PROP: Programs

PROP’s Community Services Division ties together a number of services. These include Intake and Referral, Needs Assessment, Resource Management, Budget Counseling, Housing Counseling, and Asset Building Programs (such as teaching Homeownership Classes, Family Development Accounts, and Money Management trainings).

In addition to seeing clients at PROP’s Satellite Offices, we maintain regular, weekly hours at 12 Municipal Offices throughout Cumberland County; we also make home visits on an outreach basis. This allows our Staff to involve clients in resolving their own issues, as well as to make referrals to other Agencies, Churches, Community Organizations, and to the Municipalities themselves, for services and support.

The system in Community Services is designed to provide comprehensive services by addressing a multitude of needs through a single point of entry. Consumers are assessed through a formal process that leads to the development of a service plan. Although the presenting problem is often what brings consumers to our door, more times than not, other needs are more critical to their safety and well being. These are included in the service plan, along with concrete objectives, timelines, and responsibility issues. Many of the concerns that get addressed are obstacles or barriers to consumers achieving self-sufficiency. These may include: physical and/or emotional problems, the lack of childcare, unemployment, housing counseling issues, life skills training, and the lack of budgeting skills, to name a few.

The Staff consists of a Director of Community Services/LSW, a Supervising Program Manager/LSW, a Social Service Representatives (SSR), and an AmeriCorps/VISTA. All Staff persons follow standardized procedures and case file formats.

Under the Asset Building Component of Community Services, we offer the following programs:

NEW CPH Newsletter

Communities Promoting Health

Communities Promoting Health (CPH) is one of the 31 Healthy Maine Partnerships that was created in 2001 to support tobacco-free lifestyles, encourage regular physical activity, and to promote healthy eating. Communities Promoting Health, a community coalition, consists of a diverse and committed group of individuals from all walks of life who have a sincere passion for improving the quality of life for the residents of nine communities in the outer Portland area. Due to strong coalition efforts, CPH was also awarded a One ME - Stand United for Prevention grant. Tobacco prevention and binge drinking in 12-17 year olds was added to our mission and goals.

CPH harnesses the resources of communities, schools and work sites to implement programs and activities that encourage healthy habits and well-being. We believe and support the coordination and implementation of a multitude of health promotion and policy change initiatives in communities, worksites and schools. Some of our efforts include helping worksites to establish wellness programs and environmental changes, helping communities develop infrastructure to promote safe walking routes and biking roadways, addressing the dangers of secondhand smoke and providing technical assistance to create policies that promote clean air, promoting locally grown food, and working with school nutrition departments to offer healthy alternatives at all times.

Partnering with Westbrook School Department we are able to impact students, faculty, staff and families through Coordinated School Health Programming. Combined with the Westbrook partnership is the implementation of research-based model programs that target youth and parents in six other school districts. The Leadership and Resiliency Program strives to support high school students who are identified as having exposure to high risk factors by addressing their behaviors and attitudes that originate from family or community influences. The All Stars is a youth resiliency program at the middle schools that is integrated in the curriculum to teach healthy decision-making and leadership skills. Another youth group, the Youth Advocacy Program, comprises of middle school students who engage in educational and leadership activities by delivering health messages to their schools and communities. Students participate in tobacco prevention efforts, in school-wide nutrition education campaigns, in curriculum based garden programs, and in physical activity initiatives.

Contact Lucie Rioux at 874-1140 ext. 5839 or Amanda Beal at ext. 5838 for more information on Communities Promoting Health.

The Women's Project

The Women's Project is a statewide program for women affected by substance abuse. The program is free and confidential. The primary purpose of The Women's Project is to support women as they consider recovery for themselves or manage their lives in the face of another's addiction. The Women's Project staff can help arrange for transportation and child care, offer support and advocacy, help set goals and strategies, educate about women's health issues, and make referrals to treatment programs.

Contact: The Women's Project - Portland, 874-1140 Ext. 5857 or Women's Project - Bangor, 942-3633, toll free 1-800-611-1779 . Statewide, call toll-free: 1-800-611-1588.

OTHER NUMBERS: AA: 1-800-73-SOBER // Al-Anon: 1-800-498-1844

East End Kids Katering

East End Kids Katering is a non-profit food service company established in 1992 in Portland. Our primary purpose is to reduce hunger in our community by providing quality, nutritous, affordable and accessible meals to children and seniors. We do this by using the proceeds from our social entrepreneurial business wing which offers full service catering for private or business functions.

Services Offered:

Child Care and School Meal Services - We currently serve over 500 lunches Monday-Friday at 10 locations in Greater Portland. At a number of the child care centers we serve, we also provide breakfast and snacks daily. We offer meals during the school year or year round, whichever a program needs. Working with the centers and schools to provide a high quality food program for children is our goal.

Meals for Seniors at Bayview Heights - We provide breakfast and lunch year round to residents at the low income housing complex that our kitchen facilities are located in. We also provide food service for special events, parties, and holidays for the residents.

Summer Food Service Program - We are proud to be an award winning sponsor agency in the Greater Portland area for the USDA Summer Food Service Program. We are now providing over 1,200 lunches daily to children in our community at 18 locations. We collaborate with numerous community partners and volunteers to ensure that meals are available Monday-Friday for children during the summer months when school is out.

East End Katering - Our social entrepreneurial business wing of EEKK, East End Katering offers full service catering for private or business functions. Whether it is for a company party, a business breakfast or lunch, East End Katering's delicious food and beautiful presentation will be a hit. Proceeds from all catering events help support our programs for children and seniors.

For more information, contact Lynn McGrath at 871-8810.

Our Primary work is to assist people toward self-sufficiency through helping them identify and achieve their personal goals. The programs listed in this section focus specifically on person-to-person interaction to help people make positive changes in their lives.

□ Affordable Child Care
□ Head Start and Early Head Start
□ Head Start Collaborations with Public Pre-Kindergarten
□ Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Affordable Child Care

PROP’s child care provides full-day and part-time care year-round for children. Infant and Toddler Care is available at two Portland Locations and one location in South Portland. Child Care for pre-schoolers is available in Gorham, Portland, and South Portland. School-Age child care is available at Kaler Elementary School in South Portland.

Subsidized child care fees are on a sliding scale and are based on household income and family size. In order to qualify for subsidized child are slots, parents must be working, or going to school, or in job training. All sites are licensed and staffed by child care professionals.

We accept Aspire and Transitional child care clients. We also have some slots available without any regard to income

Head Start and Early Head Start

PROP administers the federal Head Start program in Cumberland County for children aged 3-5. This program is FREE to qualifying families. Head Start offers a low child-to-teacher ratio, lots of individual attention, 14 sites in Cumberland county, and supportive services and education for the parents. In Head Start, children learn through play and enjoy nutritious meals and snacks. Their families gain access to health and social service resources.

Head Start sites are located in: Bridgton, Casco, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, and Windham. All sites are licensed and staffed by child care professionals.

Early Head Start provides trained professionals with early childhood education experience to act as “Parent Partners” who make weekly home visits to pregnant mothers, children age 0-3 and their families. The primary purpose is to build a healthy parent-child relationship. Components of the program include education and child development opportunities, social services referrals, and guidance and referrals for health, mental health, and nutrition concerns.

To apply for the above programs or for questions, Contact Michelle Cartier, 874-1140 ext. 5810

Head Start partners with the Public School System. This program is funded through Federal and Department of Education Dollars. Transportation is provided. To be eligible for these programs children must be 4 years of age and live in the transportation route. This is a FREE program, income and family size is considered, however there are some slots available with no regard to income. Sites are located in: Riverton and Presumpscot Schools in Portland and Prides Corner and Saccarappa Schools in Westbrook.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children)

PROP administers the federal WIC program for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women and their children up to age 5. (Fathers cannot receive direct benefits but are encouraged to apply on behalf of their young children.) The program provides the following benefits:

Foster Grandparents

PROP's Foster Grandparent Program offers diverse opportunities for seniors, 60 and over, to volunteer with children and families with special and exceptional needs.

Over 125 Foster Grandparents are providing support to children at more than fifty locations in Cumberland and York Counties. The placements include child development centers and Head Start programs, public school classrooms, long-term residential programs and Maine Medical Center and homes with children with special needs.

Foster Grandparents provide one-to-one guidance for children with learning disabilities, children requiring assistance in academic subjects and children in need of individual attention, nurturing and support.

Foster Grandparents volunteer 20 hours per week in their placements. In return for volunteering the Foster Grandparent receives a non-taxable stipend, assistance with meals and travel, supervision recognition and ongoing training.

All volunteers participate in a pre-service orientation, attend monthly Inservice meetings for continuing education, and receive assistance with meals, travel, annual physical and recognition.

Typical assignments of a Foster Grandparent in the classroom include helping students with their reading and writing in a caring and patient way. In Child Care and Head Start settings, the Foster Grandparent helps children make the transition from home by being a positive, loving presence in the facility.

Foster Grandparents also provide Homebased support services to families with special needs self referred and referred by the Maine Department of Human Services, City of Portland Public Health Department and other community agencies. Home-based services are designed to provide role modeling, promote positive parenting skills, reduce family isolation and provide skills in well-baby care, household management and nutrition.

Family Friends

Family Friends provide in-home support and companionship for families and children facing special life challenges. Family Friends listen and respond to children's needs in a non-judgmental way. A lifetime of experience makes it easy for them to become a valuable role model and advocate for the family.

For those interested in the arts, Family Friends Opening Doors promotes positive relationships between the generations by bringing together adults over age 55 and children in Portland’s Parkside neighborhood. Participants learn with one another and develop bonds through shared experiences such as community service projects, performing arts, gardening and cooking.

Typical assignments for Homebased Foster Grandparent and Family Friends include visiting families, playing and reading with children or holding babies while providing support and companionship to parents. This is not babysitting or housecleaning. Special bonds are developed between the families and the senior volunteer.

Major funding is provided by Corporation for National and Community Service, the Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency, which supports more than 200 Foster Grandparent Programs in all fifty states. In addition PROP receives support from the Administration on Aging, State of Maine, the City of Portland, Maine Medical Center, United Way of Greater Portland, Cumberland County Commissioners, United Way of York County, private donations and fund-raising events. A fifteen member Advisory Council, composed of community representatives and foster grandparents, provides advice and assistance to the program.

Senior Companions

We have received funding from the South Portland Housing and Community Development block grant program to develop a Senior Companion Program. Senior Companions work with social workers from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging and other senior-related organizations in South Portland to support the independence of frail and vulnerable seniors. Senior Companions are individuals age 60 and over who volunteer 20 hours per week to aid other seniors in leisure activities, assist them with grocery shopping, accompany them to medical appointments, or just visit with them in their home. Senior Companions may also provide short periods of relief to primary caregivers.

Senior Companions attend pre-service and inservice trainings on such topics as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and issues related to mental health. For their service, Senior Companions who live on a low income receive $2.65 per hour (tax free), reimbursement for transportation, annual physical examinations, meals, and gap accident and liability insurance during service.

To start serving the needs of seniors in South Portland, contact us at 773-0202.

Having attended many in-services over the years, my expectations were not high, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I am impressed by the caliber of the PROP Staff and the speakers; not only by their knowledge, but by their professionalism and attitude of genuine caring.

Youth Resiliency Project

The Youth Resiliency Project is committed to focusing on the strengths of youth, families and their communities. We believe youth are naturally strong and rich with leadership, honesty, creativity, courage, insight, and determination. We acknowledge that a host of factors create barriers to self-determination for all individuals – and we strive to help people face and overcome these barriers. We also believe the surest way to help youth and families survive and thrive in the face of these challenges is by helping them turn their strengths into action and advocacy.

YRP’s mission, “To create opportunities for youth to discover their resiliency, develop skills and take meaningful action in their lives and communities” is being accomplished through six programs areas: A Company of Girls, Maine Youth Action Network, Neighborhoods For Youth,

Contact Kaki Dimock, 874-1140 ext. 5866 for information on the Youth Resiliency Project.

Maine Youth Action Network

Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) trains, supports, connects and advocates for youth organized to affect positive change through school and community-based peer programs. We strive to promote youth involvement and empowerment in our work and support organizations in taking this important step. MYAN facilitates regional support networks, coordinates an email-based communication network, and publishes youth created newsletters and a web page at www.myan.org

We provide training and technical assistance, organize the Annual Peer Leader Conference attended by over 400 youth and adults statewide, as well projects with the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program, and the Teen and Young Adult Health Program. MYAN works to help peer programs fulfill their missions of making a difference in their schools, communities, and in the state. This project is a partnership with the Muskie School’s Institute for Public Sector Innovation, funded by a collaborative contract at the Maine Bureau of Health.

Visit the Maine Youth Action Network web page at 20 Below, a section by and for Maine teens on the Maine Today website:

Neighborhoods For Youth

Neighborhoods for Youth (NFY) was created in 2001 to help neighborhoods organize and create resources that work together to support youth both directly and by strengthening parents, families, neighbors and the community as a whole. As its first initiative, NFY has worked for the past three years to assist the Parkside neighborhood in Portland to realize a two decades old dream of developing a neighborhood center that will provide opportunities for the kinds of relationships, services, learning opportunities and experiences that foster vital, connected and healthy individuals, families and community. The highly collaborative, community-driven Center is set to open in spring 2005.

At the request of the founding Steering Committee and with extensive and ongoing community input, PROP has taken the lead role in creating this Center. The services in this unique Center will be provided collaboratively by a diverse group of tenant and non-tenant partners, including PROP, Community Policing, Portland Adult Education and SPIRAL Arts. Guidance for Center activities will be provided by a Resident Advisory Board, as well as a Youth Advisory Board.

Through visual, performing and life skill arts, educational workshops, mentoring, and community service, participants in Open Door Community Arts learn new skills, make new relationships and have more understanding of one another and themselves. An integral aspect of the program is the use of the "art process" as an inter-relationship, communication and community developer for youth and adults. Trust and inspiration between generations is built through collaboration, co-creation and development of creative art projects. This, in turn, creates supportive and nurturing communities that will foster positive, healthy child and youth development.

Peer Leader Program

The Peer Leader Program (PLP) was founded in 1987 by staff and interns working at PROP. In its first year, it recruited and trained 19 youth leaders from the Riverton Park and Kennedy Park neighborhoods. Since that time, the program has grown to serve over 300 youth annually in four public housing neighborhoods: Riverton Park, Kennedy Park, Front Street and Sagamore Village.

Peer Leader provides youth access to the kinds of relationships, experiences and skills that support positive development, healthy decisions and the ability to be resilient throughout their lives. By letting youth guide the process, plan activities and evaluate the program and their own progress, Peer Leader creates opportunities for youth to lead. Because family and community are key resources for youth, PLP actively creates opportunities to engage them in the program as volunteers and advisors.