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Bucksport
C4C Partner Community since 1998
Community of Promise since December 2000
Bucksport Communities for Children:
The Bucksport Communities for Children originated out of a community mobilization effort that was supported by Maine’s Healthy Communities Program, beginning in 1995. The community developed a Children’s Leadership Council and became a Communities for Children in 1998. This Partner Community received a Communities for Children VISTA member in 1999 and became a Community of Promise in December 2000.
The Healthy Communities effort continues alongside the C4C development. The Bucksport C4C provides an example of how a local collaboration that draws on a variety of state-level resources over a period of years can be result in remarkable community change. All the sources of assistance from state programs have proved to be complimentary in this community. It also exemplifies a community that has worked closely with local government to achieve its goals for children, their families and the entire community.
Bucksport has put together resources and mobilized community members in a comprehensive health planning process. More than 100 local citizens participated in six age-specific focus groups to assist in developing a town health plan. The Bucksport Town Council adopted the Bucksport Health Plan on October 12, 2000.
The Bucksport Regional Health Center opened a dental clinic in January 2001 to serve medically underserved families. This culminated efforts begun under the Healthy Communities program and brought to fruition with the help of the Communities for Children VISTA member. The clinic is projected to serve 1500 children in its first year of operation.
Thirteen area middle school students formed the Bucksport Youth Council to plan the development of a local teen center and other after-school activities. In December 2000 the Bucksport School Department received a $308,000 grant to establish a Coordinated School Health Program. This program will reach 1,224 students.
Eleven citizens formed a Wellness and Fitness Subcommittee of the Bucksport C4C to plan the development of a community center as part of their mission. In February 2001 an Early Childhood Subcommittee was formed by 13 educators, childcare providers, and interested citizens to review the needs of the town’s youngest citizens.
The Bucksport Community Health Advisory Committee received the 2000 Johnson & Johnson Health Care Crystal Award with a two-year $100,000 grant to establish a Health Planning Department for the Town of Bucksport. This grant enabled the C4C VISTA to become a full-time employee of the town of Bucksport.
Contact Bucksport C4C
| Betty Gray, RN |
| Bucksport Communities for Children |
| PO Box 400 |
| Bucksport, Maine 04416 |
| Phone: 469-6650 |
| Fax: 469-7369 |
| E-Mail: mjbush@acadia.net |