COVID-19 Updates

Update (10/5/2021):

CCSM Staff are back working at our Augusta office but we are still closed to public visits, meetings, etc. For the time being, all our meetings/forums will still be held online via Zoom.

We can be reached by calling the office number: 430-8300 or 1-877-207-5073. Please contact us if you have any questions about upcoming meetings/forums or need to touch base with CCSM staff.

You can still access any COVID-19 resources on our website by clicking the links on the right side of this page.

We hope everyone is doing well and that transition back to your “daily routines” goes smoothly.

Good day,

The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) has been closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) and heeding guidance from the U.S, and Maine Centers for Disease Control as well as the World Health Organization (WHO). We want to ensure that we have the right plans and resources in place to safeguard everyone’s health and well-being and help minimize the impact COVID-19 has to the greater community and especially to the consumer/peer/ex-patient/survivor community.

In order to comply with recommendations on limiting the spread of and exposure to COVID-19, the CCSM is being proactive and will be taking the following steps to ensure the safety of our members and staff, while minimizing disruptions to our organizations work:

What we are doing (effective March 13, 2020):

• Until further notice, we have chosen to shut-down the CCSM office and formulated a plan for CCSM staff to work from home. All staff will still be available via the office phone number, their work cell phones, or by email.
• Until further notice, we are canceling all in-person Local Council meetings, CCSM subcommittee meetings, Forums, and any other meetings that take place in our office or in the community. We are working diligently to try to hold on-line meetings and will keep our membership updated once the details have been worked out.
• Last week, we had our cleaning person take extra time to thoroughly disinfect our office space and have since bought and used air purifiers to help increase ventilation. We also increased the use of handwashing, hand sanitizing, and minimizing contact with others (such as no handshaking, etc.) while we were in the office.

We know that COVID-19 may impact the mental health and emotional well-being of those in our community and encourage you to seek support if you feel isolated. You may contact The Intentional Warmline for peer support ONLY (Toll-Free): 1-866-771-9276. They are open 24 hours a day/7 days per week.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you have specific questions about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) you may contact Maine’s 211 helpline by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org.

We will continue to monitor and provide updated guidance as necessary. Updates can be found on our website: www.maineccsm.org and our Facebook page: facebook.com/maineccsm/.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding COVID-19, you may also go to the website of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention.

The CCSM wants you to take precautions to stay safe and healthy. Your health and well-being are important to us!

If you have any questions or concerns related to our work plan decisions, you may email us at info@maineccsm.org.