Rep. Arata's News from the Legislature

Town of New Gloucester 385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)

Town of Poland 1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274 (207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)

Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funds Will Help Maine People Cope With Psychological Impacts of COVID-19

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will use nearly $1 million in federal funding awarded last week for a program to help Maine people cope with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Support will be offered directly to individuals exposed to the virus and through proactive outreach aimed at reducing long-term behavioral health impacts.  This funding will support additional boots on the ground to help those in Maine facing behavioral health challenges now and to prevent post-COVID challenges in the long-term.

Individuals are increasingly reaching out for behavioral health support in the face of the pandemic.  Maine's Intentional Warm Line, which offers non-crisis peer support to adults, has received more than 6,000 calls since March 30, 2020, an increase of 40 percent.  Call duration increased 60 percent over the same period to an average of nearly 22 minutes.

The DHHS will use $989,045 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to do the following.

1. Contract with behavioral health providers and organizations to offer crisis counseling to individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, close contacts of such individuals, and people living or working in an outbreak setting. Community health workers will be trained to provide psychological and emotional support, assessment and case management, and facilitate connections to Maine CDC contact tracers.  Behavioral health providers will stand ready to offer additional support to individuals with more significant psychiatric needs.  This work supplements the ongoing work of the Maine CDC’s Behavioral Health Response Team, whose trained volunteers have been responding to outbreak settings to help minimize the impacts and support those affected.
2. Launch a public awareness campaign offering information on expected emotional reactions to public health emergencies, building resilience and coping skills, knowing what warning signs to watch for, and when and how to seek help. While the campaign will serve the general public, it will target those with pre-existing behavioral health conditions, first responders and healthcare workers, and those experiencing significant economic impacts from the pandemic.
3. Support the Maine Frontline Warmlinefor first responders and healthcare workers, NAMI Maine Teen Text Support Line, bolster the Intentional Warm Line, and add psychological first aid as a service accessible through Maines 2-1-1 system.

The Maine DHHS will also assess the behavioral health needs of various communities, including people of color, such as new Mainers, tribes, first responders, and healthcare workers, to determine how best to direct future resources.  The DHHS plans to apply for a second round of federal funding to extend this project over a longer term, recognizing that public health emergencies have both immediate and long-term psychological impacts.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency is the direct recipient of this award and will transfer the funds to DHHS.

Visit the Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health for mental health and substance use disorder information and resources available during the pandemic online here.

Helplines

• 24/7 Statewide Crisis Line 888-568-1112
• 24/7 Intentional Warm Line 866-771-9276
• 24/7 Suicide Hotline 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
• 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
• Maine FrontLine WarmLine for healthcare workers and first responders: 221-8196, free, confidential support 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week
• NAMI Maine Teen Text Support Line515-8398 (TEXT)
• 2-1-1 and org

Maine DHHS Regional Offices Resume Regular Business Hours

Department continues to promote measures to protect the health and safety of the public and employees

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has resumed normal business hours at its 16 regional offices in line with Stage 2 of the reopening plan, while continuing to promote physical distancing, face coverings, and other measures to protect the health and safety of the public and employees.

As of June 8, DHHS offices are again open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Each office is appropriately staffed to meet the current demand for in-person assistance.  Employees are required to wear a cloth face covering when interacting with the public and when away from their desks.

Visitors will be required to wear a cloth face covering upon entry.  Hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray and/or wipes are available throughout the offices.  Signage is posted with reminders about physical distancing, face coverings, and hand washing, and noting occupancy limits in common areas.

No one should enter a DHHS office if exhibiting any flu-like symptoms or if they have been in close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 or suspected by a medical professional to have COVID-19.

On March 17, in line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DHHS offices limited in-person interactions with the public to accepting drop-off paperwork only while encouraging clients to fill out and submit applications and reviews for programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food supplement (SNAP), and MaineCare online through My Maine Connection.  Office hours also were previously limited to 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to protect health and safety during earlier stages of the pandemic.

While DHHS offices have resumed normal hours and in-person assistance, individuals are still encouraged to submit applications online and to use the toll-free number 1 (855) 797-4357, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for questions and assistance regarding applications and program eligibility.

The Department has prepared to gradually ramp up activities and operations in line with the Governor’s reopening plan.  This transition is guided by the principles of protecting employee and visitor health and safety, data-informed decision-making, and efficiently and effectively delivering services that are critical to Maine people.

While a limited number of employees are returning to their workplaces in the regional offices, most DHHS employees are still working remotely and will continue to do so until further notice.

MaineHousing Extend Rent Relief Program

MaineHousing announced an extension of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.  The rental assistance program, established in April, allows households that meet certain income and ability to pay requirements to receive a one-time, up to $500 payment in rental assistance to be paid directly to their landlord.  With the extension, the Program now covers rent for the months of April, May, or June. 

Since its creation in April, the Program has served more than 5,200 Maine households in April and May, with 2,800 applications still in process.  Program statistics may be found here.

Each household that meets certain income and ability to pay requirements may receive a one-time, up to $500 payment in rental assistance paid directly to their landlord.  When a landlord accepts payment, they agree not to evict the tenant for nonpayment for the month the payment was issued.  MaineHousing will continue to administer the program on a statewide level with local implementation provided by Maine’s community action agencies.

Those who received rent relief through this program in April or May are not eligible for program funds in June.  Those who applied in April and May but have yet to hear back from their local community action agency should contact that agency to check on the status of their application.  A list of agencies and their service areas can be found here (PDF).

People who live in subsidized housing are not eligible for this program, because they have other programs available to them and should contact their property manager. 

Applicants can find application materials and answers to commonly asked questions here.  Materials are also available in six additional languages.

Sign Up for Maine Ready

Maine Ready is a joint effort of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Maine CDC - Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), and Volunteer Maine, the State service commission.  Along with their partners, these agencies have a role in volunteer and donations management during a declared emergency.

This site provides State, county, and other emergency response and management organizations a virtual way to coordinate offers of help with on-the-ground needs for assistance.  It will be used, to the extent practical, during emergencies and disasters in place of physical volunteer and donation centers.  The site not only is mobile-friendly, but does have an app that can be downloaded from your phone -- just search "Volunteer Get Connected."

Prior to any event, public and nonprofit organizations that have a designated role at the local, county, or State level are asked to establish their account and stage the needs that are essential in any response.  Information on how to do this can be obtained from your usual State partner.

Members of the public with skills or interests that are likely to be needed during a response may establish a profile on the site during "blue skies."  This makes you visible to the responding organizations who may reach out to you with offers of training, exercise participation, or other volunteer opportunities.

The Maine Ready Team

• Maine CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness - Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) protects the lives of people in Maine from natural or man-made public health threats or emergencies.  PHEP strengthens the ability of health agencies and partner organizations by facilitating essential services.  The Maine CDC PHEP is responsible for the development and implementation of public health emergency planning, as well as the coordination of emergency resources in the State of Maine.  Visit the Maine CDC PHEP Web site to learn more.
• MEMA - The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is a bureau of the Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management.  At the State level, MEMA coordinates the mitigation (risk reduction) preparedness, response, and recovery from emergencies and disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or hazardous materials spills.  The MEMA also provides guidance and assistance to county and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to provide protection to citizen and property, and increase resiliency in the face of disaster.  The Agency uses strategies, such as planning, training, exercise, and public education to carry out its mission.  Since 2001, the MEMA has been the focal point for the implementation of programs regarding Homeland Security, integrating these concerns into its all-hazard mission. Visit the MEMA Web site to learn more.
• Volunteer Maine - Volunteer Maine, the State service commission, builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy.  Volunteer Maine was established in 1994 by executive order and under State statute in 1995.  The 25 board members of the Volunteer Maine Commission are appointed by the Governor to three-year terms and each represents a specific segment of Maine's volunteer sector.  Volunteer Maine is Maine Government’s partner for the federal Corporation for National Service.  Visit the Volunteer Maine Web site to learn more.