Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities

Coordinated School Health Program
The Bucksport School Department and the Orland Consolidated School work with students, families, school staff, and other local organizations to promote health. A Coordinated approach to school health improves students’ health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities and schools.

The Bucksport School Department and the Orland Consolidated School’s Coordinated School Health Programs works with students, families, school staff and other local organizations to promote health. A Coordinated School Health Program is an effective system designed to connect health with education. This coordinated approach to school health improves students’ health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities and schools. It is also designed to maintain and improve health and well-being for school staff who serve as role models for our students. For more information contact Mary Cuskelly at 469 - 6641.

Youth Advocacy Program
Step Up or Move Over

Healthy Maine Partnership’s Youth Advocacy Programs engage teens to focus on environmental change projects that can reduce tobacco and substance use, improve nutrition and increase physical activity. Thanks to a dedicated group of Bucksport Bay teens Step Up or Move Over was established as a local Youth Advocacy Program. Teens meet monthly with adult advisors to work on projects such as the recent sobriety demonstration that was featured at the Bay Festival. For more information on the program contact Barb Ames at 469-3518.

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Challenging Choices is an after school enrichment program for teens that is sponsored by the Bucksport Recreation Department. The program provides an adult supervised setting for youth to practice teamwork, experience positive role modeling/mentoring, increase social skills, practice open communication, take healthy positive risks, discover creativity and meet new friends.

Teens are encouraged to participate in all aspects of program development and design. Program activities have included art classes, robotics, chess, yoga, Chinese cooking, fencing, and a variety of crafts. Contact Barb Ames at 469-3518 for more information on the program. Download the program brochure, click here.

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The Bucksport Youth Diversion Program serves youth under 21 years of age who received a summons for first time possession of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana or some misdemeanor charges. Parents or guardians are expected to participate in the program. Referrals come from the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office, Maine Juvenile Community Correction’s Services, the Bucksport Police Department, or the public.

Diversion means being able to have a second chance to correct a poor choice and avoid a criminal record. Youth can take responsibility for an unhealthy choice and correct it. The Bucksport Youth Diversion Program offers education, options, new ideas, alternative recreational opportunities and community service.

Services include:

Assessment & Case Management
The Diversion Program Coordinator meets with youth and their parents individually to review history and circumstances that resulted in their detention.
Administration of J.A.S.A.E.
Youth will be given the Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation to determine their risk level for substance abuse problem. Based on the results of these tests, youth will be referred to appropriate resources.
Youth & Family Education
Diversion Program Coordinator will conduct educational sessions on a variety of topics to assist youth and parents in creating an effective prevention plan.
Community Service
Youth participating in the program will be expected to perform 12 hours of community service as directed by the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office.
Recreational Alternatives
Youth will be introduced to the Challenging Choices Program to determine interest in healthy recreational options.

For more information on the Bucksport Diversion Program contact Barb Ames at 469-3518.