Community Driven Solutions

Map of Maine with Washington County and Baileyville highlighted

Starting in the town of Baileyville, located in Washington County, Maine, the Maine Community Connections Initiative has made great strides in improving the health and well-being around the county, including:

Implemented and expanded the school-based, community health worker (CHW)-supported, tele-behavioral health program across all four schools in the AOS 90 school district.
Adult education courses were re-launched with a focus on helping youth who lost their connection to school complete their high school diploma or earn an equivalency certificate. In addition, enrichment learning courses were offered on topics, like learning how to knit, food preservation safety, sound baths, and more.
A digital equity plan was developed in coordination with the National Digital Equity Center, resulting in offering classes, such as safety on the web, banking online, and underestanding mobile phone features.

Our Results

$1.8M

raised from non-governmental sources to develop and implement programs in Washington County, Maine

948

public school students now have access to health care via telehealth

71%

of AOS 90 students have more access to food through school-run food pantry and distribution programs

“I can't imagine our community without the services we now have in place for students and community members … it's wonderful to see us focusing on ALL members of our community. I have been a lifelong resident of this community and finally see us doing something that is really focusing on the individual groups that exist in our town while at the same time trying to see how we can have students, seniors, and community members come together to make their community better. Very exciting work!”

—Patricia Metta
Superintendent (2021–2023), AOS 90

In this video, learn more about school-based tele-behavioral health services at Princeton Elementary School from those directly involved:

Recent Developments

Enhanced Learning Opportunities

From July 2022–June 2024, students received on-the-job training and completed driver’s education thanks to a grant from Maine Department of Education that focused on job readiness, hands-on learning, and high-need careers.

More Out of School Time

The More Out of School Time (MOST) program allowed fourth- to sixth-grade students to take field trips and learn about industries and career opportunities in Washington County, including border patrol, blueberry farming, real estate, and more.

Baileyville Community Connections Center

The Baileyville Community Connections Center opened in early 2024 and hosts community events and classes, offers telehealth access points, and more.

Infrastructure Improvements

Federal funding was received to replace aging pipes, repave in-town streets, and install a new playground.

Food Security and Clothing Pantry Programs

In 2023, two school-based food security programs and a clothing pantry were launched in two schools to aid students and their families. Such a resource is vital as more than one in three student families experience food insecurity.

Health Training

In April 2023, first aid, CPR, and AED training were offered for high school students and followed by priority status for employment by the Baileyville Recreation Department to aid in staffing programs. Also, similar training was provided for adults working in summer school and recreation programs at East Range School within AOS 90.

Community Garden

Students assisted in sowing, maintaining, and harvesting a new school garden where produce was taken home by students.

Enhanced Learning Curriculum

Princeton Elementary School introduced mind^up, an evidence-based social emotional learning curriculum, with grants received by MCD that paid for the curriculum and staff training.

“I was at the elementary school playground with our navigator and overheard one of the students say to a friend, 'Hey, your parents are having problems. I’ve been going to therapy, maybe you should go to therapy, too.' It was such a great moment to witness – no stigma, no shame, just one kid talking to his friend. That’s the kind of impact that the numbers just don’t measure."

—Jessica Melhiser
Manager, Children's Health Program
Aroostook Mental Health Services, 2023

Interested in setting up this kind of program in your community?

Access the free School-Based Telehealth Toolkit on Telehealth Classroom

Review materials from the Mental Health Promotion in the School Setting ECHO