The following table outlines MECASA’s regular offerings. The table is separated by:
Member center directors review and approve all new peer calls, workgroups, and formal groups. They also review some, but not all, scheduled trainings. Center staff are always advised to make decisions about which offerings to attend in collaboration with their supervisor/director. For offerings with teal lettering under the “who’s invited” – directors are specifically asked to select what staff (if any) will be participating.
- Peer Support Calls (calls designed to connect staff with shared roles, on topics connected to their work, or with shared identities)
- Workgroups (cohorts who are developing shared statewide programming together)
- Formal Groups (Councils/Committees) - groups with diverse purposes which are formally structured
Member center directors review and approve all new peer calls, workgroups, and formal groups. They also review some, but not all, scheduled trainings. Center staff are always advised to make decisions about which offerings to attend in collaboration with their supervisor/director. For offerings with teal lettering under the “who’s invited” – directors are specifically asked to select what staff (if any) will be participating.
Trainings
2024
Support Group Facilitation Workshop on Support Groups for Youth
October 30th, 1-2:30. Contact Kayce FMI.
Deep Rest For Advocates
January 21st, 2025, 3p-3:45p
April 28th, 2025, 3p-3:45p
July 24th, 2025, 3p-3:45p
Deep Rest for Advocates is a guided meditation exercise led by Molly Donlan, rooted in the practices of Yoga Nidra and Reiki to help reduce burnout related to trauma exposure. Scientific studies show that these practices have helped to improve symptoms of PTSD in soldiers, reduce burnout in hospital workers, and relieve anxiety for college students, among other benefits! For 30 minutes, you don’t have to help anyone make decisions, and you don’t need to be a space holder for others. You get to be physically & energetically held in a virtual container that is for you and your needs. Doing nothing is everything here. You won’t need a yoga mat or fancy clothing, just a chair and your willingness to breathe.
Navigating DHHS contracts
TBD
Evaluation Lunch'n'Learn
November 6th 12:00-1:00p Zoom Link
Come and chat about how using client evaluation is working for you and your team!
October 30th, 1-2:30. Contact Kayce FMI.
Deep Rest For Advocates
January 21st, 2025, 3p-3:45p
April 28th, 2025, 3p-3:45p
July 24th, 2025, 3p-3:45p
Deep Rest for Advocates is a guided meditation exercise led by Molly Donlan, rooted in the practices of Yoga Nidra and Reiki to help reduce burnout related to trauma exposure. Scientific studies show that these practices have helped to improve symptoms of PTSD in soldiers, reduce burnout in hospital workers, and relieve anxiety for college students, among other benefits! For 30 minutes, you don’t have to help anyone make decisions, and you don’t need to be a space holder for others. You get to be physically & energetically held in a virtual container that is for you and your needs. Doing nothing is everything here. You won’t need a yoga mat or fancy clothing, just a chair and your willingness to breathe.
- Auto Closed Captioning will be turned on.
- Session will not include any printed materials.
- Sessions are for staff and volunteer advocates.
Navigating DHHS contracts
TBD
Evaluation Lunch'n'Learn
November 6th 12:00-1:00p Zoom Link
Come and chat about how using client evaluation is working for you and your team!
WebinARS
Webinar: Ableism, Sexual Violence, and Survivors with I/DD
December 5th
1:30pm- 4pm
Quinn Elleen Gormley
All center staff
Click here to register
Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation for Sexual Assault Advocates
December 11th
10am to 2pm
Carlie Fischer & Hyde Nichols
All center staff
Click here to register
Sibling Abuse
TBD
Jess Andrus
CAC Staff and MDTs
Assisted and Adaptive Communication
TBD
Quinn Elleen Gormley
All center staff
Most past MECASA webinars can be accessed by viewing the Webinar Playlist on our YouTube page here.
December 5th
1:30pm- 4pm
Quinn Elleen Gormley
All center staff
Click here to register
Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation for Sexual Assault Advocates
December 11th
10am to 2pm
Carlie Fischer & Hyde Nichols
All center staff
Click here to register
Sibling Abuse
TBD
Jess Andrus
CAC Staff and MDTs
Assisted and Adaptive Communication
TBD
Quinn Elleen Gormley
All center staff
Most past MECASA webinars can be accessed by viewing the Webinar Playlist on our YouTube page here.
Peer SUPPORT CALLS
MECASA hosts role-specific, optional Peer Support Calls via Zoom. These calls are designed to connect staff throughout the state, share ideas, and stay up-to-date on resources.
Click on the title of the call to learn more about its purpose, plan, and which staff should consider attending.
Click on the title of the call to learn more about its purpose, plan, and which staff should consider attending.
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BIPOC Peer Support Call
For Maine & Vermont DV/SA Advocates Facilitated by René Goddess Bi-monthly onThursdays (No July or August) | 12:00pm-1:00pm November: 7, 21 December: 5,19 Zoom link Contact: Quinn Client Services Peer Support Call Bimonthly 1p-2p Open to all center staff Call Notes Zoom Link Contact: Kayce December 17 - Supporting Trans Survivors Communications Cohort Call Communications Cohort Call Notes This call is for center staff working in communications/outreach and selected to participate by their director. Last Wednesday of each month | 11:00a -12:30p Contact: Jessica Directors' Call Weekly on Thursdays | 9:00am-10:30am Contact: Jess Family Advocate Peer Sharing Call Third Thursday of every other month| 8:30am-10am Contact: Jess R Finance & Grant Peer Support Call 2nd Wednesday of every other month| 1:00pm-2:30pm Contact: David Forensic Interviewer Peer Review Quarterly (February, May, August, November)| 9:00am-12:00pm Contact: Jess R. Forensic Interviewer Peer Support Call Currently Monthly, but varies | Varies Contact: Jess R. |
Helpline Volunteer Managers Call
Call Notes Zoom Link Contact: Kayce or Jessica Bimonthly on the 4th Tuesday|2p-3:30p Upcoming meeting dates: January 28 & March 25 Incarcerated Services Call Incarcerated Services Call Notes Bimonthly 1PM to 2PM on the 4th Thursday Contact: Carlie December 26th - CANCELLED February 27th - Topic TBD April 24th - Topic TBD June 26th - Topic TBD August 28th - Topic TBD October 23rd - Topic TBD December 25th - CANCELLED Prevention Peer Support Call Prevention Call Notes 2nd Thursday of every month | 3-4pm Contact: Lisa for Zoom link password Rural Advocate Peer Support Call Rural Call Notes Upcoming Topics: December 13 (1-2p): Rural Incarceration and Supporting Incarcerated and Recently Incarcerated survivors Contact: Quinn Supervisor Learning Cohort 4th Thursday of each month| 11:00am-12:00pm Contact: Sarah Systems/SART Peer Support Call (Open to all center staff) Systems Call Notes Bimonthly 1PM to 2PM on the 3rd Tuesday Contact: Carlie November 19 - Protection From Abuse Orders January 21 - Addressing cultural differences in SARTs March 18 - Topic TBD May 20 - Topic TBD July 15 - Topic TBD September 16 - Topic TBD November 18 - Topic TBD |
Welcome calls for center staff
FORMAL GROUP (COUNCILS/COMMITTEES)
Member Advisory Council (MAC)
The Member Advisory Council (MAC) is comprised of the directors of MECASA member programs. Below is a list of their responsibilities:
STEN Provider Council
The Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network (STEN) provides training, technical assistance, and resources to direct service providers engaged in anti-trafficking efforts in Maine, as well as community awareness and public policy support.
Contact: Carlie
October 2 |1:00pm-3:00pm - Outreach (prep for HT Awareness Month, coordinating efforts, service map, etc.)
December 4 |9:00am-11:00am - Trauma-informed investigation techniques
CAC Provider Council (More details coming soon)
The Children’s Advocacy Center Provider Council was established as a means of meeting criteria for accreditation by the National Children's Alliance and offering critical networking and collaborative opportunities to strengthen the statewide CAC model.
Contact: Jess
Racial Equity Stewardship Committee
The Member Advisory Council (MAC) is comprised of the directors of MECASA member programs. Below is a list of their responsibilities:
- With MECASA, Set Vision and Direction for Statewide Services
- Inform and Implement Statewide Programming & Messaging
- Represent Local Centers & Communities to MECASA; Represent MECASA to Local Centers & Communities
- Provide Peer Support and Community for SASCs
STEN Provider Council
The Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network (STEN) provides training, technical assistance, and resources to direct service providers engaged in anti-trafficking efforts in Maine, as well as community awareness and public policy support.
- The goal of the STEN provider council is to provide a forum for providers of direct service for trafficking and exploitation victims to share efforts taking place locally. This forum will promote statewide communication, cooperation and collaboration among all providers, to improve outcomes for victims across Maine.
- All direct service providers represented on the AG’s Trafficking Work Group and service provider chairs of local anti-trafficking multidisciplinary teams are invited to participate
Contact: Carlie
October 2 |1:00pm-3:00pm - Outreach (prep for HT Awareness Month, coordinating efforts, service map, etc.)
December 4 |9:00am-11:00am - Trauma-informed investigation techniques
CAC Provider Council (More details coming soon)
The Children’s Advocacy Center Provider Council was established as a means of meeting criteria for accreditation by the National Children's Alliance and offering critical networking and collaborative opportunities to strengthen the statewide CAC model.
Contact: Jess
Racial Equity Stewardship Committee
WORKGROUPS
EmpowerDB Committee
The group has two main goals:
1.Review requested/suggested changes to the database and inform decisions about those changes
2. Support communication about database practices (including changes) with your teams to help improve data entry consistency state-wide
Advocate Training Workgroup
This workgroup develops and updates Advocate Training materials, shares training and facilitation resources, and discusses issues and needs related to Advocate Training.
Helpline Workgroup
Through this workgroup MECASA and centers continue to develop strong partnerships with each other with the goal of providing the highest quality of helpline services possible that strive to be in line with the best and most promising known practices.
Prevention Curriculum Workgroup
Public Policy and Legislative Workgroup
The group has two main goals:
1.Review requested/suggested changes to the database and inform decisions about those changes
2. Support communication about database practices (including changes) with your teams to help improve data entry consistency state-wide
Advocate Training Workgroup
This workgroup develops and updates Advocate Training materials, shares training and facilitation resources, and discusses issues and needs related to Advocate Training.
Helpline Workgroup
Through this workgroup MECASA and centers continue to develop strong partnerships with each other with the goal of providing the highest quality of helpline services possible that strive to be in line with the best and most promising known practices.
Prevention Curriculum Workgroup
Public Policy and Legislative Workgroup
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Looking for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault? Head to mecasa.org. |