School of Social Work – 91�� News

New 91�� program to address state mental health crisis among youth

Thu, 22 May 2025 16:57:03 +0000

Maine faces significant challenges in youth mental health care. In response, the 91�� is working to expand the state’s behavioral health workforce with the help of grant funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit whose goal is for all Maine children to be resilient and ready to succeed.

According to the 2023 , 32.7% of adolescents reported symptoms of depression and 21.8% considered suicide. Despite the urgent need to address youth mental health, access to treatment remains limited due to a shortage of trained providers, high turnover and systemic barriers such as lack of insurance and transportation.

Graduate students and clinicians at 91�� will be trained in Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH), which is mental health intervention for youth ages six to 17. MATCH treats anxiety, depression, PTSD and behavioral issues, and its approach has shown to improve outcomes and reduce provider burnout.

The project, titled “Expanding the Maine Youth Behavioral Health Workforce: Integrating Evidence-Based Practice into Graduate Training,” is a collaborative effort between Jennifer Blossom, assistant professor of psychology in clinical psychology; Elizabeth Armstrong, associate professor and director of the School of Social Work; and Liam Shaw, manager of Outpatient Pediatric Behavioral Health at MaineGeneral Medical Center.

“Using a flexible and scientifically-supported program like MATCH is key to addressing our state’s youth mental health crisis,” said Blossom. “By using MATCH, youth and families can get connected to care that actually works — meaning they will see improvements much faster and as a result spend less time in treatment and more time doing the things they want to do. Consequently, mental health providers will be able to provide care to more youth and families.”

This project will embed evidence based training into graduate social work curricula at 91��. Up to 30 students will complete MATCH training and will each see four to six clients during the students’ field placements. Nearly 100 Maine youth will receive specialized treatment during the grant period.

Read the full story from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences online.��

Contact: Allen Adams; allen.adams@maine.edu

Crittenden featured in ‘Maine Calling’ episode on the benefits of walking

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 20:12:03 +0000

Jennifer Crittenden, the associate director of the 91�� Center on Aging and an assistant professor of social work, was featured as a “VIP Caller” on an episode of “,” a radio show produced by Maine Public. The episode highlighted the benefits of walking, such as for mental and physical health, exploring new places and connecting with people.

MoneyGeek features expert advice from Kaye on financing for seniors

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 20:31:29 +0000

MoneyGeek featured advice from 91�� professor of social work and Center on Aging Director Lenard Kaye to compile information in an titled, “Protecting your loved ones from elder financial fraud,” and a titled, “How to choose and pay for senior care.”

Twin City Times highlights Josiah-Martin’s keynote for upcoming YWCA Women of Achievement Awards ceremony

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:25:55 +0000

Judith Josiah-Martin, a principal lecturer with the 91�� School of Social Work, is the keynote speaker of the 2024 YWCA Central Maine Women of Achievement Awards ceremony scheduled for March 10 in Auburn, Maine. promoted the ceremony and reported that Josiah-Martin has been a part of the 91�� community for 16 years. Her keynote address is titled “The Shoulders of Strong Women: Walking Forward Together.”

Graduate student writes op-ed on homeless shelters for Press Herald

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 20:45:33 +0000

Cynthia Cushing, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in social work from the 91��, wrote an op-ed for the arguing the importance of the state allowing emergency shelters in cities with populations greater than 20,000. Cushing also is a community case management team leader with Summit Support Services, is vice president for National Association of Social Workers in Maine and has worked as a case manager for adults with disabilities for 14 years.

Butler named 2024 91�� Distinguished Professor��

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 21:02:25 +0000

A long-time educator and leader in social work, whose research and advocacy influenced state and federal policy, has been named the 2024 Distinguished Maine Professor, the 91��’s most prestigious faculty accolade.

Sandra Butler, professor and director of the School of Social Work, will be honored at the Alumni Achievement Awards Dinner and Celebration, , on Friday, April 26 at Wells Conference Center.

“I am profoundly honored to receive this award, especially at this stage of my career at the 91��. The award resonates as validation of my research about and advocacy for low-income individuals and families in Maine and of my focus on preparing social work students to be agents of change toward a more economically, socially, racially and environmentally just world,” Butler said.

The annual Distinguished Maine Professor Award honors a 91�� professor who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. It is sponsored by the 91�� classes of 1942 and 2002, and administered by the 91�� Alumni Association. Diane Rowland, dean of the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences, nominated Butler for this year’s award.

“Dr. Butler embodies the best of what 91�� values in our faculty — an inspiring educator, an impactful researcher and a change maker for the betterment of society,” Rowland wrote in her nomination letter. “Dr. Butler has achieved all this while being a champion for the most fragile populations of our state and nation. Our college is especially proud of Dr. Sandy Butler’s dedication to helping others through all aspects of her work.”

Butler joined 91�� as an assistant professor in 1991, and has played many critical roles in the School of Social Work over the years.

In 2020, Butler became director of the school after intermittently serving as interim or acting director for several years. She became the coordinator of the Masters of Social Work at 91�� in 2006 — the same year she was promoted to professor — and has served as its coordinator ever since. The program has become one of the largest graduate programs the university offers. Butler has also participated in several service and research projects as a resident scholar and associate with the university’s Center on Aging since its inception in 2001. During her tenure, she has served on numerous committees for the school; the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences; the university and the 91�� System.

While Butler has taught many undergraduate- and graduate-level courses over the years, she primarily focuses on instruction related to social welfare policy. As 91��’s lead educator in this field, Butler also provides guidance to other instructors and works with them on updating course content.

Butler said her teaching philosophy “is strengths-based and inclusive.” She provides prompt and extensive feedback on students’ work, is attentive to their concerns and suggestions and demonstrates her strong passion for the field.

“Sandy is the reason I am a licensed social worker today, and she was the most significant factor in my decision to pursue both MSW (Masters in Social Work) and doctoral studies at the 91��,” wrote Amy Frankel, who is now a lecturer in social work at 91��, in her letter of support for Butler’s nomination. “I am grateful to have this wonderful professor and scholar as a role model in my life and for all of us to have her as an example of the kind of compassionate greatness that universities rarely celebrate in appropriate measure.”

Over the past 32 years, Butler has authored more than 100 scholarly articles, books, book chapters, policy briefs, legislative testimonies and newspaper op-eds pertaining to the health needs and social welfare experiences of low-income individuals and particularly women of all ages.

Her scholarly publications focus on poverty, direct care workers, public assistance, older workers, rural aging, the impact of higher education for low-income mothers, LGBTQ+ aging, lesbian health, homelessness, teen parenting and pregnancy and policy practice. Her ability to research issues related to aging expanded when she served as a Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar from 2001-2003. In 2010, she became a Hartford Faculty Research Mentor.

“She exudes as a quintessential social work professional speaking clearly in her words and deeds in keeping with the core values of the profession of social work and leading research with over 30 years of scholarship in areas of financial insecurity and elevating the voices of low-income populations and older adults,” wrote Noell Rowan, professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, in her letter of support. “This volume of research speaks to her unwavering commitment and devotion to rigorous scholarship about too often hidden voices in society.”

Dedicated to equity and justice, Butler has used her research and expertise to advocate for social welfare policy changes in Augusta, Maine and Washington, D.C.

She has worked in collaboration with the Maine Women’s Lobby and Maine Equal Justice for years by researching the impact of state policy on low-income populations. Her research on families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children in the early 1990s contributed to the launch of a statewide Parents as Scholars program (PaS), which helps low-income parents afford college degrees. With her University of Southern Maine colleague, Dr. Luisa Deprez, she carried out a longitudinal study about the experiences of student parents in PaS from 1999 through 2006. Her research has also focused on the impact of time limits for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and recently, again with Dr. Deprez, the effects for low-income student parents of receiving unrestricted cash assistance for financial emergencies through the Build Hope Fund. Her research on aging has included a longitudinal study examining recruitment and retention of home care workers in Maine.

Her service also includes advising state and national groups that advocate for social welfare policy changes, particularly as a member of their boards. She is affiliated with the American Society on Aging and the Gerontological Society of America, where she is a fellow. She has served on the Maine Women’s Lobby and Policy Center Advisory Boards, the Maine Center for Economic Policy’s Advisory Board and Development Committee, the Maine Long-term Care Ombudsman Advisory Committee, the Family Connections Advisory Committee, the Spruce Run Steering Committee and the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center Board of Directors.

Butler is not only a tireless advocate, but also an educator who encourages her students to fight inequity and help those who are underserved and underrepresented.

“As a former policy maker, I want to relay that Sandy Butler’s work was imperative for lawmakers to successfully do their work and to lift families up. We simply cannot make policy without data and research,” wrote former Maine House Speaker and State Rep. Sara Gideon in her letter of support for Butler’s nomination. “Professor Sandy Butler is so incredibly skilled in doing this.”

The instruction, research and community service Butler has provided over the years have earned her several honors and accolades. They include receiving the Leadership Award from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work, being named a Fulbright specialist, earning the Influencing State Policy of Council on Social Work Education Faculty Award and being given the Feminist Scholarship Award by the Council of Social Work. She received a Rising Tide Career Award from the 91�� Rising Tide Center in 2015.

“Dr. Butler is an extremely effective and productive scholar,” wrote Sue Steiner, a professor with the California State University Chico School of Social Work, in her letter of support. “Her work is well-respected and influential within and beyond social work.”

Contact: Shelby Hartin, shelby.hartin@maine.edu

CentralMaine.com publishes Butler’s op-ed on support for low-income families

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 20:26:35 +0000

published an op-ed co-authored by Sandy Butler, professor and director of the 91�� School of Social Work, and Luisa S. Deprez, professor emerita at the University of Southern Maine, titled “Maine families are meeting their goals. Legislators must support them.” Butler and Deprez are members of the Maine chapter of the National Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and policy implications.

Center on Aging director hosting talk on common age-related challenges

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 19:29:47 +0000

91��’s Institute of Medicine and Center on Aging is hosting an event to create conversation around aging and address how research can help with common age-related challenges.

Director of the Center on Aging and professor of social work Lenard Kaye will present “Aging Well in the Pine Tree State: Lessons Learned from the Research.”

Free and open to the public, the event will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 4-5 p.m. at Black Bear Brewing, located at 19 Mill St. in Orono.

The is a resource center and research institute affiliated with the School of Social Work in the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences.

BDN promotes MLK Day celebration to be held Monday at 91��

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:32:47 +0000

promoted the Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast celebration planned from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at 91�� Wells Conference Center. 91�� principal lecturer in the School of Social Work Judith Josiah-Martin is the keynote speaker of the event, delivering remarks titled “If Not Now, When?” The public event is co-hosted by the Greater Bangor Area Branch NAACP and 91��’s Raymond H. Fogler Library.

This Old House interviews two 91�� professors on moving with a disability

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:09:50 +0000

interviewed 91�� professors of social work and interdisciplinary disability studies Elizabeth DePoy and Stephen French Gilson on tips for moving with a disability.

91�� launches the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences��

mike.kirby — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 18:08:03 +0000

The made its debut during a town hall meeting at the 91�� on Oct. 31.

The college, formerly known as the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, is the largest of 91��’s six colleges, accounting for 26.5% of all university enrollments. Members of the newly named College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences helped generate 41% of the university’s research awards over the past year while driving impact across life, health, social and natural sciences.

“The name College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences captures the breadth of our community’s impact. It comprehensively represents the systems and unique collaborations we foster,” says Diane Rowland, dean of the college and director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. “I am so grateful to the faculty, staff, students, partners and 91��’s leaders who helped us develop this modern and vibrant representation of the teaching, research and service we deliver every day — to the state and the globe.”

The new name was selected from a shortlist advanced by a task force Rowland formed shortly after she assumed her current role in fall 2021. The task force, composed of faculty, staff and students, advanced an inclusive name development process that engaged with internal and external stakeholders. Through focus groups, surveys, community forums and other opportunities for input, the task force advanced a grassroots approach to rebranding a college that covers everything from climate change to clinical sciences. The deliberate approach also ensured that schools and departments had time to expend existing marketing and outreach materials prior to the new name’s adoption.

“As a member of the task force charged with collecting ideas for a new name, I was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of my colleagues across the entire college. I looked at the process as not just selecting a new name, but as a way to position our college to best serve our students, the state of Maine and our community of stakeholders around the world,” says Todd Gabe, a professor at 91��’s School of Economics.

The former name was adopted in 1996. At the time, the college oversaw 91��’s natural resource programs like forestry and agriculture. In subsequent years, numerous other disciplines joined the college, including marine sciences, nursing, molecular and biomedical sciences, economics, social work, communication sciences and disorders, and earth and climate sciences. Faculty and staff of the college have previously advocated to rename the college. A request to consider elevating the profile of 91��’s health and wellness programs was included in a white paper submitted to the then-dean, Fred Servello, in May 2020.

“For the last two years, the college has worked inclusively and thoughtfully to develop its new name, and I applaud everyone who has been part of this process. The new name represents the university’s commitment to earth, life and health sciences both in our state and globally,” says John Volin, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost for 91��. “I look forward to working with the college to capitalize on this expanded recognition of our impact. I have no doubt that this modern and unique name will also resonate strongly with students now and into the future.”

Questions regarding the process should be directed to nsfadean@maine.edu.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Ciolfi speaks about second careers for older Mainers on ‘Maine Calling’

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:52:18 +0000

featured Mary Lou Ciolfi, senior program manager at the 91�� Center on Aging and co-director of the Consortium for Aging Policy Research & Analysis, as a panelist on their show “Maine Calling” for a segment about second careers for older Mainers.

Media share information about 91�� role in CAPRA

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:50:59 +0000

The and reported that the 91�� and University of Southern Maine have formed a one-stop shop for independent research, analysis, guidance and technical assistance for policy issues related to aging and older adults, known as the (CAPRA). CAPRA is available for exploring a wide variety of issues relevant to aging Mainers, including health care, transportation, housing and social services.��

91�� Center on Aging launches online Age-Friendly Resources hub

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:55:05 +0000

The 91�� Center on Aging has launched the Age-Friendly University Resources (AFU Resources) hub, a centralized repository for educational materials, services, events, volunteer opportunities and other activities for older people offered by 91��, the 91�� at Machias and 91�� Cooperative Extension.��

The various resources are sorted into categories, which websites users can find and select on the website homepage. Each activity has a location, cost, link, contact information and details about what is being offered.

Beyond resources, the 91�� AFU Resources hub also outlines the history of the Age-Friendly movement and how it has propelled universities toward offering more inclusive services. The website helps promote personal and career development in the second half of life and intergenerational learning. These are two of the 10 principles of age-friendly universities, which 91�� and all Age-Friendly Universities follow.��

“The roster of resources that have been organized on this website confirms in no uncertain terms the significant progress being made at Maine’s flagship university to provide older adults in the larger community with an exceedingly rich array of opportunities to benefit from,” says Len Kaye, director of the Center on Aging and professor of social work at 91��.

The website will be continuously updated as new older adult engagement programming becomes available.

Kaye speaks to Next Avenue about rural caregivers

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:25:47 +0000

interviewed Lenard Kaye, director of the 91�� Center on Aging and professor in the 91�� School of Social Work, about the increased burden on caregivers for elderly people in rural areas. “Immediately available, locally residing individuals who can assist are at a premium. But yet it remains a family affair, putting those who are locally situated under the gun to step up and deliver it under whatever stress and strain they may feel. … We would benefit greatly from more preparation and more appreciation for the complexities and the responsibilities that caregiving gives, such that we don’t minimize it and we appreciate the fact that it’s likely going to be knocking at each and every one of our doors at some point in our lives,” Kaye said.

Media note Ciolfi presentation at 2023 Aging Well Living Well Expo

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:23:11 +0000

The and reported that Mary Lou Ciofli, senior program manager at the 91�� Center on Aging, will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Aging Well Living Well Expo, presented by SeniorsPlus. The expo will be held from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the Grand Summit Hotel and Conference Center at Sunday River in Newry, Maine.��

Taylor Britt and Sarah Zacahariason: JET-ting off to teach in Japan

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 20:24:39 +0000

91�� alumni Taylor Britt and Sarah Zachariason were selected for the , a prestigious teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan.

Since 1987, JET has welcomed to Japan more than 35,000 Americans and more than 70,000 participants from around the world. JET participants sign a one-year contract, with the option of renewing for up to five years. Benefits include paid airfare to and from Japan, enrollment in Japan’s national health insurance, a minimum of 10 days paid vacation and an annual starting salary of $30,000.

Britt majored in international affairs with a concentration in culture conflict and globalization and a minor in education, and graduated in spring 2023. He spent a semester at Hirosaki University in Japan during his sophomore year — his yearlong program was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and learned Japanese during college with hopes of returning to the country.

Zachariason graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2022. During her time at 91��, she competed with the 91�� Women’s Swimming and Diving Team and worked as a social work intern in the critical care unit, intensive care unit and emergency department at Eastern Maine Medical Center, now known as Northern Light Health.

In this Q&A, the two 91�� alumni explain what drew them to the JET program, the things they are most looking forward to about living in Japan and the mentors at 91�� that guided them along the way.

Taylor Britt

How did you find out about the JET program?
Taylor Britt: I found out about the JET program in middle school through watching YouTube videos.

Sarah Zachariason: I tried to study abroad quite a few times during my time at school. COVID ended up canceling every program I got into. My study abroad adviser recommended looking into programs like JET, and since then I’ve been pretty stuck on doing JET!

Why were you drawn to the JET program, and why did you think it was a good fit for you?
TB: I always wanted to live in Japan. It’s a beautiful country full of amazing food, culture, sights to see, kind people and a rich history. The JET program is a good fit for me because I am a highly independent and responsible person with a strong understanding of the Japanese language and culture. I am also very confident about navigating both urban and rural Japan. I enjoy working with students and can be a strong cultural ambassador for both America and Japan.

SZ: I love traveling, especially being able to immerse myself in a culture unfamiliar to what I know. It gives so much opportunity to learn about the world and grow as a person. JET is able to not only provide an opportunity to travel, but also allow me to try out a new field of work. I love the idea of teaching the younger generation and hope I can learn a lot from this experience.

How did you feel about being accepted into the program?
TB: Being accepted into the program was a huge relief. The JET program is highly competitive to get into and is a sought after opportunity worldwide. I had been dreaming, and preparing for my acceptance since middle school.

SZ: This is actually my second year applying to the program. It was a bit of a shock when I got the email that I was shortlisted. I was unbelievably excited for all the opportunities ahead of me.

Why Japan? What about living and working in that country appealed to you?
TB: Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. In addition to this, the Japanese people have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. This is because they value exercise and high quality food that tastes amazing. Japan has the most Michelin star restaurants in the world, and the food is highly affordable. Health care in Japan is practically free and there is a strong sense of community throughout the country with a strong emphasis on the family household.

SZ: Japan has a beautiful culture filled with deep rooted values of respect and harmony. I am also interested in living in a society that functions more from a community-based culture. I think that perspective could help me in the future as a social worker.

Sarah Zachariason

What are you most excited about for the next year teaching through the JET program?
TB: I am most excited to start this new chapter in my life. Every aspect of my life for the next five years is currently a mystery: where will I be living? What school will I be teaching at? What car will I be driving? What bank will I open an account with? What grocery stores will I be shopping at? What is the commute like in my city? What people will I meet? All these factors are currently unknown and will not be discovered until I am in Japan with my suitcases ready to start a new life.

SZ: I am excited to explore the entire county and find some good hiking trails. I also cannot wait to enjoy all the different types of food!

Is there any particular 91�� mentor, initiative, program or set of resources that helped you succeed?
TB: John Mascetta, my academic adviser, was the greatest help during my time at the 91��. He was always available to take my calls, answer my questions and explain the inner workings of the university. John has vast knowledge of both the student and faculty requirements at 91�� and should be valued and appreciated at the university. We kept in touch all five years and I will continue to keep in touch while I’m in Japan.

SZ: My field seminar professor, Kelly Jaksa, was an amazing role model for me. Working in a hospital was definitely a challenge at times. She was always there to help me work through the emotional difficulties that social work can bring. Being a part of the swim and dive team provided a built-in support system. I had a whole team of friends and coaches that always had my back to support me.

What advice do you have for incoming students to help them get off to the best start academically?
TB: Professors will most likely only talk about assignments, tests and exams once. This means you need to stay on top of these assignments and know that all because the teacher isn’t reminding you of crucial due dates does not mean they are irrelevant. This goes for your fellow students, some students may give a false reassurance that there’s no homework, it’s important to be independent and on time. It’s also important to keep an open line of communication with your professors.

SZ: My biggest advice for incoming students is to actively search out activities. These activities can include sports, jobs, clubs and volunteer programs. It’s important to find a community that works for who you are.

Describe 91�� in one word and explain.
TB: Outlet. As in, 91�� is an outlet for you to do or become whoever you want. Whether you want to use the school as an outlet to party or an outlet to better yourself and create the future you want.

SZ: Home. 91�� became my home away from home. The community that I built for myself made my experience better than I could ever imagine. I am so thankful for all of the people I met while studying at 91��.

Students and alumni interested in applying for the JET Program can contact the Office of Major Scholarships at nives.dalbowheeler@maine.edu for application support.

Contact: Sam Schipani, samantha.schipani@maine.edu

Frankel writes op-ed for BDN about parole in Maine

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:25:20 +0000

Amy Frankel, Ph.D. candidate at the 91��, wrote an opinion piece for the about bringing parole back to Maine. Frankel is a member of the Maine chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications.

Kaye speaks to Sun Journal about homelessness in older adults

Mon, 08 May 2023 15:29:30 +0000

The interviewed Lenard Kaye, director of the 91�� Center on Aging, about homelessness in older adults, those aged 65 and older, which is the fastest growing age group of homelessness in the country. With 50 people retiring every day in Maine, Kaye said the aging population here is increasing rapidly. Among that older population, those on a fixed income are particularly at risk of becoming homeless. “Preventing homelessness among older adults requires increasing significantly the supply of affordable and adaptive housing environments that provide not just a place to live but are enriched by providing supportive services that meet people’s health, functional, and social support needs, and intervening with needed help prior to a crisis or emergency,” Kaye said. and shared the Sun Journal report.

Brooke Camire and Cherylan Demers: Mother and daughter sharing 2023 Commencement

Tue, 02 May 2023 18:34:59 +0000

Brooke Camire has always loved spending time with her mother, Cherylan Demers. Now, the mother and daughter duo will have a new memory to share: 91�� commencement.

In fall 2020, Demers decided that she wanted to pursue a master’s degree in social work after working in the field for almost 30 years. She wanted to pursue more advanced opportunities, perhaps by opening her own practice for working professional women in helping professions, or someday teaching at the university level.

91��’s three-year hybrid program, with its cohort of other working adults and field experience opportunities, was perfect for her. Demers could complete the majority of the program from her home in Sanford, with twice-semesterly visits to the 91�� campus.

“I always wanted to do it and the timing was right,” Demers says. “91�� has really good options for adult learners who are also working full time. It was a good match for my lifestyle and where I’m at.”

As an added bonus, her older daughter, Summer Camire, was finishing her engineering degree and youngest, Brooke Camire, was a sophomore at 91��. Demers’ daughters were part of her inspiration to pursue her masters degree in the first place.

“They’re so smart and they have a lot of the qualities that I’ve had inside me that I never had the confidence to do,” Demers says. “In social work, you study social justice and policy. That’s something that I’ve seen the girls have a passion for. It’s made me want to learn more.”

The Camire sisters were thrilled to have their mom on campus, too. Summer graduated in spring 2021, but Brooke got to spend more time with her mom in Orono, going out to lunch, having “sleepovers,” trips to Acadia, getting into “shenanigans” — and, of course, helping each other with their coursework.

“I think for me, both being students here has definitely brought us closer,” Camire says. “It gives us a shared bond. I’ll be like, ‘Mom, can you review this essay?’ And she’ll be like, ‘Yeah, can you review mine?’ It’s been really great seeing my mom in action as a student.”

“I’ve always watched Brooke shine. It’s kind of nice to get to shine next to her,” Demers says. “She’s just amazing.”

Camire does have to work to fit her mom into her busy schedule, though. She was social media and marketing chair of Her Campus for two years, and now serves as the treasurer of Women in Economics and a teaching assistant in the School of Economics. Camire is also a research assistant studying water insecurity in rural indigenous communities in the Arctic. This past summer, she traveled to Greenland to study freshwater security for sheep farmers experiencing drought. Camire notes that she grew up with an intrinsic value for education and community service, given her father and brothers careers as teachers, paired with her mothers passion for helping others.

Mother and daughter also share a penchant for academic excellence. Demers is a member of the 91�� chapter of Phi Alpha National honor society. Her degree was supported in part by a $10,000 scholarship from the School of Social Work’s Rural Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care Project as well as $2,000 from the John M. Romanyshyn Student Support Fund. Camire, a member of the 91�� chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, her mother notes proudly, will also graduate debt-free because of her academic scholarships.

In May, Camire will graduate with a double major in political science and economics with a minor in climate science with the goal of working in sustainable development and resource management. The day before Camire walks across the stage at the undergraduate ceremony, Demers will graduate with her master’s in social work.

“I think it’s unique that we’re going to graduate together,” Demers says. “For me this is just the end of my journey, but it’s fun to see where she’s at and all the options and the things she dreams about.”

Demers will be the first person in their family to receive a postgraduate degree, but Camire will follow in her mom’s footsteps once more. In the fall, she will attend graduate school at the University of Southern Maine for a master’s in policy, planning and management with a community planning and sustainable development concentration. Her sister Summer is now pursuing an MBA at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, too.

“For me, that makes it feel a lot less daunting,” Brooke says. “I’m about to start my masters degree, as well as working full time, and to know that my mom has accomplished that while also being a mom, I’m like, ‘Oh, I can definitely do this.’ I think she’s really a trailblazer for our family as both Summer and I continue our journey in academia.”

Contact: Sam Schipani, samantha.schipani@maine.edu

91�� seniors in social work pen op-ed about paid leave for CentralMaine.com

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:22:21 +0000

Stacey Duran, MacKayla Faloon, Mariah Lockhart, Angela Rothwell and Emily White — all 91�� seniors graduating with degrees in social work — wrote an opinion piece for about paid family and medical leave for Mainers.

Bishop writes opinion piece for Sun Journal about social work loan forgiveness

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:54:34 +0000

Sarah Bishop, a student at the 91�� who will graduate in May with a master’s degree in social work, wrote an opinion piece for the about why social work loan forgiveness makes sense for Maine. “Without loans, earning my degree would have been unobtainable, but I fear that repaying those loans on a social worker’s salary will be nearly impossible. This is why I’m advocating for the passage of ,” Bishop wrote.

Media share 91�� study about caring for children with serious mental illness

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:21:29 +0000

The �� and (Channel 8 in Portland) featured a new 91��-led study that shows that parents raising children with serious mental illness and violent tendencies experience and express grief similar to those of children who have died, which informs how practitioners can help these caregivers cope with the stress. “Our research highlights the pervasive strains and stigma associated with loving and caring for a child who suffers from serious mental illness. For these parents in particular, they are not only mothers and fathers in mourning, but they are also survivors of domestic violence,” says Karyn Sporer, associate professor of sociology at 91��. �� (Channel 17 in Columbia, Miss.) and (ABC 10 in Wichita, Kan.) shared the WMTW report.

Kaye speaks to WalletHub about the best states to retire

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:56:12 +0000

Lenard Kaye, director of the 91�� Center on Aging and professor at the 91�� School of Social Work, was featured as an expert for a ranking of the best states to retire based on three key dimensions: affordability, quality of life and health care. “Age-friendly states and communities have easy access to quality health, social, and other public services, good systems of transportation, are walkable and safe, offer opportunities for employment, volunteering, and civic engagement, have effective systems for information sharing and communicating with its citizens, and encourage older adults having a voice and being respected in the communities in which they live,” Kaye said.

School of Social Work – 91���� News

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