The Opportunity Alliance Launches Opioid Health Home
South Portland, ME, Release: October 10, 2019.
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The Opportunity Alliance, the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County, has launched a Opioid Health Home (OHH) as of September 19th, 2019. An office/community-based program, OHH provides nursing care, case management, and peer support.
OHH exists to support optimal service delivery to individuals living with opioid use disorder by offering office-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Medication is supplemented with individually tailored nurse care management, substance use counseling, case management, and peer support by team members who strive to adhere to harm-reduction and trauma informed principles. Understanding that people with opioid use disorder are all in varied stages of their recovery process, individual, client centered care is the foundation of this program, based on an understanding that individuals are best supported by a team that believes in and respects their unique recovery.
Program director, Rachael Mathieu, shares that “accumulating evidence is moving us away from moral, criminal, and eminently discriminatory ways of looking at substance abuse treatment. This OHH program aligns with TOA’s mission and values to provide; respect, diversity, integrity, collaboration, empathy, empowerment, and advocacy to clients and families that are seeking support. Approaches like the OHH model acknowledge the spectrum of substance use disorder as a biopsychosocial process that must fluctuate to meet each participant’s needs.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the program can contact The Opportunity Alliance Intake line at 207-523-5027 to be directed to any OHH staff member. Information is also available at www.TheOpportunityAlliance.org.
For 50 years, The Opportunity Alliance has provided advocacy, leadership, and support to help individuals, families, and communities identify goals and address their needs. The state’s designated crisis services provider for Cumberland County, TOA provides mental health services through crisis response programs, residential mental health treatment facilities, case management programs for children, youth, and adults, and therapeutic foster care programs. TOA is a co-occurring competent agency offering programs for individuals attempting to recover from substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders, and we are a leader in peer to peer and parent to parent partnering supports and services.
TOA a Recipient of the Barclay-Giel Seed Grant
Funding for small, community-based public health programs.
The Barclay-Giel Seed Grants program is funded by the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the
Advancement of Public Health. The program supports community-based public health programs.
The Seed Grants program is named after the late Martha Barclay-Giel, a retired Captain of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Captain Barclay-Giel dedicated her life’s work to advancing the health of Americans. After retiring, she generously supported COF through considerable charitable donations.
Captain Barclay-Giel is a member of the John Adams Society.
The Foundation is proud to announce the following recipients of the 2019 Seed Grants:
• Center for Helping Obesity End Successfully: Kennesaw, GA – children at risk for obesity
• Central Vermont New Directions Coalition: Montpelier, VT – e-cigarette use among youth
• City of Lowell Health Department: Lowell, MA – opioid epidemic
• Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants and Refugees: Edmonds, WA – opioid epidemic
• Fresno Policy Chaplaincy: Fresno, CA – counseling for children with unresolved trauma
• Lake County General Health District: Mentor, OH – tobacco cessation
• Madison County Health Department: Wampsville, NY – oral health
• Metropolitan Tenants Organization: Chicago, IL – Healthy Homes training
• Mississippi Oral Health Community Alliance: Jackson, MS – oral health
• Senior Charity Care Foundation: West Valley City, UT – oral health for rural seniors
• Smiles Across Montana: Bozeman, MT – oral health among children
• Soul Food for Your Baby: Cypress, CA – breastfeeding among African Americans in South Los
Angeles
• Southern Nevada Health District: Las Vegas, NV – residential lead assessments
• The JEM Foundation: Gilbert, AZ – suicide prevention through insurance parity for mental
health
• The Opportunity Alliance: South Portland, ME – oral health in schools
We congratulate all recipients and thank each organization which applied for funding. Information
about the next cycle of Seed Grant funding is available at www.phscof.org/seed-grants.
The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health is dedicated to
advancing public health and public health leadership for a healthier nation.
PUBLIC NOTICE — Announcing dates of our Board of Directors' Meetings
The Opportunity Alliance, a community action agency, is announcing dates of our Board of Directors’ meetings.
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The Annual Business meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2019, starting at 8:00am.
Board meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month except as noted. All meetings will be held at 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland beginning at 8:00am, unless otherwise decided.
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
No Meeting in August (Summer Break)
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
*Thursday, December 5, 2019 (November and December Combined Meeting)
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Thursday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Thursday, June 25, 2020 (Annual Business Meeting)
Thursday, July 23, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICE — Openings in the Elected Sector of the Board of Directors
The Opportunity Alliance, a community action agency, is announcing that we have openings in the Elected Sector of the Board of Directors. We are holding an election to fill those seats.
To secure a ballot, please contact Jake Holmes at 207-221-8617 or via email at jake.holmes@opportunityalliance.org no later than Monday, June 17, 2019.
Children’s Oral Health Program receives a $10,000 Grant from Northeast Delta Dental Foundation
Contact: Aimee Senatore
The Opportunity Alliance
207.523.5033
Aimee.Senatore@OpportunityAlliance.org
Children’s Oral Health Program receives a $10,000
Grant from Northeast Delta Dental Foundation
May 10, 2019 South Portland, Maine. The Opportunity Alliance’s Children’s Oral Health Program has received a $10,000 grant from the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation. Grant funds will be used to provide preventative oral health services to children in underserved schools in Cumberland and York counties. Services will include oral screenings, fluoride treatments, and assistance with referrals for follow up care.
The mission of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation is to improve the access to, and the quality of, oral health care and education for the public and the dental communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Assistant Treasurer of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, Jennifer McGrath, said “We enjoy partnering with organizations like The Opportunity Alliance who understand the importance of establishing an oral health routine during childhood. We know that when learned early in life, good dental practices at home and school help establish a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
The Opportunity Alliance is the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County. Through multiple integrated community based and clinical programs, we serve more than 20,000 people annually throughout Maine.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE
For 50 years, The Opportunity Alliance has provided advocacy, leadership, and support to help individuals, families, and communities identify goals and address their needs. The state’s designated crisis services provider for Cumberland County, TOA provides mental health services through crisis response programs, residential mental health treatment facilities, and case management programs for children, youth, and adults. TOA is a co-occurring competent agency offering programs for individuals attempting to recover from substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders and is a leader in peer to peer and parent to parent partnering supports and services.
To learn more about The Opportunity Alliance, visit www.opportunityalliance.org or call 877-429-6884.
The Opportunity Alliance Announces New Location for The Bridge Program
May 1, 2019 South Portland, Maine. The Opportunity Alliance today announced that The Bridge Program has been relocated to a new home at 1085 Brighton Avenue in Portland. The former site of The Holden Agency and Employee Benefits Solutions, Inc, the building was acquired by TOA in late 2018 with generous support from Thomas Holden, John Benoit, East Brown Cow Management, Malone Commercial Brokers, The Boulos Company, Mark Mueller Architects, and CAP Services.
The Bridge is a 12-bed short-term residential treatment program for homeless adults with a major mental illness, many of whom also experience co-occuring conditions such as a substance use diagnosis. The treatment program assists residents with securing long-term housing while stabilizing their mental health and connecting them to community resources and supports. Staffed 24/7 for mental health support and medication administration, The Bridge partners with community partners to provide comprehensive quality care for each resident.
The Opportunity Alliance is the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County. Through multiple integrated community based and clinical programs, we serve more than 20,000 people annually throughout Maine.
“The Bridge Program continues to provide transitional services to homeless adults with a major mental illness and possible substance use diagnosis in the City of Portland. The new location offers a newer, rehabbed and spacious residential facility in a location providing the ability to stay linked to community resources. There is ample parking, outdoor yard space for client use and a nearby local shopping center,” noted The Opportunity Alliance’s Vice President of Programs, Kristin Ricciardone. “The program, in its new location, now offers double and single occupancy rooms, and the ability to expand to 15-bed capacity.”
A celebratory open house and ribbon cutting event took place on Thursday, April 25th attended by TOA’s Board of Directors, community partners and staff. The official move-in date was Friday, April 26th.
About The Opportunity Alliance
For 50 years, The Opportunity Alliance has provided advocacy, leadership, and support to help individuals, families, and communities identify goals and address their needs. The state’s designated crisis services provider for Cumberland County, TOA provides mental health services through crisis response programs, residential mental health treatment facilities, and case management programs for children, youth, and adults. TOA is a co-occurring competent agency offering programs for individuals attempting to recover from substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders and is a leader in peer to peer and parent to parent partnering supports and services.
To learn more about The Opportunity Alliance, visit www.opportunityalliance.org or call 877-429-6884.
Sen. Breen pays tribute to Mike Tarpinian, retiring president of Opportunity Alliance, in Senate
AUGUSTA — Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, presented Opportunity Alliance President Mike Tarpinian with a legislative sentiment in the Senate chamber on Thursday, April 4. The sentiment recognizes Mr. Tarpinian’s many contributions to Maine’s people on the occasion of his retirement.
“Mike Tarpinian has devoted his professional life to helping underserved Mainers get what they need,” said Sen. Breen. “It takes a big heart to spend 40 years working with people to provide access to food, heating oil, mental health treatment, early childhood programs, and other services to Mainers, while treating them with respect and never turning them away. Mike has set a sterling example for those of us who are dedicated to public service, and I wish him the best in his retirement. He will be missed.”
Mr. Tarpinian is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Opportunity Alliance, the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County, where he has worked for 30 years. He presided over many mergers and a large expansion of its services during his tenure. Prior to his service at the Opportunity Alliance, he worked at the Maine Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation for ten years. He is co-founder of the Maine Behavioral Health Collaborative, focusing on child welfare and behavioral health, and serves on many boards, including the Child Welfare League of America and Maine Equal Justice Partners. He lives in Westbrook with his wife, Nancy.
TOA Receives United Way of York County 2019 Community Investment
March 11th, 2019 South Portland, Maine. The Opportunity Alliance today announced that it has been awarded a two-year grant from United Way of York County totaling $77,800. This investment will support our Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, the CDA Development Center, and our Residential-Led Community Building efforts.
For 50 years, The Opportunity Alliance has provided advocacy, leadership, and support to help individuals, families, and communities identify goals and address their needs. The state’s designated crisis services provider for Cumberland County, TOA provides mental health services through crisis response programs, residential mental health treatment facilities, and case management programs for children, youth, and adults. TOA is a co-occurring competent agency offering programs for individuals attempting to recover from substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders and is a leader in peer to peer and parent to parent partnering supports and services.
Through the mobilization of people, resources and expertise, United Way of York County works to improve lives across York County. Thanks to the continued support of dedicated individuals, businesses, and organizations across the region, this year the United Way is investing in 58 community programs that serve children, youth, adults, and families.
“Thanks to the generosity of those who support United Way’s work throughout the year, we are able to provide continued and much needed support for essential and direct human services right here in our county,” noted United Way of York County President & CEO Barb Wentworth. “These important programs support the best start for our youngest citizens, provide healthy foods for children and seniors, engage youth in meaningful service, and meet basic needs – all critical components of our collective efforts to build an even stronger York County.”
The Opportunity Alliance is the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County. Through multiple integrated community based and clinical programs, we serve more than 20,000 people annually throughout Maine.
About United Way of York County
United Way of York County improve lives by mobilizing people and resources. Founded in 1986, United Way of York County turns every dollar contributed back out into the community at a value of $4.13. To learn more about United Way of York County, visit www.buildcommunity.org or call 207-985-3359.
The Opportunity Alliance Names Joseph Everett Chief Executive Officer
March 5, 2019 - For Immediate Release
The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) Board of Directors has announced that it has appointed Joseph Everett as President and Chief Executive Officer. Joe has been serving as Chief Program Officer and Chief Operating Officer for the past 12 years. He has been with the agency for 20 years.
Last year, Michael Tarpinian, who has served at the helm of the agency for the last 30 years announced his plans to retire in early 2019.
The search committee conducted a comprehensive, national search and talked with a number of highly qualified candidates. Rebecca Bloch, Chairman of the search committee shared that “In the end, we determined that Joe's leadership abilities, his passion for the work and his demonstrated knowledge of our programming and our community are the right combination of skills to lead The Opportunity Alliance into its next chapter.”
Speaking on behalf of the board, Dan Hunter, Board Chairman said, “Joe is the best choice from a large and talented pool of interested and highly qualified candidates. He has the vision, knowledge, skills and mission-driven orientation to lead The Opportunity Alliance into the future. We are delighted that he has accepted the position.”
The Opportunity Alliance is the result of two mergers bringing together three community organizations, Ingraham, Youth Alternatives and PROP (Peoples Regional Opportunity Program). Joe played a significant role in the mergers and integration of the legacy organizations, demonstrating solid leadership and forward thinking working to create a new innovative, results-based organization. As Chief Program Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Joe provided direction and oversight to 46+ programs while serving as a key member of the leadership team. He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. Actively involved in various organizations, Joe serves on the alumni board of the Executive Leadership Institute, Greater Portland Addiction Collaborative, the Behavioral Health Community Collaborative, and the Thrive 2027 Data & Evaluation Committee.
Everett said, “I look forward to pursuing this exciting opportunity bringing an enduring positive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach to leadership that is guided by my belief in the value of the programs this agency offers. As we move forward, I will continue to work with our talented staff and numerous community partners to address some of the most complex issues confronting individuals and families in our communities.”
Joe will formally begin his role as CEO on March 28th, 2019.
Agency Background
For 50 years, The Opportunity Alliance has provided advocacy, leadership, and support to help individuals, families, and communities identify goals and address their needs. The state’s designated crisis services provider for Cumberland County, TOA provides mental health services through crisis response programs, residential mental health treatment facilities, and case management programs for children, youth, and adults. TOA is a co-occurring competent agency offering programs for individuals attempting to recover from substance use and mental health co-occurring disorders, and is a leader in peer to peer and parent to parent partnering supports and services.