COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY ADVANCES THREE-COUNTY TRANSFORMATION

WITH ELECTION OF NEW REGIONAL BOARD AND CONTINUED PROGRESS

ON INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY

Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC) has reached a defining milestone in the development of a unified, regional Community Action Agency serving northern and Downeast Maine, with the formal election of a new 30-member, three-county Board of Directors on May 28, 2026. This achievement marks a major step forward in the organization’s deliberate transition to a fully integrated governance and service delivery model spanning Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties—an expansive region representing approximately 35 percent of Maine’s landmass. 

The newly constituted Board reflects the federally required tripartite structure of Community Action Agencies, ensuring balanced representation from the Consumer, Public and Private sectors. Board members were nominated through an inclusive and highly collaborative process involving a six-member, three-county Nominating Committee and seven recognized regional nominating entities, including the Head Start Parent Policy Council, Aroostook Community Collaborative, Community Caring Collaborative, Healthy Acadia, and the County Commissioners from each of the three counties.  

“The process we have engaged in over the past several months has been very inclusive and intentional,” said Jason Parent, CEO of CAAWHC. “From the Governance Work Session we held in November that brought together more than 70 community leaders, partners, and service recipients, to the thoughtful nomination and election of this Board, we have taken great strides to ensure that the voices of the communities we serve are meaningfully represented as we carry this new agency forward.”  Read more...

JUNE'S "COMMUNITY IN ACTION" FEATURE INTERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS WIC & WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TOP TO BOTTOM DRIVE ON THIS WEEK'S "COMMUNITY IN ACTION" WEEKLY RADIO SEGMENT

FRIENDSHIP COTTAGE OPEN HOUSE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC) was delighted to welcome approximately 100 community members to the Friendship Cottage Open House and Summer Barbecue on June 6 in Blue Hill. The event celebrated the successful purchase of the Cottage and the extraordinary community effort that secured its future.

Guests enjoyed guided tours of the facility, refreshments, and opportunities to connect with staff, supporters, and neighbors. The open house also underscored the significance of community generosity that contributed to this milestone moment with more than $750,000 raised locally in just a few months. Overall, the event was a resounding success, bringing people together in a spirit of gratitude, connection, and optimism for the future of Friendship Cottage. To learn more about Friendship Cottage, visit the ACAP website.

MAINE SENIOR FARMSHARE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 SEASON

The Maine Senior FarmShare Program provides income-eligible adults the opportunity to receive a share (worth $50) of first-quality, fresh, local produce at no cost directly from local Maine farmers during the growing season. Applicants must be Maine residents 60 years or older, 55 years or older for Native Americans, or more than 18 years old for disabled adults living in a housing facility with housing facility occupied primarily by older individuals where congregate nutrition services are provided.

For more information or to apply, visit the Maine Senior FarmShare Program website.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEXT HOME BUYER EDUCATION COURSE ON JUNE 14

Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties' next Home Buyer Education Course is scheduled for June 14, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. via Zoom.

The course is hoMEworks approved and taught by industry professionals (lenders, home inspectors, real estate agents) in an educational, non-sales oriented environment.

To register, call (207) 764-3721 ext. 223 or email [email protected]

For more information regarding this and future courses, visit the ACAP Website.

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION FAMILIES PARTICIPATE

IN YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS

Photos from Houlton and Caribou Early Care & Education Year-end Celebrations.

Preschool teachers and coaches put together wonderful year-end celebrations for children and families participating in our Early Care and Education programs. The events gave the children an opportunity to have some fun and families an opportunity for interaction with one another. Education Manager Maeghan Swanson says, "It was amazing to see so many families in attendance and enjoying the activities." The events were a prime example of the family engagement early care and education staff aim to build through their interactions with families every day.

DEER ISLE-STONINGTON PRE-K/HEAD START PARTICIPANTS

RECEIVE HANDMADE QUILTS FROM LOCAL QUILT ARTISTS

The quilt artists at Dockside Quilt Gallery in Deer Isle recently demonstrated their commitment to community impact by donating a beautiful handmade quilt to each child in the Deer Isle-Stonington

Pre-K/Head Start program. Each child received a unique, custom blanket designed specifically for them to bring them comfort and joy. "These quilts become cherished mementos of the time these children and families have had within the Deer Isle Head Start program," says teacher Michele Mingo. 

This year's donation of quilts continues more than ten years of generous donations from local quilters to children in Deer Isle-Stonington Pre-K/Head Start. Reflecting on the long-term impact of the donated quilts, teacher Katrina Gray says, "Within this community, over the last 10 years, over 100 children have benefited from local quilters' generosity by receiving a personalized handmade quilt, and I know there were numerous children before that who received quilts as well." Thank you to the quilt artists at Dockside Quilt Gallery for continuing this tradition of generosity to the children and families of Deer Isle-Stonington Pre-K/Head Start!

CAAWHC COMMUNITY EDUCATOR GUIDES FORT KENT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO COMPLETION OF IMPACTFUL SENIOR PROJECT

At Fort Kent Community High School, senior student Ava Tardie recently completed an impactful senior project focused on youth vaping prevention and education. Ava worked under the guidance of Magen Leikam, Community Educator at Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC), specializing in tobacco prevention and youth education. Through mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities, Ava gained a deeper understanding of the effects vaping has on youth, schools, and communities.

As part of her project, Ava completed asynchronous training through CATCH My Breath, a nationally recognized youth vaping prevention program, along with additional independent research and coursework. She also interviewed prevention professionals and explored strategies to support healthy decision-making among youth.

Ava’s project extended beyond learning, as she worked to bring valuable prevention resources directly into her school community. She helped promote My Life, My Quit and the Maine QuitLink to increase awareness of free support services available to students and families. Her dedication to creating healthier school environments and educating peers about the risks of vaping reflects strong leadership, compassion, and commitment to community wellness. We are proud to recognize Ava for her hard work and meaningful contribution to tobacco prevention efforts in Northern Maine.

The Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) helps eligible families pay for child care so parents can work, go to school, or participate in a job training program. CCAP, which is funded by both federal Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) and State funds, works to ensure that Maine families have access to affordable, high quality child care. Due to expending all available funding, CCAP implemented a waitlist in November 2024 and since then, all eligible families were placed on the waitlist until funding became available for an award. As of this week, 653 children from 443 families remain on the waitlist.

Beginning in July 2026, the next State Fiscal Year, CCAP will receive an additional $10 million in state funds to help address the current waitlist. Our program is actively working to remove children from the waitlist as quickly as possible using the funding currently available. As new funds are released, we will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the waitlist and to grant an award to eligible families as quickly as possible.

As a reminder, waitlist prioritization is given to:

• Children with special needs
• Children experiencing homelessness
• Children from families with incomes below 30% of the State Median Income.

If you are a family who is currently on the CCAP waitlist, you will be notified directly if and when funding is available.

If you have questions, please reach out [email protected] or visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/support-for-families/child-care/paying-for-child-care

Join Queerly ME for an early afternoon trail mixer to make connections before Pride Aroostook’s festival! Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and our flagship program. Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants. Each time a conversation prompt is introduced, we encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to. This walk is all ages, although minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Exact location will be disclosed to those who complete registration. The trail where this walk is taking place is mostly flat and wide with packed dirt / gravel. To register, visit the event page.

SNAPSHOTS OF THE WEEK

Children in the Infant/Toddler room at Flaherty Early Care and Education Center on the campus of University of Maine at Machias participate in a fun, hands-on painting activity. Teachers transformed a table into an amazing art experience by flipping it over and wrapping the table legs in plastic wrap. The children were provided with a variety of brushes and paints to explore and express their creativity.

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