Advocacy Initiative Network of Maine

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The Advocacy Initiative Network (the Network) is a statewide organization developed by, for and with customers of mental health services throughout Maine. Our mission is to support the creation and sustainability of programs & initiatives that provide a better quality of life for Maine consumers.

Our beliefs have influenced how we have determined what constitutes consumer involvement.

Click here to learn more

Latest News

Paid Peer Support Specialist Opportunities

Wednesday, 01 July 2009

There are several exciting Peer Support opportunities at Sweetser's Learning and Recovery Center in Brunswick.

Peer Support Specialist A Peer Support Specialist position working in Respite on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. The primary role of the Peer Support Specialist is to be an inspiration to individuals who are in crisis or are experiencing emotional distress. By applying the tools the Peer Support Specialist has developed in his or her own recovery as well as the philosophy and values of Intentional Peer Support, the Peer Support Specialist will:

· Build a connection,

· Consider Worldview,

· Maintain Mutuality,

· And Move Towards a new way of being,

within the new relationship being built with the individual. The Peer Support Specialist will collaborate, coach, and challenge individuals in viewing the crisis as an opportunity for growth and change, within each individuals Recovery process.

Relief (scheduled) Peer Support Specialist A Relief Peer Support Specialist position working the Respite Overnight on Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 midnight to 9:00 am. Pleas Note: This shift is canceled if there are no respite guests.

Relief (as needed) Peer Support Specialist Several relief positions are available in the following programs:

Crisis Respite (5:00 pm - 12:00 midnight)
Overnight (12:00 midnight - 9:00 am)

How to Apply

Complete job descriptions are attached.

Current Sweetser employees will use the attached internal application.

External applicants will use the attached external application

Questions can be directed to Gordon Voltin, Assistant Coordinator at (207) 373-4275 or gvoltin@sweetser.org

Peer Support Specialist Job Description

Relief Peer Support Specialist Job Description

Internal Application Form

External Application Form

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 July 2009 )

Community Support Services Program

Friday, 26 June 2009

Medical Care Development is now accepting applications for CSSP and we’re trying to let people know that. I’ve attached a brochure that explains the program and how to apply. The application deadline is July 21^st. If you are unable to download the application, call me.

Linda Williams

Training and Education Project Director

Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Medical Care Development

11 Parkwood Drive

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 622-7566 ext. 243

fax (207) 622-3616

lwilliams@mcd.org

CSSP brochure & application

Last Updated ( Monday, 29 June 2009 )

Housing Input Forum

Friday, 19 June 2009

MaineHousing and the Maine Office of Community Development invite you to attend our public forums as we develop the state's 2010 Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan outlines the administration and distribution of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds Maine receives each year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The forums are designed to gather information and ideas from interested parties about housing and community development needs throughout the state and any impediments to fair housing in the state, and to review potential program changes.

These forums are an excellent opportunity to tell us what you think about:

The programs offered by MaineHousing & DECD.
What the State's housing and economic development priorities should be.
How MaineHousing & DECD can better serve your area and your needs.

Please join us. MaineHousing senior management attends these meetings to directly hear public input. We want to hear what you have to say.

Presque Isle: July 21st, 1:00 PM, Council Chambers, Presque Isle City Building,

12 Second Street, Presque Isle, Maine

Westbrook: July 23rd, 10:00 AM, Conference Room, Westbrook Housing

30 Liza Harmon Drive, Westbrook, Maine

Bangor: July 29th, 1:00 PM, Penobscot Board Room, Eastern Maine Development Corp.

(EMDC), 40 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine

Augusta: July 30th, 1:30 PM, Board Room, Maine State Housing Authority

353 Water Street, Augusta, Maine

For more information please contact:

Michael Baran - Office of Community Development - 624-9816

Mike Martin - MaineHousing - 626-4615

Meeting rooms are accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Upon sufficient notice, appropriate communication auxiliary aids and services will be provided. To make your preferences known, please contact MaineHousing's Equal Access Coordinator, Mary Darling, at MaineHousing, 353 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04330-4633; Tel: 207‑626‑4600 or 1-800-452-4668 (voice); 1-800-452-4603 (TTY).

Legislative Alert

Tuesday, 23 June 2009
You can find the text of the bills at: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/search.asp . Type in the number of the Legislative Document (LD). This will bring you to a page that has buttons on the left. The one labeled Bill Text will get you to the bill language; the one labeled Committee Info will take you to a page that gives the dates of hearings on the bills. BUDGET RELATED: LD 353: An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011 (EMERGENCY) Signed by the Governor on May 28, 2009. Bills put forth that may be of interest: ~~LD 1433: An Act Regarding the Creation of Capitated Behavioral Health Pilot Programs~~ (DEAD) Appears in the above Budget as PPPP. LD 1360: An Act To Allow Law Enforcement and Family Members To Petition the District Court To Initiate Assisted Outpatient Treatment On June 15, 2009 CARRIED OVER TO ANY SPECIAL OR REGULAR SESSION OF THE 124th LEGISLATURE PURSUANT TO JOINT ORDER HP 1053, IN CONCURRENCE. LD 944: An Act To Increase the Evidentiary Standard Required To Establish a Guardianship Signed by the Governor on June 10, 2009. LD 1132: An Act To Establish the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services Signed by the Governor on June 17, 2009. ~~LD 1076~~~~: An Act To Create a Statewide Training and Protocol for Responding to Mental Health Crises~~ (DEAD) LD 1066: An Act To Establish the Independent Review Board for Police Involved in Fatal Shootings Signed by the Governor on May 19, 2009 LD 1166: An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force by Law Enforcement Officers Against Individuals Suffering From Mental Illness PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-413) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-337) on June 11, 2009. Signed by Governor on June 19, 2009 ~~LD 1067~~~~: Resolve, To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To Study Methods of Protecting Emergency Medical Services Personnel during the Transportation of Persons with Mental Illness~~ (DEAD) LD 480: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institution Services, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services, Division of Policy and Performance (EMERGENCY) Signed by the Governor on May 14, 2009. ~~LD 700~~~~: “An Act To Restore Funding for Bed-hold Days at Private Nonmedical Institutions”~~ (DEAD) LD 609: "An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Involuntary Hospitalization Procedures When Both Commitment and Involuntary Treatment Are Sought " Signed by the Governor on June 8, 2009 LD 337: "An Act Regarding Emergency Involuntary Admission of a Participant in the Department of Health and Human Services' Progressive Treatment Program to a State Mental Institute" Signed by the Governor on June 8, 2009 LD 341: “An Act to Amend the Department of Health and Human Services' Progressive Treatment Program" Signed by Governor on June 9, 2009 You can find your representative and senator by using the following links: To send an email to and find your State Senator:http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/writesen/write1.htm To find your State Representative:http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm How to contact your State Senator or Representative and a listing of their email addresses if they have them: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/callleg.htm To find out who is on a particular committee:http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jtcomlst.htm
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 June 2009 )

National Budget Concerns

Wednesday, 01 April 2009

If you've ever wanted to see our national policies reflect what's most important to our families and our communities, then it's an exciting time to be living in Maine!

Our two U.S. Senators -- Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins -- are currently in positions of great influence in Washington, D.C. That means that through our elected leaders each and every Mainer has a tremendous opportunity to shape our national policies around health care, education, climate change, and the long-term financial health of our country. This public infrastructure is the foundation for a strong economy and shared prosperity, and it must be responsibly maintained to ensure the health and vitality of Maine communities now and into the future.

You've got the influence; it's time to start using it! Click here to send an email to Senators Snowe and Collins today.

The U.S. Senate is debating our national budget right now and for the next couple days. As Maine citizens, we have the chance to advise our senators on building a budget that reflects our shared values and strengthens our public structures - our schools, our public health and safety systems, our roads and bridges, and our natural resources - while raising revenues equitably and investing resources wisely.

The Senate Budget Committee has produced a responsible framework for tackling some of our biggest national challenges and moving our country in the right direction. It is essential that Senators Snowe & Collins vote against any amendments that reduce discretionary spending or add new tax cuts.

Click here to ask Senators Snowe and Collins to vote against budget amendments that would dampen our ability to create jobs and build a strong economy.

Today's call to action is the first of many we'll be needing in the coming weeks and months as crucial decisions get made in Washington and Augusta that will affect our lives and the lives of many generations to come.

We're all in this together. Thank you for taking on the responsibility that comes with our unique policy-making opportunities here in Maine. Please take action today and in the months ahead.

Senators Snowe and Collins are uniquely positioned to help solve some of the biggest challenges our country has faced in decades. Please join us in using your power and responsibility as Maine citizens - click here now to tell Senators Snowe and Collins that our national spending priorities must support our families and strengthen our communities.