Friday, August 28, 2020

Healthy Acadia to Offer Responsible Sales Training September 24


 Healthy Acadia is offering Responsible Beverage Server and Seller training for stores, restaurants, and taverns to help them safely sell or serve alcohol. “Two things have changed with our state-certified server/seller training this year,” said Tara Young, Drug-Free Communities Coordinator, and one of the trainers. “We will be offering training online using the Zoom platform to maintain social distancing protocols. And, since so many small businesses in our area are experiencing financial difficulties, we will not be charging $25 for the training. It will be free for anyone, whether they are a new staff member getting their initial training, someone who needs recertification, or someone who would like to become a server or cashier in the future.” 

The course emphasizes increasing employees’ knowledge about liquor laws, the importance of preventing underage sales, and sales to visibly intoxicated individuals, as well as building the skills necessary to handle refusing service when necessary. Employees will receive training on best practices to identify minors, false identification, and signs of visible intoxication, as well as develop the skills needed to refuse service, when necessary. Training employees through this 3-hour course may lead to reduced insurance rates for businesses and will help reduce the risk of making costly and/or tragic unlawful sales.

On September 24, 2020, the off-premise course for stores licensed to sell alcohol for consumption at another location will begin at 8:30 am, and the on-premise course will begin at 12:30 p.m. To register, click on this link: https://forms.gle/yukk69U7u41RQwGKA and choose the session you would like to attend, provide the information needed for your certificate, and take the pre-test.

For more information or to schedule a dedicated training for 6 or more employees, please contact Tara Young at 667-7171 or tara@healthyacadia.org.

Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.HealthyAcadia.org.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Women’s Recovery Residence Now Accepting Applications

 

Washington County's first recovery residence for women and their children is now accepting applications for residents. Safe Harbor: A Recovery Home for Women and Children, is the result of a collaborative effort between Healthy Acadia, Downeast Community Partners, Aroostook Mental Health Center, and the Community Caring Collaborative (CCC) to provide a safe, supportive, affordable living environment for women in recovery. The partners are part of the Washington County Substance Use Response Collaborative, a collaborative of over 25 Washington County nonprofit partners and individuals in recovery which has convened regularly since 2016 to address the broad impacts of substance use disorder. 

 

One of the many adverse impacts of living with substance use disorder is the toll it takes on financial stability, employment, criminal records, and other aspects of life necessary to secure housing. The profound impact of Maine’s growing housing shortage on people entering recovery prompted the Collaborative to form a housing subcommittee in early 2019, with individuals in recovery or with loved ones facing substance use disorder as leading voices. 

 

The Collaborative’s decision to open a recovery residence in the region is based on acute need, as well as successful models established elsewhere in Maine and across the country. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, recovery homes are viable and cost-effective alternatives to established recovery-oriented systems of care because they provide safe and healthy environments that support residents in their recovery. These communities empower people by providing support as they transition towards living independent and productive lives.

 

"People in recovery require more than clinical treatment to succeed," says House Manager, Katie Sell. "At a minimum, they need a safe place to live: a place that supports their efforts to do the difficult work of rebuilding their lives."

 

Safe Harbor is the first recovery residence in Downeast Maine to be certified by the Maine Association of Recovery Residences. The home will operate as a non-clinical Level 2 program, and will not provide treatment, but will support multiple and diverse pathways to recovery, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is considered a best practice in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).

 

Healthy Acadia will manage staffing and programming at the Recovery Residence. Residents will participate in a variety of programmatic activities, including house meetings and recovery coaching. Coaches will work with residents who seek treatment, whether it be medication-assisted treatment, counseling, primary care, or a combination, by referring and connecting them with treatment providers. 

 

“Every resident will have a set of goals and will work with a Healthy Acadia Recovery Coach and will connect with other resources in the community in order to make progress toward those goals,” said Abby Frutchey, Substance Use Response Coordinator at the CCC. “For some, finding employment and being able to pay some level of rent will be a goal right away, but for others, it may be different.” 

 

The building, located in the town of Machias, has been renovated with support from a $150,000 grant from the Maine Housing Authority. Renovations are nearly complete, and the building, which is managed and maintained by Downeast Community Partners (DCP), will provide housing for up to five women and their children. Donations of household goods, toiletries, and other gently used items are welcome. 

 

Safe Harbor will serve people from Washington and Hancock counties, but residency in either county is not a requirement. Often, individuals in recovery seek to relocate temporarily in order to change patterns, be around different people, and avoid triggers that could lead to relapse. While there is much-needed focus on opioids currently, Safe Harbor will also serve women seeking recovery from other substances such as alcohol. 

 

Women interested in living at Safe Harbor can find the application by visiting www.HealthyAcadia.org

 

Healthy Acadia is currently seeking applicants for recovery residence staff, various shifts are available. Visit www.HealthyAcadia.org for more information. 

 

For more information about the recovery residence, including questions about donations, contact Katie Sell at (207) 255-3741 or by email at Katie.Sell@HealthyAcadia.org

 

Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.HealthyAcadia.org.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Acadia National Park Announces Vehicle Reservations for the Sand Beach Entrance and Cadillac Summit Road



The National Park Service has developed a vehicle reservation system to reduce severe traffic and parking congestion so visitors can plan ahead and have a more enjoyable visit to Acadia National Park. As a pilot to prepare for the 2021 season, reservations will be required for vehicles to enter the Sand Beach Entrance and Cadillac Summit Road from October 1 to 18, 2020. Vehicle reservations are available for purchase only online at Recreation.gov.

“The majority of the park is open just as it has always been, including access to all of the carriage roads and all but a few hiking trails,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. “If you want to visit the park’s most popular areas during peak times with your vehicle, you now have the opportunity to guarantee access with a reservation. If you walk or bike into a vehicle reservation area, reservations are not required.”

The Sand Beach Entrance will require vehicle reservations from 7 am to 5 pm. The Cadillac Summit Road will require vehicle reservations from 4:30 am to 6:30 pm. All reservations provide a timed entry, but do not require a departure time. Reservations do not guarantee a specific parking space. If you leave the area with your vehicle, you need another reservation to re-enter. In addition to having a valid entrance pass, reservations must be purchased for $2.00 each online; reservations will not be sold at the park. Commercial tour operators with a valid Commercial Use Authorization and accredited school groups with an authorized entrance fee waiver do not require a vehicle reservation during the pilot in October. Conducting a pilot of the vehicle reservation system in October will help the park prepare a full season of vehicle reservations in 2021.