Date: 12/10/2026 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sponsor: Maine Welfare Directors Association
Location: Maine Municipal Association, Conference Center, 60 Community Dr, Augusta, ME 04330
Time: Registration: 8:30am - 9:00am | Workshop: 9:00am - 3:30pm
Presenter(s): Various, see agenda
Cost: MWDA Members: $55 | Non-Members: $65, Course fee includes continental breakfast, coffee, lunch, and workshop materials
Who Should Attend: Selectmen, GA Administrators, Town Managers, or others responsible for administering General Assistance. This workshop provides an overview of the fundamental principles (and sometimes intermediate) of General Assistance administration and compliance.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Welcome & Introductions — Chris Pupke, Director of Social Services, South Portland
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. How to maneuver the legislative process and how best to present testimony — Amanda Campbell, Legislative Advocate, Advocacy & Communications, MMA
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Project Home – Lucas Schrage - Director of Housing Initiatives, Project Home
“We create pathways to possibility through stable housing, better health, and financial security.”
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Project Home - Continued
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. DHHS – TANF, Emergency Assistance, and Alternative Aid - Alexandria Lauritzen, TANF Program Manager, Maine DHHS
The EA program provides payments to vendors for families with children who are threatened by severe hardship or homelessness due to an emergency situation. This could include assistance with past due utilities, repairs, disaster recovery, or other emergencies.
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. 211 Maine, Keep ME Warm, and United Way – Working Together – Derek Morin, Contact Center Manager, 211 Maine
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. The Salvation Army – Keith Davis, Corps Officer (Pastor/Administrator), The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Northern New England Division offers emergency assistance programs in Maine to help individuals and families facing financial hardship, job loss, fixed-income challenges, or long-term disabilities.
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. HEAP/LIHEAP, LIAP, CHIP, and Emergency Home Repair Grants –Andrea Pasco, Development Director, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program
QUESTIONS/CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations must be submitted using this Cancellation form to cancel your registration for an event. Cancellations received before 12/4/26 will be assessed a $15 administrative fee for processing. Registration changes (switching from in-person to virtual or vice versa) will be assessed a $15 administrative fee for processing. Cancellations received on/after 12/4/26 will be charged 50% of the course fee. Any registrant who does not attend and does not cancel their registration (i.e., no-show) and any cancellation received the day of the event will be charged the full registration fee.
For membership and registration questions, please contact Member Services at [email protected]. For all other questions, please contact [email protected].
CERTIFICATION: Participants must be in attendance for the full day, either in person or logged in via zoom, to receive a digital certificate of attendance. Certificates will be sent via email up to 2 weeks following the class. You are responsible for keeping your digital certificate after each training.
ADA MESSAGE: In order to ensure your complete participation, we would appreciate your informing us of any special requirements you may have due to a disability.
MEMBERSHIP: SAVE NOW: Join MWDA and save! Visit https://mainewelfaredirectors.org/ to download a membership application or email [email protected].
Register on eBusiness
10