Press Release


September 11, 2009

Penquis Chosen to Take Over Assisted Living Services

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
John Martins, Director
DHHS Employee and Public Communications
(207) 287-5012
Or Janeen Feero, Resource Developer, Penquis
(207) 973-3574

AUGUSTA – Penquis Community Action Program Inc. (Penquis) has been selected to provide affordable assisted living services to residents who were formerly cared for by the Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA). Services at Freeses in Bangor, Merry Gardens in Camden and Stearns in Millinocket will be provided by Penquis beginning October 1.

Residents will continue to pay rent directly to the property owner, Realty Resources, based in Rockport. Under the terms of the $1.4 million annual contract with the Department of Health and Human Services, Penquis will provide services to residents including meals, personal care, homemaker services, help with medications and emergency response.

“We are pleased and honored to have been selected for this important work,’’ said Penquis Executive Director Charles Newton. “We look forward to serving the residents of Freeses, Merry Gardens and Stearns, and continuing the tradition of quality care and services at these outstanding facilities.”

In a letter dated August 12, EAAA notified Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey of its decision to discontinue providing affordable assisted living services to 90 residents at these locations. DHHS staff worked collaboratively with the provider community to establish a competitive bidding process.

“I am pleased with the proposal that Penquis delivered and that the organization is ready and willing to assume services October 1,’’ Commissioner Harvey said. “The residents of these three facilities will remain in their homes and continue to receive the same quality services. There should not be any interruption of services.”

Newton said that Penquis will work with current EAAA employees to see if they are interested in continuing to provide services with their agency.

Incorporated in 1967, Penquis has a staff of more than 340 employees and an annual budget of more than $40 million. Penquis operates in all three counties where the affordable assisted living facilities are located—Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox.