Program Support

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Recovery

We’ve partnered with local organizations to address substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery to address the opiate crisis. We’re funding the expansion of substance use treatment and recovery support on the Island, including: formation of a “mini hub” so people in recovery can receive treatment close to home, implementation of harm reduction strategies including medication training, support for patient co-pays, programming for friends and family impacted by addition, and school-based curriculum development.

We also facilitate a coalition to address and prioritize community needs related to substance use. The group, who meets monthly, is made of local nonprofit organizations, concerned community members, employers, town officials, land trusts, and more.

Medical Appointment Transportation

Friends in Action (FIA), an Ellsworth-based nonprofit, offers free transportation services to residents of Hancock County. The organization maintains a robust database that matches requests for rides with drivers, while meeting the training and insurance needs of volunteers. We helped create an Island Transportation Liaison position, recruiting volunteer drivers and assisting Island patients in signing up for these services.

School-Based Health Programming

The five-year Substance Use Prevention Plan aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and support that will help them navigate life’s difficulties without turning to substance use. Social-emotional learning and resiliency are key components of this work. Initiatives include additional counseling services to students and families, school presentations, and curriculum on topics related to substance use, implementation of a standards-based health curriculum, and the introduction of a comprehensive after school program open to all students grades 3-12.

We also partner with the school district to provide health services, including twice-yearly dental fluoride treatments to Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School students.

Memorial Ambulance Corps

The Community Paramedicine program allows EMTs to make weekly home visits to at-risk island residents to aid in screening of vitals, assist in prescription compliance, and help to ensure overall wellbeing. Local healthcare providers refer patients to this service with the ultimate goal of reducing trips to the emergency room.

Recognizing the value that the Memorial Ambulance Corps (and its volunteers) bring to our community, we were happy to provide grant funding toward the purchase of a new ambulance in 2015.

Salt Air Seniors

Salt Air Seniors, hosted by Healthy Island Project, is a group of older adults (60+), who gather twice a month for socializing and activities. Meetups are free, provide lunch, and regularly include a field trip into the community. We are proud to subsidize this program that promotes healthy aging and community involvement. 

Camp Kooky

We fund scholarships, so that children, ages 5-12 years old, can have an exciting and educational camp experience, regardless of their ability to pay. Camp Kooky’s health programming includes hiking, swim lessons, cooking lessons, and physical activities, from yoga to dodgeball to dance-a-thons. Camp Kooky is a program of the Island Community Center.