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In response to LD 2220, the Department of Human Services with support and coordination from the Children’s Cabinet, created the New Residents Committee (NRC) to assist communities in their ability to meet the challenges presented by the arrival of new residents. The primary goal of the NRC is to research and identify possible funding mechanisms to improve the coordination and direct services to the influx of new residents.
Funding applications should request support for the following purposes, insofar as funding is available: job training, employment, housing, childcare, transportation, language skills, and community building. In addition, the NRC will work to develop regional and statewide plans that address the unique and challenging service delivery inherent in this population based on Portland and Lewiston’s experience.
The NRC is working collaboratively with the Task Force formed and led by Mike Finnegan to address specific issues relating to refugee and immigrant populations in Maine. Both the Task Force and the NRC are in the process of developing priorities with which to guide funding and planning. Recently, the NRC applied for funding to improve medical and mental health access for new residence. Members of the NRC include: