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
Fall 2023
Deep Rest For Advocates
September 27th 2:30p-3:15p Register Here
Deep Rest for Advocates is a guided meditation exercise 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 any fancy clothing, just a chair and your willingness to breathe for 30 minutes.
Navigating DHHS contracts
TBD
2024
Evaluation Lunch'n'Learn
May 8th 12:00-1:00p Zoom Link
Come and chat about how using client evaluation is working for you and your team!
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!
September 27th 2:30p-3:15p Register Here
Deep Rest for Advocates is a guided meditation exercise 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 any fancy clothing, just a chair and your willingness to breathe for 30 minutes.
Navigating DHHS contracts
TBD
2024
Evaluation Lunch'n'Learn
May 8th 12:00-1:00p Zoom Link
Come and chat about how using client evaluation is working for you and your team!
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
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 Last Thursday of the month (No July or August) | 12:00pm-1:00pm Zoom link Contact: Hyde Client Services Peer Support Call Bimonthly 1p-2p Open to all center staff Client Services Call Notes Zoom Link Contact: Kayce October 17 - Creating a community of care. December 19 - Managing Challenging Calls February 20 -Wanting to provide more tangible supports April 16 - Sudden stops in communication w/ callers June 18 - Supporting Trans Survivors August 20 - Schools not responding appropriately 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 Helpline Volunteer Managers Peer Support Call Volunteer Management Call Notes Zoom Link Contact: Kayce Bimonthly on the 4th Tuesday|2p-3:30p September 26 | Energize Training and Vol Management Practices: Center Sharing November 28 | Energize Training and Communication & Retention |
Director Call
Weekly on Thursdays | 9:00am-10:30am Contact: Jess Family Advocate Peer Sharing Call Bimonthly| 8:30am-10am October 19 Contact: Kayce Forensic Interviewer Peer Review Quarterly (February, May, August, November)| 9:00am-11:00am November 9 and 14 Contact: Hyde Incarcerated Services Peer Support Call Incarcerated Services Call Notes Bimonthly Contact: Carlie October 10 |1:00pm-2:00pm | Facilitating support groups December 12 |1:00pm-2:00pm | TBD Prevention Peer Support Call Prevention Call Notes 2nd Thursday of every month | 3-4pm July | No meeting August 12 | Review and discuss statewide prevention goals September 14 October 12 Contact: Lisa for Zoom link password Rural Advocate Peer Support Call Rural Call Notes *ON HOLD UNTIL EQUITY & ACCESS COORDINATOR IS HIRED* Upcoming Topics: Landscape of Recovery & Detox Services; Working with Island Communities, Topic: Title IX & Rural Colleges Contact: Jess 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 on the 3rd Tuesday Contact: Carlie November 21 | 1:00pm-2:00pm | TBD January 16 | 1:00pm-2:00pm | 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 4 |1:00pm-3:00pm | Survivor leadership
December 6 |9:00am-11:00am | Working with New Mainer youth at risk of trafficking
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 4 |1:00pm-3:00pm | Survivor leadership
December 6 |9:00am-11:00am | Working with New Mainer youth at risk of trafficking
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. |