The decision by the LePage administration to end the state's 27 Healthy Maine Partnerships will cause the partnership serving Washington and Hancock counties to lose close to half of its funding, but the organization hopes to be able to serve as a subcontractor to the new statewide providers and is optimistic it will continue to provide all of its programs Downeast.
     Since 2001 the Healthy Maine Partnerships have focused on substance use, tobacco and chronic disease prevention, through the use of tobacco settlement funds. September 30 marked the end of that funding for all of the partnerships, as the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, with little public explanation, decided instead to rely on five large organizations, almost if not all based in southern Maine, to tackle five public health areas: substance use prevention; tobacco use and exposure; obesity prevention; youth engagement and empowerment; and health communications. These organizations will contract with local groups, though, to carry out their mission.
     Because of this change, Healthy Acadia will lose a total of $643,579 in funding, which amounts to 43% of its nearly $1.5 million budget for 2016, according to Elsie Flemings, executive director of Healthy Acadia. Along with $482,941 in Healthy Maine Partnership funds, the organization will lose the $114,638 in "Partnerships for Success" federal substance prevention pass through funds and $45,000 in gambling prevention and other federal substance prevention funds.
      Concerning the effect on the organization in being able to leverage other funding, Flemings says, "We have had significant success in leveraging other community and public health funds to address local health needs in Washington and Hancock counties, and we will work diligently to continue this success. We have also applied to be the local provider of the state prevention services -- the new structure utilizing the same funds -- and we are hopeful that we will be able to partner with the state and statewide vendors in this new role to continue to provide important and much needed public health services in Washington and Hancock counties."
      As for Healthy Acadia's program offerings, she states, "We have a strong diversity of program areas, including some new exciting offerings this year -- made possible by recent grant awards and other fundraising."
     She adds, "Healthy Acadia is going strong, providing many community health services, guided by local needs and interests. We will continue to be a strong presence in both counties, building vibrant communities and responding to emerging needs, challenges and opportunities throughout our region."
     The change in funding has not caused any lay-offs of staff. The organization has 15 full-time employees, two part-time employees and four VISTA volunteer service members.
     As for the ability of the five new providers to offer services in the Downeast region, far from where they are located, Flemings says, "Each of the statewide providers have expressed commitment to partner and subcontract with locally rooted organizations in each part of the state, including the Downeast region. Assuming that they are able to do so, and that they are able to be responsive to the expertise and experiences of the local organizations, I think that the services offered can be effective and successful."
     The Healthy Maine Partnership contract for Washington County formerly had been awarded to Washington County: One Community (WC:OC), but that contract expired in June 2015. At that time, responsibility for Healthy Maine Partnership programming and other community health initiatives in Washington County shifted from Washington County: One Community to Healthy Acadia. WC:OC still exists, with a board of directors but no current staff.
     Flemings says, "We at Healthy Acadia worked closely with our partners at Washington County: One Community to ensure a seamless transition, with no interruption in services. The many community health programs and services that are so important to our communities have been able to continue and grow under the able guidance of our Washington County staff, based in our Machias office."