Our Oil Heat Program for the 2012-2013 season has begun.  Please call 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645) to receive an application. Please note that we are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls. Call center hours are Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM Eastern Standard Time.

In partnership with CITGO, Citizens Energy works with thousands of oil heat dealers and local fuel assistance agencies in 25 states to provide deliveries of home heating oil to those in need.  The Oil Heat Program provides eligible families a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil.

The TU Collaborative invites you to participate in a new survey that seeks to gather input from individuals with psychiatric disabilities about the resources and services that would help them to achieve their weight loss goals. The information gathered will help to develop a weight loss program for mental health consumers interested in losing weight, providing the services and resources needed to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Who is eligible: Participants need to be over the age of 18 and have a psychiatric disability.

What the survey covers: This survey will help us identify what mental health consumers would like to see in a weight loss intervention. The survey will ask questions about personal health, nutrition, physical activity, goal setting, and preferences in technology and weight loss programs. Responses to the survey are completely anonymous and participants may choose to skip any question they do not wish to answer or stop the survey at any time. There is no penalty for not completing the survey.

How can I participate: The survey, which will take about 10 minutes, can be completed on a computer or iPad.  To get started, click this link: https://templerehabilitation.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0e07YeN2bd6ayKF

If you have any questions or would like more information about this survey, please contact Dr. Gretchen Snethen at (215)707-3390 or

 Light refreshments provided.  

 Join us at one of the following six locations:

Health care tops the list of concerns of many Americans. ESCAPE FIRE is about finding a way out. It's about saving the health of a nation. 

Bitterly cold temperatures continue to affect Maine and will for several days. Wild Chill Warnings and Advisories are in effect across much of the State. According to the National Weather Service, extreme cold conditions will continue into the weekend.

In addition to keeping yourself and your family warm and safe, please remember to check on friends and neighbors who may need extra help to stay warm. Keep track of expected temperatures by staying tuned to news broadcasts, or checking National Weather Service forecasts online.

Stay Safe in Cold Weather

• Dress in layers.
• Wear a warm hat – 30% of heat loss is through the head.
• Wear a scarf and gloves.
• Infants should be in a room in which the temperature is 61-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Drink plenty of fluids and warm/hot drinks.
• Eat regular balanced meals to give you energy – good nutrition is important.
• Keep active, but not to the point where you’re sweating.
• Keep dry and change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.
• Cut down on alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, since all three cause heat loss.
• Consider closing the door to unused rooms to keep the rooms you use most warm.
• Ask your doctor if you are on any medications that affect your ability to maintain a steady body temperature (such as neuroleptic medications and sedative hypnotics).
• Bring your pets indoors except for needed outdoor breaks.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Decreased consciousness, sleepiness, confusion, and/or disorientation
• Shivering, pale or blue skin, numbness, poor coordination, slurred speech
• In severe hypothermia, shivering decreases or goes away, and the person becomes unconscious and has very shallow breaths.
• Someone who has mild hypothermia may not take action to warm themselves
• If someone is exhibiting these symptoms, call 9-1-1

Warming centers may open in some areas to provide respite from the cold. Check with your town office or call 211 (dial 2-1-1 toll-free) to see if there is a warming center open in your area.

More information:

Hypothermia information and first aid tips from the Mayo Clinic

Hypothermia fact sheet courtesy of the MaineCDC