Healthy Communities of the Capital Area

Reducing Tobacco Use & Exposure and Reducing Substance Misuse:HCCA partners with over 75 individuals, organizations, and municipalities to reduce the impact of tobacco use and exposure and prevent other substance misuse through policy and environmental changes, education, interventions, and community engagement. HCCA hosts Gardiner Area Thrives, a Drug Free Communities Coalition. Funding for primary prevention comes mostly from federal and state government contracts (Center for Disease Control, Maine Prevention Services/UNE Substance Misuse Prevention, Maine Prevention Network).However, these funds do not meet all community needs. HCCA identifies gaps, creates strategic plans based on best practice, and seeks additional resources from philanthropic funders. Examples include YEeS and LGBTQ+ tobacco prevention supported by United Way of Kennebec Valley and ME Cancer Foundation.

Highlighting Other Primary Prevention Efforts- Youth Engagement and Empowerment:Youth Engagement and Empowerment project, funded by Maine Prevention Services, works in three areas and is based on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) research, building community leadership and advocacy skills, and resilience. The three areas of work are: 1) developing youth advocates to change conditions youth are passionate about related to substance use prevention, anti-bullying and school climate primarily, 2) adding value to existing youth programming by applying SEL principles to potentially increase youth leadership, and 3) provide training and resources for adults who work with youth. (Maine Prevention Services)

Eating Healthy, Being Active:Healthy Eating Active Living are key components for a lifetime of health. HCCA is funded through a mix of federal, state, and philanthropic grants to provide nutrition education and resources, and work with schools, worksites, and communities to integrate healthy food and activities into daily living to prevent diet-related illnesses and support overall health(USDA, Maine Prevention Services/Let's Go!, ME-DHHS, Maine Prevention Network). HCCA is a leader in organizing statewide Farm to School & Institution networks, providing workshops, and partnering with an array of organizations to get more local food onto more food-serving institutional menus(Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Henry P. Kendall Foundation, Community Health Options, Full Plates Full Potential, National Young Farmers, Onion Foundation, Shelburne Farms, Third Sector CEBE, University of New England).