Resources
In order for direct care and behavioral workers to support their clients, they need to be supported as well. The State of Maine has several tools to “care for the caregivers.” Use the resources on this page to prevent burnout and find more support.
Talk to a professional to guide you through these resources
The Maine Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division enforces Maine labor law across all industry sectors. Direct care workers provide invaluable support to Maine people, yet labor law violations are frequent. This document guides direct care workers through basic rights and common violations in the workplace.
Maine’s state-based health insurance marketplace for staff who are not eligible for employer-sponsored benefit.
The Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) helps eligible families to pay for childcare so parents can work, go to school, or participate in a job training program. CCSP is also available for eligible families where the adult(s) are retired and are the legal guardian of a child.
Maine has different child care options to meet the various needs of families. Find resources to help you make the best child care choice for your family!
This credit is equal to 25% of the federal credit for child and dependent care expenses. The credit doubles if the expenses are related to a quality child care provider. This credit is also refundable up to $500.
Maine Housing address problems of unsafe, unsuitable, overcrowded, and unaffordable housing and administers a number of federal housing programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, the Section 8 Rental Assistance programs, the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, the Weatherization Program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and others. Such programs reduce the costs associated with housing for Maine people.
Caring for ME offers a number of ways employers can use campaign resources to help recruit workers in the direct care and behavioral health fields. Download the recruitment toolkit to learn more about the resources available.
StrengthenME is a DHHS-funded program that provides free stress management and resiliency resources to Maine residents coping with stress.
StrengthenME offers a range of free programs and services designed by Work Force EAP, a leading provider of employee assistance and work/life programs, specifically for healthcare workers who are experiencing heightened stress due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 in communities across Maine.
The Maine FrontLine WarmLine is a warm line for healthcare workers, emergency responders, teachers and other school staff, and other frontline workers coping with stress. Individuals seeking support can call between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 7 days a week at (207) 221-8196 to speak with someone. The service is free and anonymous.
FrontLine WarmLine Posters for the Workplace:
- Multiple Languages 11 x 17 (PDF) 08/17/2020 | 8.5 x 11 (PDF) 08/17/2020
- Health Care 11 x 17 (PDF) 06/05/2020 | 8.5 x 11 (PDF) 06/05/2020
- General 11 x 17 (PDF) 06/05/2020 | 8.5 x 11 (PDF) 06/05/2020
- Maine Medical Association Zoom Meeting for Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic: Virtual discussions every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. each week. The intent is not a clinical discussion but, instead, to simply empathize and commiserate with your fellow physicians during this difficult and trying time for medical providers working under such difficult conditions. Zoom Link or 1-646-876-9923, 111313123# Email dmorin@mainemed.com for password.
- Maine Osteopathic Association: Weekly “Open Forums” for members and other healthcare providers. Wednesday nights at 7pm. Please email Amanda Richards at arichards@mainedo.org for password. Zoom Link Meeting ID: 986 960 4626
- Hanley Virtual Peer Support Sessions: Thursdays from 4-6 pm
Zoom Link
COVID-19 Women Physicians’ Emotional Well-Being Facebook Group: (@PoojaLakshmin): Facebook Group - MaineHealth’s Resiliency ECHO Sessions: ECHO will focus on sustaining well-being and resilience in trauma-exposed health care teams. Experts from MaineHealth, Maine Medical Partners, and Maine Behavioral Healthcare will lead sessions focused on taking care of your emotional health during the coming months to help you sustain your well-being and enable you to better react to urgent needs. Every Wednesday from 12:00pm-12:50pm Zoom Link (Free Zoom Conference Call)
- Supporting Clinicians during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Annals of Internal Medicine)
- Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with COVID-19 Virus (US VA National Center for PTSD)
- Maintaining Wellbeing Amidst the Fear and Uncertainty of COVID-19 (Association of Women Surgeons)
- How to Take Care of Yourself When You’re a First Responder During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Thrive Global)
- We’re Not Ready for This Kind of Grief (The Atlantic)
- COVID-19: Socially distant yet never closer (Society for Vascular Surgery)
- Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Confinement (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress) (PDF)
- Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress) (PDF)
- Helping Patients Manage the Psychological Effects of Quarantine and Isolation (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress)
- Dr. Laurie Santos: Helping the Helpers (Happiness Lab Podcast)
- Jamma International Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook: A tool to help you build resilience during difficult times (PDF)
