connect Androscoggin residents with local produce, Farmers’ Markets and other resources.
Participated in the Healthy Homes Healthy Families Partnership, which has educated 88 downtown Lewiston
and Auburn residents about lead poisoning prevention, pest prevention, food sanitation and nutrition. 84 of
these participants identified themselves as New Mainers.
Supported over 700 participants in the 2009 Get Fit & Win Program to set exercise goals, while promoting
local places and ways to be active.
Won award from MAPSA for the collaboration between Healthy Androscoggin and Androscoggin County Law
Enforcement in creating the Alcohol Investigator Position held by Officer Tim Darnell.
Assisted in coordinating a prescription medication collection event. There were over 150 area households
that dropped off a total of over 8,000 controlled medications and 350 pounds of non-controlled medications.
TOWNS
Auburn Lewiston Poland
Durham Lisbon Sabattus
Greene Mechanic Falls Turner
Leeds Minot Wales
12. Healthy Aroostook (1)
Director: Carol Bell
PO Box 1116, 771 Main Street
Presque Isle, Maine 04769
(207) 768-3056 x 629
Fax: (207) 768-3022
cbell@acap-me.org
In 2009, 22 people attended the basic skills tobacco training, including 13 social service providers. Provided
information to over 500 businesses in central and southern Aroostook County regarding the “Workplace Smoking Act”
that went into effect in September 2009, and assisted several in revising their tobacco policies.
In collaboration with Power of Prevention, over 250 sellers and servers of alcohol have had “Responsible Beverage
Server” training. In addition, liquor licensees across the county have been assisted with the development of best
practice alcohol sales policies. To date, these policies have impacted over 125 employees in the retail setting.
Collaborated with North Maine Woods for support of enforcement of underage drinking parties.
Promoted Let’s Go 5210, which is a community-based initiative promoting healthy lifestyle choices for children, youth,
and families. As of February 2010, we had 53 intervention sites including 31 schools, 10 childcare centers, 7 healthcare
sites, 4 recreation departments and 1 Girl Scout troop. Gardens were planted at 2 schools and vegetable were used in
the school lunch program. Information on the new Breastfeeding lactation law was sent to 220 businesses to inform
them of the law and offer assistance. Story walk was also promoted at all 5210 intervention sites; many of the sites
have incorporated walking into the story to increase physical activity.
In collaboration with Power of Prevention developed a Physical Activity Resource Guide to promote low and no cost
opportunities, distributed 5000 countywide. In collaboration with many partners in the county, we started working on
finding and mapping all non-motorized trails that are open to the public. Once finished, this information will be
available on the web and promoted to residents and potential tourists.
In collaboration with Power of Prevention, developed an Asthma Manual Resource Guide and provided one to each
healthcare center. Collaborated with local physician to develop commercial on asthma triggers including secondhand
smoke. Colon Cancer funding was used to develop a low literacy brochure on what you need to know about colon
cancer, which was also translated into French.
In March 2010, APE (Aroostook Partnership Extravaganza) Youth Summit was held for students in Grades 6 – 8. There
were over 600 participants. This was our largest youth summit ever and all 11 school districts in Healthy Aroostook’s
service area sent students. The keynote presentation focused on tobacco and alcohol prevention and 24 workshops
related to health and wellness were offered.
TOWNS
Amity Hersey New Limerick Caswell Ludlow Reed
Ashland Hodgdon Oakfield Chapman Macwahoc Sherman
Bancroft Houlton Orient Crystal Mapleton Smyrna
Blaine Island Falls Oxbow Dyer Brook Mars Hill South Aroostook
Bridgewater Limestone Perham Easton Masardis Wade
Cary Linneus Portage Lake Fort Fairfield Merrill Washburn
Castle Hill Littleton Presque Isle Garfield Monticello Westfield
Hammond Moro Weston Haynesville Nashville
13. Healthy Casco Bay (6)
Director: Anne Tricomi, MPH
134 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 541-6957
Fax: (207) 541-6959
act@portlandmaine.gov
www.healthycascobay.org
Healthy Casco Bay (HCB) provides technical assistance to groups working to create bike/ped policies and
infrastructure (sidewalks, walkways, etc). In July 2010, the coalition assisted with the first ever Yarmouth
Clam Festival Bike Valet, put on by the Yarmouth Bike/Ped Committee and the Bike Coalition of Maine, to
serve over 380 bicycle commuters.
HCB was awarded a National City and County Health Officer (NACCHO) Action Communities for Health
Innovation and Environmental Change (ACHIEVE) grant for a 3-year period, beginning in 2010. ACHIEVE
funding will enable HCB to expand its capacity in the first year and fund initiatives and projects that will serve
as models for other HMPs in the subsequent two years.
HCB partners with existing health and fitness organizations to expand physical activity and local nutrition
opportunities. In 2010, HCB brokered relationships with Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Pineland Farm, Skyline Farm,
and Pettengill Farm for opportunities to open the non-farm areas to the public for physical activity, while
promoting the fresh produce at the farm as well.
In accordance with the new state smoke-free outdoor dining law, HCB has successfully addressed outdoor
fair and festival smoking at both the Yarmouth Clam Festival and the Cumberland County Fair.
TOWNS
Brunswick (CCHC only)
Chebeague Island
Cumberland
Falmouth
Freeport
Gray
Harpswell (CCHC only)
Long Island
New Gloucester
North Yarmouth
Pownal
Yarmouth
14. Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (5)
Director: Joanne E.A. Joy
36 Brunswick Ave.
Gardiner, ME 04345
(207) 588-5011
Fax: (207) 582-5804
j.joy@healthycommunitiesme.org
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) works with all school systems in Southern Kennebec
County. HCCA provides funding and technical assistance to support Youth Voices student groups in Gardiner
and Winthrop who work to decrease substance and tobacco use, among youth. RSU 2 and 4, have received
DOE funds to begin School Health Leadership Councils (SHLC) and we provide technical assistance (TA). HCCA
also provides funding and TA for School Health Leadership Councils in Monmouth and Maranacook Area
Schools. HCCA partners with other youth-serving organizations such as Head Start, YMCA, and Boys and Girls
Clubs to develop policy and implement environmental change strategies to support wellness efforts.
HCCA’s full-time nationally certified Worksite Wellness employee supports small businesses across Southern
Kennebec County. She will speak, free of charge, to Rotary Clubs, the Chamber of Commerce and other
employer-related meetings and assists in creating and maintaining an on-line inventory of wellness needs for
local businesses, working to save money while supporting employees to be healthier. She assists small
employers to use the FREE Healthy Maine Works on-line resource.
HCCA has formed a service area-wide Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition with representatives from
schools, law enforcement, and other organizations, and received a federal grant to continue and expand that
work. HCCA funds a collaborative agreement among five area law enforcement agencies who work together
to increase the enforcement of Maine’s underage drinking laws and policies.
HCCA continues to reach out to diverse formal and informal partners as the coalition develops their
Community Health Improvement Plan. Input included 20 minutes on existing meeting agendas to ask for
input about community health and quality of life issues. HCCA has met with over 400 people from many
groups including PTAs, Senior Housing Committees, United Way Board members, KVYMCA, teen afterschool
programs and others from their 19 communities. The plan will be completed in April 2011.
HCCA works closely with its funded partner, Gardiner Area Schools supporting both staff wellness, and
student health. A remarkable success has been the SPARK efforts at Pittston Consolidated School which
offers daily physical education to all 5th graders. The project established the benefits of daily PE on physical
fitness, academic performance, and behavior, and more elementary schools in the RSU are adopting the
daily physical education model.
TOWNS
Augusta Litchfield Readfield Hallowell
Chelsea Manchester Richmond (HMP only) Randolph
Farmingdale Monmouth Vienna Windsor
Fayette Mount Vernon Wayne Winthrop
Gardiner Pittston West Gardiner
15. Healthy Community Coalition (23)
Director: Kelly Bentley, MPH, PHd(c)
105 Mt. Blue Circle, Suite #1
Farmington, ME 04938
(207) 779-2935 phone
Fax: (207) 778-5797
KBentley@fchn.org
HCC's tobacco program successes include 15 Greater Franklin County businesses providing tobacco
treatment support to over 900 employees, in addition through the same Western District Work Healthy!
Program in Franklin County alone 1,500 employees were affected by tobacco prevention policy changes. 18
area home daycare providers were training in confident conversation around tobacco and new State tobacco
laws related to youth and daycare settings.
In February of 2010, Healthy Community Coalition Tobacco Program staff work with their parent
organization Franklin Community Health Network to update the network and it's affiliates tobacco-free
policy. The policy changes included the removal of exceptions for special cases, and grandfathered
employees. Most importantly HCC was able to facilitate the process of developing protocols for tobacco
treatment support being offered to employees who wish to quit. The policy now support employees who
make healthy behavior changes buy providing reimbursement for those individuals engaged in approved
treatment programs.
HCC has held 10 RBS trainings throughout Greater Franklin County in the past year and a half, Training over
50 on and off-premise establishments and 184 employees using state approved alcohol server trainings. HCC
has had great success with all RSB trainings. Local alcohol licensees call looking for more trainings, they truly
understand the great importance of substance abuse prevention and what they can do, as retailers, to help
make the community a healthier place to live.
As part of an ongoing local food initiative, HCC has worked several area partners to promote the
consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables, with a special focus on SNAP Ed participants and other
low income families. Program highlights include the Hope Harvest Garden, which donated fresh vegetables
to nine area food pantries and Mauer Meals, which helped promote local farmers markets and farm
stands among local businesses. HCC also helped distribute “Vegetable Vouchers”, which gives some food
pantry clients access to fresh vegetables during the summer time and to introduce them to farmers near
them. HCC also attended several outreach events at local warming centers through winter, held at area
churches, distributing HMP information around nutrition and Keep Me Well.
TOWNS
Avon Madrid Jay
Carrabassett Valley New Sharon Kingfield
Carthage New Vineyard Livermore Falls
Chesterville Phillips Livermore
Coplin Rangeley Weld
Dallas Rangeley Wilton
East Central Franklin Sandy River Wyman
Eustis South Franklin
Farmington Strong
Industry Temple
16. Healthy Lincoln County (15)
Director: Rebecca Morin
PO Box 721/597 US Route 1
Newcastle, ME, 04543
(207) 563-6123
Fax: (207) 563-7173
hlchmp@midcoast.com
Healthy Lincoln County (HLC) established a new tobacco policy in collaboration with AOS #93 (Central Lincoln County
School System) School Health Coordinator for all schools within the AOS and Lincoln Academy. Ongoing support is
being provided for this policy through the development of Alternative to Suspension Programs/options developed by
the HLC Tobacco Committee, facilitated by the Midcoast District Tobacco Coordinator.
Developed and conducted a successful training for facility and home-based childcare providers. The Confident
Conversations training was presented to 19 childcare providers from across Lincoln County. This training was also an
introductory event and included topic presentations on portion control/healthy weight management, healthy sleep
and lead poisoning prevention. Follow up mailings and communication are ongoing with another training being
planned for Fall, 2010.
Initiated the 7th annual mid-winter physical activity event called “Surfin’ To Sydney”. A total of 600 people, enrolled in
the program that lasted from January to early March. This program was particularly successful in the school setting
with promotion conducted by AOS #93 School Health Coordinator.
Ongoing worksite wellness support is being provided to Spectrum Generations, Healthy Kids!, The First Bankorp,
Mobius, Inc. Hodgdon Yachts and Washburn & Doughty, Inc. Our coalition is supporting these worksites in their health
promotion efforts through policy development and implementation, community coordination for health oriented
presentations and as needed requests for supplemental prevention information.
HLC staff, working in partnership with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Police Departments in Boothbay
Harbor, Damariscotta, Waldoboro and Wiscasset offered four Alcohol Seller/Server trainings to county liquor licensees
in 2009-2010. Law enforcement hand delivered invitations resulting in over 50 establishments and 150 individuals
receiving training and certificates.
Over the past year our Coalition has grown to include representatives from New Hope for Women, Watershed Center
for Ceramic Arts, FARMS, Teens To Trails, Maine Medical Association, and residents of Waldoboro, Dresden and the
Boothbay Region. Internally, we are working to create a shared mission across the action teams and sub-committees of
the Coalition. Action teams include our Tobacco Committee and Family & Children Work Group and our sub-
committee/coalitions include Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA). Capacity building and diversifying the
coalition to best represent the needs of our community has been a priority.
TOWNS
Alna Newcastle Dresden Westport
Boothbay Harbor Nobleboro Edgecomb Whitefield
Boothbay Somerville Jefferson Wiscasset
Bremen South Bristol Monhegan
Bristol Southport
Damariscotta Waldoboro
17. Healthy Oxford Hills (24)
Director: Ken Morse
181 Main St.
Norway, ME 04268
(207) 739-6222
ken@healthyoxfordhills.org
www.healthyoxfordhills.org
In December 2008, Healthy Oxford Hills (HOH) hosted the 8th Annual Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Conference. Each year this popular day-long session is sold out.
HOH is engaged in planning 8 miles of trails on the Roberts Farm preserve on a hillside above Norway Lake, in
collaboration with the Western Foothills Land Trust. HOH is also progressing in getting all the licenses and
permits to allow construction of a trail connecting Oxford Hills Middle and High School, running along the
Little Androscoggin, using a $160,000 New Balance Foundation grant.
Co-sponsored Wellness Incorporated Now, a year-long self-management program aimed at pre-diabetics, in
collaboration with diabetes educators, the food service, the WOW Council at Stephens Memorial Hospital
and MaineHealth Target Diabetes. This MaineHealth pilot project started January 6th, 2009.
Received federal SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamp Nutrition Ed)
grant to implement nutrition education in Oxford Hills. This program focuses on educating people about
growing and cooking local foods.
HOH helped organize a Teen Summit at Oxford Hills High School that lead to an ongoing Teens for Change
group working on seven different service learning programs.
The MSAD#39 implemented the 10-10-10 Club, a new staff wellness initiative that lasts 10 weeks. During
that time participants attempt to lose one pound per week and contribute $10 into a weight-loss pool. At the
end of the 10 weeks, the person who has lost the most weight wins the pool. The first 10-10-10 Challenge
ran in December 2008 and January 2009 over the Holiday season. During this period the average person lost
5-6 pounds. The second round will run Feb-April 2009 over school break. Participation in the second round
includes a 1-month gym membership.
TOWNS
Brownfield Otisfield
Buckfield Oxford
Denmark Paris
Hartford Porter
Hebron Sumner
Hiram Waterford
Norway West Paris
18. Healthy Peninsula (10)
Director: Amy Vaughn
PO Box 945
Blue Hill, Maine 04614
(207) 374-3257
Fax: (207) 374-5175
www.healthypeninsula.org
The Learning Garden at Penobscot Community School has provided a positive hands-on learning experience
for students, parents, staff, and community members since 2006. The goal is to provide students with more
nutritional food choices and promote healthier eating habits, both at school and at home. With a mini-grant
from Healthy Peninsula, a greenhouse was built for planting greens and other vegetables.
With help from the Blue Hill Co-Op and Healthy Peninsula, the Sedgwick Elementary School started a new
community-school garden in 2008. The Sedgwick Pre-K and 2nd grade participated in intensive nutrition
education programs and with funds from Maine Initiatives. Healthy Peninsula is also collaborating with the
Blue Hill Co-op to integrate a nutrition education program, “Cook Shop” in the 2nd grade from January-April
2009.
Healthy Peninsula’s on-going partnership with Child and Family Opportunities and their 11 Head Start
centers has added a goal to reduce secondhand smoke exposure for young children. A tobacco awareness
campaign was implemented to encourage families to “Take a Step,” which involves reducing the amount
they smoke eliminating tobacco use in their cars and homes and then quitting. Through schools and child
care providers, the coalition reached over 1,300 families.
Healthy Peninsula is sponsoring a Retail Beverage Server Training that will be offered in two day-long
sessions in Blue Hill and Deer Isle locations in March 2009. Businesses and their employees will receive a
state-certified training covering legal liability and public health impact for selling alcohol to minors or
intoxicated patrons.
Healthy Peninsula, along with Friends and Neighbors groups in Brooklin and Brooksville, are promoting local
foods and community trails. The Brooksville Friends helped start the Farmer’s Market and they continue to
publish the quarterly Brooksville Breeze. Brooklin held a celebration of locally-grown foods and completed
the first section of the “School to Sea Trail.”
Healthy Peninsula is working with a group of elders to provide information and community resources for
residents “to age gracefully and in place”. Quarterly “Healthy Aging” forums are planned for 2009, with the
first on Advanced Directives and Financial Planning held in January.
TOWNS
Blue Hill Isle au Haut Deer Isle Surry
Brooklin Penobscot
Brooksville Sedgwick
Castine Stonington
19. Healthy Portland (6)
Director: Joan Ingram, MPH
134 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 541-6954
Fax: (207) 541-6959
jbi@portlandmaine.gov
www.healthyportland.org
In 2009 Healthy Portland developed and released a Portland Places to Play Map. The map lists hundreds of
free or low cost activities for kids and adults to enjoy during all four seasons in the City. The map identifies
playgrounds, parks, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools, dog parks and beaches that are open to
the public.
During World Breastfeeding week in August 2009, Healthy Portland ran a breastfeeding campaign to
promote breastfeeding in public and to increase awareness of LD373 an Act to Facilitate Lactation in the
Workplace. The tagline for the campaign was “When breastfeeding is accepted, it won’t be noticed” and
featured 6 life-size cutouts of women breast feeing that were displayed in 18 different locations throughout
the City.
Healthy Portland applied for and was awarded obesity prevention funds through the Communities Putting
Prevention to Work grant. The grants period is 24 months and will expand on Healthy Portland's efforts in
the areas of policy and environmental changes for physical activity and nutrition.
Educational materials about colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention were created and distributed throughout
Cumberland County. Posters, flyers, and postcards were designed using images from the 1950s and 60s with
the theme “Remember this?” to target those age 50 and over and raise awareness about the importance of
CRC screening. Materials were distributed to physician offices, libraries, worksites, supermarkets, YMCAs,
and more. Additionally, the materials were used in advertisements that appeared in newspapers and movie
theaters.
TOWNS
Portland
20. Healthy Waldo County (16)
Director: Vyvyenne Richie
119 Northport Ave.
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 930-6761
Fax: (207) 338-6207
vritchie@wchi.com
5-2-1-0 Let’s Go Waldo initiate throughout Waldo County with partnerships between Healthy Waldo County,
SAD #3, RSU#20, Waldo County General Hospital, Head start, Early Head start and child care facilities
throughout the county.
Waldo County Physical Activity Resource Guide was created promoting free or low cost resources in all areas
of Waldo County.
Developed a monthly E-newsletter that is distributed to 2,000 households.
Waldo County MSAD #3 and RSU #20 are offering healthy snacks of fruits and vegetables daily, involving
children in preparation and distribution of these healthy foods and changing perceptions about what to
choose as a snack.
A Worksite Wellness Workgroup was developed to work with local businesses, bringing managers and
owners of businesses together to support wellness programming and health promotion to Waldo County
employees and their family members. To date, over twenty businesses have participated along with the
Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce. Presentations included experts in drug recognition and tobacco
cessation.
The Youth Advocacy Program (YAP) has a strong presence in the community and can be seen setting positive
examples to their peers and promoting healthy living. Healthy cooking at Waldo County YMCA has given YAP
participants an opportunity to prepare and serve nutritious food to the children in the YMCA after school
program and take a meal home to serve to their own families.
Substance abuse prevention efforts provide important information to parents through our newsletter and
newspaper articles, displays at middle school and high school athletic events and community events,
presentations at athletic department parent nights, providing the Guiding Good Choices curriculum for
middle school parents and organizing Table Talks hosted by parent volunteers to discuss underage drinking.
Coalition provided a mini-grant to City of Belfast Parks and Recreation to provide summer day camp
“Wisekids” for 30 low income children and Yoga classes for fourth graders in the Belfast school system.
TOWNS
Belfast Liberty Searsport Islesboro Palermo Waldo
Belmont Lincolnville Stockton Springs Jackson Prospect Winterport
Brooks Monroe Swanville Knox Searsmont Unity
Burnham Montville Thorndike Freedom Northport
Frankfort Morrill Troy
21. Knox County Community Health Coalition (17)
Director: Connie Putnam
Knox County Community Health Coalition (KCCHC)
120 Union Street
Rockport, ME 04856
(207) 236-6313
c-putnam@myfairpoint.net
In collaboration with Penobscot Bay Healthcare, Knox County Community Health Coalition (KCCHC) provides
a year-round “Freshstart” tobacco cessation program, free to all community members. KCCHC nominated,
and Penobscot Bay Healthcare received, a Silver Star through the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Gold
Star Standard Awards Program.
KCCHC and Penobscot Bay YMCA applied for and received an ACHIEVE Grant from CDC and National YMCA to
address the causes of chronic disease and to increase chronic disease self management supports.
Since October 2008, KCCHC has hosted an annual forum of Knox County Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens. It
has become a venue for ongoing informal networking of these volunteers, directors and managers. This
event also connects participants to the local Cooperative Extension office’s Nutrition Associate, Hannaford
dieticians, and the USDA.
KCCHC staff provide “lunch and learn” events for local businesses, agencies, organizations and schools on
topics, such as worksite wellness, parental role modeling/monitoring, health effects of tobacco use and
cessation tools, the role of chronic disease self-management, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of
substance abuse in the workplace. Successful implementation of Healthy Maine Works (HMW), through
collaboration with the HMP Specialist and Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, has resulted in successfully
enrolling 17 businesses impacting over 3000 employees in Knox County.
In collaboration with county-wide law enforcement agencies, KCCHC annually provides 2 RBS trainings with
approximately 30 people per training in attendance, party patrols, and distribution of over 1,000 PTM
information cards regarding the 2009 law to ban smoking in vehicles when a minor is present.
The MSAD #5 School Health Coordinator facilitated a successful collaborative effort among community
partners to implement their first Summer Food Service Program. This program provided breakfast and lunch
free of charge to students up to the age of 18 from low income families, on Monday – Friday for 8 weeks in
the summer of 2008 and 2009. This program served approximately 30-50 kids per week when athletic camps
weren’t in session and upwards of 75-150 when camps were in session.
TOWNS
Appleton Rockland Matinicus Isle Vinalhaven
Camden Rockport North Haven Warren
Cushing South Thomaston Owls Head Washington
Friendship St. George
Hope Thomaston
Isle au Haut Union
22. Partners for Healthier Communities (28)
(A Program of Goodall Hospital)
Director: Sarah Roberts
25 June Street
Sanford, ME 04073
(207) 490-7033
SRoberts@goodallhospital.org
Partnered with other area HMPs and Carelink RDC to coordinate nutrition related outreach to childcare
professionals in York County. As a result, Partners for Healthier Communities will be expanding outreach to
Lyman and Waterboro over the coming year. In addition, the Healthy Maine Partnerships will be partnering
with the York County Head Start program to promote the 5210 message countywide.
Partnered with the Sanford Police Department and York County Sheriffs Department to increase
effectiveness of local underage drinking law enforcement policies and practices by conducting party patrols.
Through this partnership, 128 citations were given to minors between January and July 2010.
Through funding from the Office of Substance Abuse, Partners for Healthier Communities trained 57
individuals through multiple Responsible Beverage Seller/Server trainings
Engaged 21 youth and 21 stores in Sticker Shock campaign where 15,000 stickers were affixed to warn of the
repercussions of furnishing alcohol to minors
The Goodall Healthy Weight Initiative partnered with the Sanford Wal-Mart to implement “Wellness at Wal-
Mart.” Wal-Mart has agreed to open the store to walkers from 6:00-8:00am every day and has displayed
healthy messaging in the produce section. Outreach to the Regional Manager of northeast Wal-Marts has
been made in hopes of expanding this idea to other Wal-Marts in the state of Maine.
Educated 300 businesses in the Greater Sanford Region on the new tobacco laws. Provided 11 restaurants
with guidance regarding implementation of tobacco laws and technical assistance around requirements for
compliance
Engaged over 100 youth, Department of Transportation, Town of Sanford, Sanford Schools, Lafayette
neighborhood, and other partners in a Safe Routes to School project. As a result moose prints have been
painted to guide students along a safe path to school. This project will continue over the summer and into
the fall.
TOWNS
Acton Parsonsfield
Alfred Sanford
Cornish Shapleigh
Limerick Waterboro
Limington
Lyman
Newfield
23. Partnership for a Healthy Northern Penobscot (19)
Director: Jane McGillicuddy
899 Central Street
Millinocket, Maine 04462
(207) 723-5288
Fax: (207) 723-7435
jmcgillicuddy@mrhme.org
PHNP has partnerships with local healthcare providers to enhance their ability to treat tobacco dependence.
Each year basic and intensive tobacco treatment training is offered to providers through a state contractor.
In addition, PHNP provides quit packs for tobacco dependent patients to local healthcare facilities. If tobacco
use is reported by a patient, they receive a quit pack which contains helpful information about quitting as
well as contact information for the Maine Tobacco Helpline. During 2009-10, Penobscot Valley Hospital
distributed approximately 150 quit packs per quarter.
PHNP facilitated six responsible beverage server/seller trainings during the 2009-10. Approximately 75 store
clerks/servers received in depth information about Maine State Law as well as practical strategies to ensure
the responsible sale of alcohol to adults of legal age.
PHNP facilitates a series of trainings for childcare providers as part of a collaboration with other district
HMPs and Penquis. Topic areas include disaster planning and emergency preparedness, second hand smoke,
physical activity, nutrition, and sun protection. These trainings allow providers to learn new skills and meet
their licensing requirements without requiring them to travel long distances.
During 09-10, PHNP staff worked with 12 area employers to implement the Healthy Maine Works program.
PSAs with information on the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke as well as the risk factors for
colon cancer were developed and aired on local cable access television in the service area.
After passing the a wellness policy, MSAD #67 School Health Leadership Team decided to serve salad and
fresh fruit everyday at the high school. There is at least one fruit and vegetable option daily at the lower
grades, and whole wheat bread and rolls are served regularly. "Wellness Wednesdays" have also been
instituted at the elementary level, where a healthy meal is served and teachers are urged to talk about the
nutritional value of the food when they return to the classroom.
TOWNS
Alton Edinburg Lowell Passadumkeag Woodville
EastArgyle Enfield Mattawamkeag Patten East Millinocket
Bradley Greenbush Maxfield Penobscot Indian Island Reservation
Burlington Howland Medway Prentiss
Carroll Kingman Milford Springfield
Chester Lakeville Millinocket Stacyville
Drew Lee Mount Chase Webster
East Central Penobscot Lincoln Old Town Winn
24. Piscataquis Public Health Council (20)
Director: Robin A. Mayo, MPH, RN
897 West Main Street
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
(207) 564-4344
Fax: (207) 564-4499
rmayo@mayohospital.com
Piscataquis Public Health Council (PPHC) partnered with the Maine Center for Public Health and the Maine
Harvard Prevention Research Center to launch Starting Young Program. The project is designed to assess
nutrition, physical activity, screen time and other health behaviors of staff, parents and children at five area
Head Start centers.
The PPHC established collaborations with two fitness centers to implement a self-sustaining chronic care
support program: Matter of Balance. Through this program, more than 250 senior individuals were served.
In 2010, over 95% of store owners were educated about the No BUTS! (Blocking Underage Tobacco Sales)
Program in Piscataquis and northern Penobscot communities served.
Over the period July 2007 and July 2010, the PPHC has assisted in securing more than $922,026 in grant
funding for local public health initiatives involving: lead poisoning, colon cancer awareness, Head Start
Nutrition Programming, Youth Tobacco Initiative, Underage Drinking Enforcement, Tobacco Clinical Outreach
to Healthcare Providers, a Cardiovascular Health Initiative targeting rural, low- income individuals, ages 45-
65, EMHS Healthy Lifestyle Project, H1N1 Influenze Vaccine Funding, and SNAP-Ed 5 Year Initiative.
Union #60 is seeking to reduce the appeal of underage drinking by increasing knowledge of the health risks
through a 7th grade health education unit on Substance Abuse Prevention with an emphasis on alcohol
prevention. As part of this unit, Union #60 received a grant from KIDS Consortium and Office of Substance
Abuse (OSA) to support the filming of skits written, performed, filmed, and edited by students. The video
skits were designed for peers to increase use of refusal skills and parents as part of a strategy to increase use
of recommended parental monitoring practices for underage drinking.
Collaborating with Mayo Regional Hospital, local Law Enforcement, and Primary Care Providers to implement
a Prescription Drug Diversion Program for Piscataquis County.
Over the period January 2009 to June 2010, the PPHC collaborated with Local Law Enforcement to increase
Underage Drinking Enforcement through standardized policies in 6 local police departments and provided
education to promote best practices within those same local police departments.
TOWNS
Abbot Guilford Charleston Parkman Bradford Garland
Atkinson Hudson Corinth Sangerville Brownville Greenville
Beaver Cove Kenduskeag Dexter Sebec Milo Wellington
Blanchard Lagrange Dover-Foxcroft Shirley Monson Willimantic
Bowerbank Medford Exeter Southeast Piscataquis
25. Power of Prevention (2)
Director: Rachel Charette BSN, RN
194 East Main St.
Fort Kent, ME 04743
(207) 834-1944
Fax (207) 834-2781
rachel.charette@nmmc.org
In the last year, two nursing homes, a large paper industry and a large wood industry have expressed an
interest in going tobacco free grounds. We have been very busy offering our services as needed by each
organization. We also initiated a large educational campaign with landlords concerning tobacco and
substance abuse prevention policy prevention.
The Power of Prevention has provided Beverage Server Trainings to local businesses as well as to local law
enforcement in collaboration with Healthy Aroostook which targeted all of Aroostook County. Michelle
Plourde Chasse, who works for both partnerships, coordinated these successful events. She also promoted
PACT agreements with local police departments.
Our Physical Activity Resource Guide, which is a collaboration of both HMP’s, promotes low cost/no cost
opportunities in Aroostook was professionally printed and distributed to 2500 in our service area(5000
county wide). It is used as an awareness tool with our health care providers, new employees at different
organizations, UMFK, and within every community.
Let’s Go Aroostook has been implemented in all schools countywide, some of our Recreation Departments,
and some of our businesses. The work is overseen by our Aroostook Let’s Go Committee.
Power of Prevention in collaboration with the Caribou Recreation Department initiated a new Senior
Wellness Day event in 2009 at the Wellness Center with about 15 vendors. Approximately 175 community
members participated some traveling from as far as 30 minutes away. We provided guidance to other
communities who expressed an interest in hosting their own similar event.
New Sweden School received a prestigious bronze award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation this
spring. Both Colette and Val our School Health Coordinators, have been very busy with events, policy
changes, and environmental changes such as removing vending machines, initiating composting worm farms
and establishing gardens.
TOWNS
Allagash New Sweden Hamlin Westmanland
Caribou Square Lake Madawaska Winterville
Connor St. Agatha New Canada Woodland
Cyr St. Francis Frenchville Van Buren
Eagle Lake St. John Grand Isle Wallagrass
Fort Kent Stockholm
26. River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition (25)
Director: Carol Emery
PO Box 86
94 River Street
Rumford, Maine 04276
(207) 364-7408
rvhcc@gwi.net
www.rvhcc.org
In November 2003, RVHCC collaborated with Rumford Hospital on a smoke-free campus policy. In September
2004, the coalition collaborated with Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford on developing a tobacco-free
policy, establishing it as the first ski area in the Nation to go completely tobacco-free.
Since 2004, RVHCC has worked with town recreational departments in the area. As a result, Andover,
Rumford and Woodstock have passed tobacco-free zone policies. The coalition established and continued a
Spring Fitness and Indoor Walking program for the service area. Also RVHCC has been working with local
businesses on Worksite Wellness and Eat Local Foods programs.
In 2008, RVHCC worked with Rumford Hospital and Community Dental to establish a Dental Health Center
which opened in February in the Tech Center.
In 2008, RVHCC received a grant to provide funding to six law enforcement agencies to address underage
drinking, supplying and hosting issues. RVHCC coordinated two Server/Seller Alcohol Trainings in Rumford
and Fryeburg, training a total of twenty store clerks and four police officers. Also the coalition distributed
over 400 packets of information to parents about preventing tobacco and alcohol-use during annual DARE
graduation. RVHCC has continued Sticker Shock and No Buts! Programs in local stores.
MSAD #43 and MSAD #21 (Rumford and Dixfield areas) were successful in their joint applications for the
2004 and 2008 Physical Education for Progress federal grants. The applications that were spearheaded by
the school health coordinators have brought in more $1.2 million dollars to their school systems. This has
allowed the schools to purchase equipment and provide professional development to the physical education
and health education staff. This has improved physical education program quality where students aspire to
spend the majority of class time in their fitness “zone”. For the first time many students truly seem to
understand the connection between physical activity and cardiovascular health. It has also dramatically
increased opportunities for students to learn lifelong physical activity skills including: x-country skiing,
snowshoeing canoeing and kayaking.
TOWNS
Andover Milton Gilead Stoneham
Bethel Newry Greenwood Stow
Byron Peru Hanover Sweden
Canton Roxbury Lovell Upton
Dixfield Rumford Mexico Woodstock
Fryeburg South Oxford
27. Healthy Sebasticook Valley (21)
Director: Karen Hawkes
447 North Maine Street
Pittsfield, Maine 04967
(207) 487-3890
Fax: (207) 487-4591
khawkes@emh.org
www.HealthySV.org
In 2001, the coalition assisted local hospitals and schools to become tobacco-free; advocating for policy
change and providing signage to both increase awareness and enforcement of the policies.
In 2002, the coalition funded a mapping project that covered six towns in the local service area. Those maps
cover free walking, biking and nature trails in all six towns and are widely used by both local residents as well
as distributed by the Chamber of Commerce to tourists and visitors to the area. In addition, the coalition has
also established winter walking to the service area: identifying indoor safe walking areas for citizens.
In 2004, the coalition implemented a Farm Share program that supported local farmers in providing fresh
produce to area seniors. This program has now been adopted by area merchants with the coalition as the
administrators and the merchants providing the funding to create sustainability in light of current budgetary
deficits. The Coalition expanded the Farm Share program in 2010, and a local farm is now providing fresh
produce to the Pittsfield Food Pantry throughout the growing season.
In 2007, HealthySV (formerly known as Sebasticook Valley Healthy Communities) received the Gold Level
Recognition for Heart Safe Communities award from the Maine Cardiovascular Health Program. Working
together with EMS, community employers and community health educators, the coalition is increasing
awareness of signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease as well as increasing the number of businesses
and residents with the necessary tools for providing CPR.
RSU 19 has implemented numerous strategies to increase physical activity among students and community
members as part of their comprehensive School Wellness Policy. For example: 1) all elementary schools
have implemented the Take Time! Program which adds 10-20 minutes of physical activity to each child's day
through the curriculum and 2) all schools are open before and after school for community walking programs.
In 2010, HealthySV assisted Sebasticook Valley Hospital with the development of a comprehensive Worksite
Breastfeeding Policy. The hospital is an advocate of breastfeeding and policy development, and has
collaborated with HealthySV to create a Health Promotion Series on the topic which aired on local stations.
TOWNS
Cambridge Pittsfield Etna
Clinton Ripley Levant
Detroit St. Albans Newport
Harmony Carmel Plymouth
Hartland Corinna Stetson
Palmyra Dixmont
28. St. Croix Valley Healthy Communities (11)
Director: Paul Stuart
43 Union St.
Calais, ME 04619
(207) 454-0761
pstuart@downeasthealth.org
www.healthystcroix.org
Initiated non-smoking ordinances in all public recreational sporting venues with the Calais City Council.
Collaborated with Calais Regional Hospital to educate employees on the benefits of a smoke-free campus.
Disseminated information on the hazards of smoking to all area child care providers.
Joined with NADA to organize a Responsible Beverage Servers Training.
Collaborated with School Health Coordinator to implement “Healthy Snack Stores” in area schools.
YAP director created and implemented summer youth programs for each service area community.
Union 106 schools are working hard to address the obesity epidemic facing Washington County. School
committees have adopted a union-wide policy that mandates daily physical activity in the classroom.
Students dance while learning their colors, do jumping jacks to math problems and stretch their muscles
while learning the continents. The majority of students are also involved in after school programs that focus
on physical activity and promoting healthy eating habits. Students play Wii, Dance Dance Revolution,
snowshoe, ski, and hike local trails while eating healthy snacks during their breaks. Staff and high school
students all have free membership to the local gym and participate in wellness challenges that result in high
usage of this facility.
TOWNS
Alexander Meddybemps
Baileyville Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation
Baring Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation
Calais Pembroke
Charlotte Perry
Cooper Princeton
Crawford Robbinston
Danforth Talmadge
Dennysville Topsfield
East Central Washington Vanceboro
Eastport Waite
Grand Lake Stream
29. Union River Healthy Communities (12)
Director: Helena Peterson RN, MPH
52 Christian Ridge Rd.
Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-5352
healthy@downeasthealth.org
Union River Healthy Communities implement the “It's True!” healthy norms marketing program with high
school students. Surveys in the second year show 10% more students report never using tobacco, 11% more
report never using alcohol, 8% more report never using marijuana, and 95% report that they never use illicit
drugs.
The coalition provided a mini-grant to the City of Ellsworth to create a Bike-Pedestrian Committee, which
then worked for a year to complete the Ellsworth Bike-Pedestrian Plan.
Worked with partners at HealthLink-Maine Coast Memorial Hospital to support 10 regularly scheduled
exercise programs, and the 10-week “Lose and Win” program. In 2008, 215 participants lost 1,500 pounds,
pushing the total to over 10,000 pounds lost in 4 years.
With partners from Healthy Peninsula, created a system of tobacco counseling based on client readiness
(“Ready to Quit”), which is now available through several local social services and medical offices in the
region.
Provided Responsible Beverage Server training to 45 participants from on-premise and off-premise alcohol
establishments in 2008.
A comprehensive K-8 Health Education curriculum has been developed and aligned to the new 2007 Maine
Learning Results. The primary resource is The Great Body Shop program. The Physical Education curriculum
has been revised and aligned to the new Maine Learning Results.
In 2007, The Youth Obesity Think Tank was established to determine the factors that drive youth obesity in
the greater Ellsworth area. The Think Tank project is a collaborative effort of Maine Coast Pediatrics, the
Downeast Family YMCA, the Ellsworth School Department and Union River Healthy Communities and
involves a team of approximately 30 leaders from area businesses, schools and government, as well as
healthcare and community organizations. The group has discussed the dimensions of the problem of youth
obesity, conducted focus group studies of School Food Directors, youth, parents and others, and surveyed
parents of Ellsworth School Department students in order to determine what needs to be done to improve
nutrition and physical activity options for area youth.
TOWNS
Amherst Hancock Ellsworth Sullivan
Aurora Mariaville Franklin Waltham
Central Hancock Osborn Gouldsboro Winter Harbor
Dedham Otis
Eastbrook Sorrento
30. Washington County: One Community (13)
Director: Eleody Libby
P.O. Box 679
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-3741
Fax: (207) 255-4987
elibby@wc-oc.org
www.washingtoncountymaine.com
In June 2006, Washington County: One Community successfully implemented, in two school districts, an
asthma signs/symptoms training to all staff and annual CPR/first-aid training.
In 2008, the Washington County: One Community HMP worked with the Washington County Food Pantry
and Head Start to implement a nutrition outreach plan. As a result, the number of Head Start participants
eating at least three fruits each day increased by one-hundred percent and the number of food pantry
participants eating at least three fruits per day increased by nine-hundred percent. The number of Head
Start participants eating at least three servings of vegetables each day increased by two hundred forty-nine
percent and the number of food pantry participants meeting vegetable requirements remained steady at
thirty-five percent.
In July 2008, the coalition successful implemented a procedure to ban tobacco use and smoking on County
property, including the courthouse and jail.
In the 2007/2008 school year, the coalition worked successfully with two schools to implement purchasing
policies that gave way to purchasing local produce. The coalition is working with two additional schools in
the 2008/2009 school year to adopt similar policies, as well as leveraging funds to hire a coordinator to
expand the farms-to-schools program in more Washington County schools.
TOWNS
Addison Machias
Beals Machiasport
Cherryfield Marshfield
Columbia Falls Milbridge
Columbia Northfield
Cutler Roque Bluffs
East Machias Steuben
Harrington Wesley
Jonesboro Whiting
Jonesport Whitneyville
Lubec East Central Washington