ABOUT US
Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition (CHCC) is a nonprofit, comprehensive community health coalition working to create healthier communities in Northern York County, Maine. Under the auspices of the University of New England (UNE), CHCC leads several public health initiatives to achieve social, policy, and environmental changes, including:
Project Alliance/Substance Misuse
Project Alliance is a substance misuse prevention coalition that focuses on increasing community involvement to improve prevention programming; address youth alcohol and cannabis misuse; and promote safe storage and disposal of prescription medications. This initiative is funded by the Drug-Free Communities grant from The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and engages community leaders from 12 community sectors.
The coalition follows the Strategic Prevention Framework – and is led by staff who hold Provisional Certification as Prevention Specialists in the State of Maine; have completed SAMHSA's Ethics in Prevention Training; and have graduated from the National Coalition Academy training program offered by the Community of Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).
Lead Poisoning Prevention
Everyone plays a part in ensuring our youngest community members (children) are safe from lead poisoning. Through this program, we educate parents and families on the dangers of lead poisoning and provide landlords with the funds needed to remove lead paint safely. Biddeford is one of five high-risk areas designated by the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) for having the greatest burden of children with lead poisoning. This initiative is funded by HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes and is offered by the City of Biddeford's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program in partnership with Community Concepts and CHCC.
SNAP-Ed Nutrition
This nutrition program empowers community members to shop, cook, and eat healthy on a budget. Maine SNAP-Ed uses evidence-based curricula and multi-level community-based approaches to help make the healthy choice the easy choice for low-income Maine families. Trained nutrition educators provide hands-on cooking classes, support wellness committees, and increase food access through garden programs and Farmers' Market partnerships. This initiative is grant-funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and implemented in York County by CHCC.
MEET THE CHCC TEAM
Cheri Anderson, MA, PPS
Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3589
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
National University San Diego
Susan LaVerriere, MA
Evaluation/Administrative Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3520
Education
Bachelor of Science in Economics, Carroll University
Bachelor of Arts in Music, University of Southern Maine
Master of Arts in Health Services Administration
University of Wisconsin
Mia Taranko
Substance Use Prevention
Project Coordinator
Ethan Pollard
Project Alliance
Coalition Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3551
Education
Bachelor of Science in Health Management and Policy Minor: Public Health Graduate Certificate
University of New Hampshire
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 602-3555
Education
Bachelor of Science in Mid-Level Education
Arkansas State University
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Hannah Lynch
SNAP-Ed Nutrition
Education Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3521
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Minor: Public Health
University of New England
Sierra Sawyer, MS
Project Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3550
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
Western Colorado University
Master of Science in Educational Leadership
University of New England
Lex Abbatello
SNAP-Ed Nutrition
Education Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3596
Education
Bachelor of Science
Health Communication and Promotion
Emerson College
Anna Lyons
Prevention Coordinator
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 602-3550
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Political Science
University of Southern Maine
Our Coalition Members & Community Volunteers
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community volunteers who complete our CHCC Team. Your dedication is a testament to the power
of unity and the positive change that can be achieved when people come together for a common purpose. Your contributions, big and small, create a lasting impact and make our community a better place.
Thank you for making a difference.