• DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell
• 31st Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards
• Deaf Cultural Festival, September 24, 2022
• Maine DHHS Launches 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell

We hope this finds you doing well and that you have/had a great holiday season. This is our special issue with highlights from our 31^st Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards and highlights from the 2022 Deaf Culture Festival.

We are excited to share information about 988 which is a really important resource and to remind you to check out our resource guide at https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/resource_guide/index.shtml.

We would also like to remind you that Commission for the Deaf Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened meetings are open to the public and you are invited to attend. The dates for the 2023 meetings are 1/12/2023, 4/13/2023, 6/8/2023, and 10/12/2023, 4-7 PM. Due to Covid19 the location will be determined prior to each meeting. Contact Nancy Winter at 207-623-7958 or E-mail: Nancy.A.Winter@maine.gov.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

31st Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards

Pictured: Terry Morrell

We were excited to have student, Marlaco Bethune, and Early Intervention American Sign Language Specialist for Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Melinda Smith Meyers, as our keynote speakers! We also enjoyed having some middle school and high school students join us in person!

What grew in me? THE NEED TO LEAD AND SUPPORT MY COMMUNITY

Marlaco Bethune

Pictured: Marlaco Bethune

I knew that I was already a leader with my wrestling team, I always supported and encouraged my classmates at school, and I am a big brother at home with my little sister and brother. I did not know that I had so much more to learn until the Deaf community encouraged and supported me to go to the Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) in Oregon last summer.

During YLC I built a structure with logs, I could not do this alone; however, when I asked for help, Deaf community leaders worked together and supported me and each other. I realized teamwork and encouragement are very important and will go a long way.

In Maine, I look at the older group of Deaf leaders who have motivated me to lead, and at the same time, I am excited as I see the younger students in my high school, middle school, elementary and preschool and I am inspired to teach them how to lead. It is a full circle experience for me from the minute I met my first Deaf teacher to Deaf children looking up to me.

What does “LEAD,” mean to us:

Marlaco Bethune and Melinda Meyers Smith

Pictured left to right: Melinda Meyers Smith and Marlaco Bethune

L - Learn to lead

L - Loyalty (devotion)

E - Enthusiasm

E - Empowerment

A - Action

A - Advocacy

D - Determination

D – Dedication

The Annual Deaf Tea Ceremony is in honor and recognition of our people who have shown their passion being the leaders and the members of our organizations in all of Maine. We are celebrating our Deaf Community and people who have worked hard as the leaders and served our young deaf, hard-of-hearing students, and students with special needs. Please join us and praise the chosen Deaf adults and student receiving special awards today. We need to work together to make the future strong and never forget the past or what is happening now. Let’s celebrate this month of Deaf Culture Awareness and share with everyone.

(Melinda Smith Meyers, Alumni of Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, received her Bachelor of Social Work from Gallaudet University, Washington, D. C. Later she studied at the University of Orono in Early Intervention with Children with Special Needs and was a children’s case manager in other agencies before she accepted her position at Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH). Melinda currently works as Part C American Sign Language (ASL) Family Trainer/Educational Technician at MECDHH Early Intervention and Family Services and as Deaf Mentor in the Northern-Southern Family Playgroups (Parent Infant Toddler Program). She is also a member of Maine Hands & Voice Organization. Her husband, Bennett Meyers is Deaf, and two adult children are hearing. She also has five granddaughters in Maine.)

(Marlaco Bethune has been at MECDHH/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) since preschool and currently is a graduating senior at Portland High School (PHS). Through his times at PHS; he has been involved with football, wrestling, Junior National Association of the Deaf and involved with two different programs at Portland Arts and Technology High School (Food Services and Masonry). He recently passed his Forklift Certification exam. After receiving the Citizenship Youth Award, he was inspired to attend the Youth Leadership Camp with Deaf/hard-of-hearing community members rallying for him. He is a hard worker, an amazing leader to his peers, and someone who younger Deaf and hard-of-hearing children look up to. He is building skills towards his future career after graduation by either attending postsecondary institution or working somewhere in the community.)

Awards were presented by Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened co-chair, Lisette Bélanger, Commission members, Sitara Sheikh and Regan Thibodeau and Terry Morrell, Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened.

We would like to remind people they can start nominating for the 2023 Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards as soon as now. Contact Nancy Winter at 207-623-7958 or E-mail: Nancy.A.Winter@maine.gov for details.

Pictured: Lisette Bélanger

Citizenship Youth Award

This award is given to a student who is a leader in school and the Deaf community. 

SHERRY FOSTER

Pictured: Sherry Foster

Sherry is an exceptional student and leader. She is a Governor appointed member of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf School Board and a member of the Commission of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened. She is involved with many school activities and leads other students to become future leaders.

Special Commendation Award

This award is given to an individual, agency or business whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserves recognition.

EILEEN CARROLL-WALKER, ROSEMARY FORD, and ST. JOSEPH HEALTHCARE

Pictured: Eileen Carrol-Walker and Rosemary Ford

• Pictured top, left: Eileen Carroll-Walker and Rosemary Ford, St. Joseph Hospital and Cid Pollard, ASL Interpreter
• Pictured top right: Marisa Zastrow and Julia Schafer, ASL Interpreters
• Pictured bottom: Mary Prybylo, St. Joseph Hospital

Eileen Carroll-Walker and Rosemary Ford, St. Joseph Hospital have been diligent to ensure that quality and timely interpreter services are available to our Deaf community to meet their medical needs. They have also begun to film informational videos with closed captions and interpreters to provide access to the Deaf community. Their goal is to do this quarterly. They are very open to improving access to the Deaf community and always welcomes ideas and suggestions. Many of which they have implemented.

Special Recognition Award

This award is given to an individual, agency or business whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserves recognition.

ANNETTE ARSENAULT

Pictured: Annette Arsenault

Pictured: Sitara Sheikh and Annette Arsenault

Annette is always there with a friendly face, willing to support and willing to help. She has worked with many different organizations and has taken on many different roles. Such as Tri-Flying Hands and the Maine Association of the Deaf. Annette is an inspiration to be around and deserves to be recognized for everything she has done for the Deaf community.

Ginny Hewes Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award

This award is given to a person or organization that advocates for the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Maine.

SITARA SHEIKH

Pictured: Sitara Sheikh

Sitara Sheikh was nominated by both individuals in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, people she works with and other Maine residents. 

Sitara Sheikh volunteers her energy and time, serving in many roles in Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD), Maine Hands and Voices, as well as collaborating with other organizations. For Deaf Culture week, Sitara facilitated an impressive diversity panel for the Deaf community. 

Sitara advocates tirelessly for people she works with and advocates for others in the community by promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for all.

Her colleagues and friends in the community summed it up nicely: “Sitara is always the first person to volunteer her time for the needs of individuals in our community. As a VR representative, Sitara has committed her life to improving the employment conditions for all who experience barriers. When you see her, it means things will get done.”  

Outstanding Citizenship Award

This award is given to a person who is a leader in the Deaf community. 

KEVIN L. BOHLIN

Pictured: Kevin Bohlin

Kevin Bohlin has dedicated a lot of time making sure Maine Deaf students and transition students have access to services. Kevin focused on supporting students and encouraging leadership in students at MECDHH and at the Camp Dirigo Experience for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth ages 11 to 14. This camp is uniquely designed to help campers build confidence, develop social and leadership skills, and connect with other students like themselves through guided and immersive outdoor experiences. Kevin has also been involved with Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD).

Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People Award

This award is given to a person who worked to improve Maine’s Deaf community through leadership by promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture or Deaf People.

SANDRA K. WOOD

Pictured: Sandra Wood

Sandra Wood works and teaches with passion to standardize the curriculum at University of Southern Maine (USM) in interpreting, the linguistics foundation, and women in gender studies. This shows that Deaf people can educate others in many content areas. Sandra helped put American Sign Language (ASL) on the map at USM, and she is the ASL Immersion Weekend Chair showing parents of Deaf children the possibilities that exist as well as those in the community and interpreters being able to come together.

Dr. Toni Rees Interpreter Award

This award is given to an American Sign Language interpreter who deserves recognition for outstanding service in a professional and voluntary capacity to their communities.

MARGARET A. HABERMAN

Pictured: Margaret Haberman

Pictured: Margaret Haberman

Margaret Haberman is constantly volunteering her time, committed to professional growth, and committed to encouraging professional growth in others, etc. She’s an incredible mentor who is so committed to the community and best of all, she is rooted in kindness.

Margaret’s kind and generous personality makes her a phenomenal human being, as well as an exceptional interpreter. Her commitment to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community is outstanding. Her professionalism in her roles as an interpreter is beyond impressive.

Clifton F. Rodgers Award

This award is given to a person who deserves recognition for outstanding service in a professional or voluntary capacity to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Maine. 

LAUREL A. KELLY

Pictured: Laurel Kelly

Laurel Kelly volunteers to work with both Deaf and hearing individuals as a mentor, especially young adults. She has been an ASL teacher at Nokomis High School in the past. She has Worked with Karen Hopkins and Carrie Pierce in their summer camps for kids and as a preschool assistant for Karen Hopkins. Laurel has been a job coach and played several roles for the Bangor Deaf Club, Tri Flying Hands Deaf Club, Maine Recreation Association of Deaf, Baxter Alumni Association, and the Deaf Senior Citizens Association.

Pictured left to right: Rosemary Ford and Eileen Carroll-Walker, St. Joseph Hospital, Annette Arsenault, Laurel Kelly, Kevin Bohlin, Sandra Wood, and Sitara Sheikh

Deaf Cultural Festival, September 24, 2022

Pictured: Deaf Cultural Festival Poster

Pictured: Amber Woodcock and Cathy Glover

Pictured: Children sitting outside at the Deaf Culture Festival

Pictured: Child eating cotton candy at the Deaf Culture Festival

Pictured: Child having her face painted

Pictured: Another child having her face painted

Pictured: Tommy Minch in the bouncy house.

Pictured: Smokin Red Caboose-Deaf owned food truck business at the DCF.

Maine DHHS Launches 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

New nationally designed three-digit dialing code is an easy-to-remember connection to help for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis 

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), a national three-digit dialing code serving as an easy-to-remember connection to help for anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis. Individuals can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Nationally, 988 is the new three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). In Maine, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have been routed to the Maine Crisis Line, managed by The Opportunity Alliance since 2018. Maine people who call 988 are routed through the Lifeline network based on their area code and connected to a trained crisis specialist at the Maine Crisis Line or one of the Maine-based backup call centers. Crisis Call Specialists provide therapeutic support and assessment in the moment, and connection to community-based resources such as one of Maine’s regional mobile crisis teams. All 988 callers in Maine continue to be served by local providers.

The Maine Crisis Line will continue to answer calls, texts and chats to the current 10-digit number (1-888-568-1112) and calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK), as well as answer calls to the 988 Lifeline. Texts and chats to 988 continue to be handled by the national Lifeline support center. Regardless of which number individuals dial, calls are answered 24/7 with free, confidential help and support for non-English speaking and deaf or hard of hearing callers.

In the short term, the launch of 988 is key to expanding Maine’s Lifeline call center infrastructure and capacity. Over the longer term, DHHS is working to bolster a crisis response system continuum linking anyone in crisis to community-based providers who can deliver a full range of crisis care services.

The 988 implementation is part of the Department’s broader work with partners throughout the state to strengthen the behavioral health system, including support for Maine people struggling with a mental health crisis. With support from the Governor and Legislature, the Department is investing more than $230 million in state and federal funds over the 2022-23 biennium in the provider workforce and improving access to evidence-based behavioral health services. This includes investing in the state’s first Crisis Receiving Center and strengthening mobile crisis and crisis residential services across the state.

“The 988 Lifeline represents a new, easily accessible front door for Maine’s statewide crisis services,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “We encourage anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or those with concerns about a loved one to dial 988 for compassionate, expert help and a connection to support in their community.”

“The Opportunity Alliance is thrilled to have additional, easy to access support available for Mainers experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Joseph Everett, President and CEO of The Opportunity Alliance. “The compassionate and talented staff at The Maine Crisis Line have been answering the calls of Mainers in crisis for six years, and they will continue to provide dedicated, expert care and support to those who need us most.”

“The launch of 988 in Maine opens doors to hope and support for the 1 in 4 Mainers who are struggling with a mental health challenge, marking an important step in transforming access to appropriate services within their communities,” said Hannah Longley, Senior Clinical Director of Community Programs at NAMI Maine. “As with physical health emergencies, it is our hope that 988 will save lives by providing critical emergency services for mental health and suicidal crises. We look forward to continuing conversations to further normalize and streamline these services.”

“Implementing the 988 line in the State of Maine is another reminder that mental health is equally as important as physical health,” said Maine EMS Director Sam Hurley. “Maine EMS continues to work hand-in-hand with colleagues at DHHS and around the state to ensure that all patients receive the right care at the right time, no matter their emergency. As the 988 system continues to evolve, we will see even further alignment with this mission in ensuring that all patients receive the highest quality care from a well-trained expert as safely as possible.”

The Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.