On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) and Volunteers of America (VOA) Northern New England co-hosted the second Maine statewide convening of 2024. This gathering brought together 54 professionals from various organizations, showcasing the commitment to combating substance use disorder and supporting deflection and diversion efforts in Maine.
Representatives from the following organizations were present:
- Artivism in Maine (AIMe)
- ARK Behavioral Health
- Bangor Public Health
- Belfast Police Department
- CDC Foundation
- Coastal Recovery Community Center (CRCC)
- Council of State Governments
- Federal Government
- Helping Incarcerated Individuals Transition and Beyond Bars (HIIT)
- Jobs for the Future
- LEAD
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
- Maine Pretrial Services, INC
- Maine State Police
- MCD Global Health
- New England HIDTA
- PAARI
- Restorative Justice Project Maine
- Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic Project (SAFE)
- Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office
- Scarborough Police Department
- State of Maine / Office of Behavioral Health
- Sweetser
- U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
- VOA Northern New England
- Waldo County Sheriff’s Office
- Wellspring
Zoe Grover, PAARI’s Executive Director, commenced the meeting by introducing Robyn Goff, Director of Community Justice Programs at VOA Northern New England. Robyn provided a brief history of the convenings, highlighting their importance and the collaborative efforts involved.
Robyn then introduced the event’s first speaker, Tia Poulin, LADC, CCS, Diversion & Deflection Program Manager, who introduced VOA’s new Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) map tool. This innovative tool, designed for Waldo and Knox Counties, outlines available resources across all five intercepts of the SIM. The newly developed tool will be available in the coming months for law enforcement and community partners to be able to scan the QR which will take individuals to links for resources at each intercept someone becomes involved with the criminal justice system.
Zoe then shared upcoming PAARI events. The next PAARI 101 is being held on June 20 and the next Spotlight Series will be held on June 25th. For more information and to register, visit the PAARI website HERE.
Robyn then introduced Gordon Smith, State of Maine Opioid Response Director. Gordon addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of deflection and diversion programs. He advocated for treating substance use disorder as an illness rather than a crime, underscoring the need to keep individuals out of the criminal justice system. Gordon also announced his participation in the 6th annual Governor’s Summit on July 25th at Central Maine Community College, which will include breakout sessions focused on deflection and diversion efforts. Learn more about the summit HERE.
Gordon also shared the receipt of $12 million in Opioid Settlement Funds and urged small nonprofits to submit letters of intent to request funding. Additionally, he emphasized that there are now many more detox beds around the state, with efforts to spread the word about their availability. In the area of North and Waldo counties, they will have 8 detox beds for women at Tessa’s House, with $1.1 million committed to ensure the space is updated and ready to serve.
Najja Morris Frazier then shared insights from her extensive experience with the LEAD program. Her work began with LEAD over 10 years ago as a case manager and subsequently as a supervisor in the Seattle LEAD program, the first in the country. She shared that LEAD is hoping to launch sites in the UK and South Africa.
She highlighted the program’s evolution from officer referrals to community referrals, allowing community members to refer individuals who have a high risk of law enforcement contact. LEAD aims to provide a comprehensive support system for individuals navigating substance use disorders and other challenges. “Lead is meant to be a golden thread that weaves between every system that touches an individual,” said Najja.
Chief Robert Cormier then reflected on his experiences during the opioid crisis in New Hampshire, which began in 2015 when he was the president of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police. “All of a sudden a tidal wave had hit New Hampshire and it seemed to happen overnight,” said Chief Cormier. He shared that during the rise of this crisis, many concerned family members came into his office and felt they had no resources. At this point, the PD and the recovery community worked in silos. Chief Cormier realized that “we didn’t just need to work together, we needed to be best friends.” He also shared the implementation of an evidence-based program for students in grades 6-9 during the 2015-2016 school year that focused on substance misuse education without stigmatization. He shared the positive feedback his team received.
Andrea Taatjes, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Behavioral Health Division in the Council of State Governments, then addressed the attendees. Prior to her current position, she worked at the Portland Police Department. She discussed the co-responder program in Portland which embeds clinicians in 911 response teams. This program allows clinicians to respond to calls independently, providing crucial outreach and support services. Andrea also highlighted the Council of State Governments’ initiatives, including free technical assistance and various toolkits for law enforcement agencies.
Lt. Mike Murphy followed her remarks by detailing the Alternative Sentencing Program in Lincoln County, which offers a unique, camp-like environment for individuals referred by courts. This program, running twice a year, focuses on community service and education, providing a rehabilitative alternative to traditional sentencing for non-violent offenders. Learn more HERE.
The Maine Convenings are hosted quarterly on the first Thursday of every three months. The next convening will be held on September 5th. Perspective attendees can sign up at the link HERE. Additionally, VOA holds a monthly diversion work group that includes representation from just local stakeholders. You can email tia.poulin@voanne.org if you are interested in participating.
You can watch the entire recording of the event HERE.
Speakers
Chief Robert Cormier
Chief Bob Cormier is a 40-year veteran of Law Enforcement. He served as the Tilton Police Chief for over 14 years. He also served as the Interim Chief of Police for the Hartford Police Department, VT, and is currently the Chief of Police for the City of Belfast, Maine. Chief Cormier attended Boston State College, School of Law Enforcement, and completed a Graduate Degree Program in Public Service Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. He is also a 2011 Graduate of the 245th Session of the FBI National Academy, FBI LEEDA Command Institute, Executive Leadership Institute, and is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates.
Chief Cormier began his career, graduating from the Metropolitan Police Academy in the Metropolitan Boston area in 1982, where he worked for the City of Woburn Police Department before heading to the Los Angeles Police Department. After graduation from the Los Angeles Police Academy, his many assignments included: 77th Street Division, Hollywood Division, Foothill Division, Devonshire Division, Pacific Division, Oakwood Task Force, and LAPD Vice. Chief Cormier also served as the 2015-2016 President of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and 1st Vice President of the New England Chiefs of Police. Chief Cormier also served on the IACP Policy Committee for Patrol and Tactics and is currently a member of IACP, the New England Chiefs of Police, and Maine Chiefs of Police.
In 2019, Chief Cormier represented New Hampshire at the National Addiction Policy Forum Conference in Washington DC and was recognized by the Addiction Policy Forum for his work in New Hampshire as 2019 “Innovator of the Year.” In addition to working closely with the Addiction Policy Forum, he also developed strong relationships with Granite Recovery and Teen Challenge across New England. He also brought an evidence-based drug prevention program to New Hampshire called LEAD. Chief Cormier is currently Chair of the Law Enforcement Advisory Board for LEAD, which has grown to over 40 states.
Robyn Goff, Director of Community Justice Programs, Volunteers of America
Robyn Goff currently serves as the new Director of Community Justice Programs for Volunteers of America Northern New England (VOANNE). Robyn has worked with VOA since 2013 and held various positions at The Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center in Belfast, Maine, serving as Program Manager for several years. Robyn has also held various professional licenses over the years including a Substance Use Counselor, Social Worker and Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician working at diverse types of treatments centers, including, a methadone clinic here in Maine, a suboxone clinic and abstinence-based treatment center in the state of Kansas. Robyn is trained in Moral Injury, Non-Violent Communication and Restorative Practices. She works closely with Waldo & Knox County Sheriff’s Office, through grant writing on implementing programs like community liaison officers, LEAD initiative, recovery coaching, and the opening of their new community-based reentry services office, in downtown Belfast and Rockland, to provide services to those returning to our communities after a period of incarceration.
Najja Morris-Frazier, Director, LEAD National Support Bureau
Najja Morris-Frazier is the Director of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Support Bureau and currently leads a U.S. based team of four. Najja and her team are responsible for providing technical assistance, to national and international jurisdictions, who are working to launch LEAD programs in their communities; this includes all phases of implementation from exploratory to launch, operations, sustaining and expansion of their initiatives. Prior to joining the LEAD Support Bureau in early 2017, Najja was a Case Manager and Direct Services Supervisor in the LEAD pilot program in Seattle WA. Prior to her work with LEAD, Najja dedicated over 20 years working within urban communities of Seattle on-behalf of a wide array of marginalized and disenfranchised populations who had been deeply harmed by a combination of disparities in education, the criminal legal system, housing, and healthcare systems.
Lt. Mike Murphy
Lieutenant Michael Murphy has served over 40 years in Law Enforcement. A veteran of the U.S. Army and former Detective with the Rockland Police Department, he has served the past 25 years with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Wiscasset, Maine. Lt. Murphy supervises the Special Services Division comprising of Criminal Investigators, Court Security, Inmate Transport and Inmate Programs.
Lt. Murphy organizes and oversees the Alternative Sentencing Program held twice a year at Wavus Camps in Jefferson. This program receives referrals from the Courts and the Defense Bar. Each session consists of a 2 day First Offender program and a 7 day Second Offender program.
Tia Poulin, LADC, CCS, Diversion & Deflection Program Manager
Tia Poulin graduated with an associate degree in human services from Beal College in 2008. She went on to get her certification in Substance Abuse Counseling and began working as a counselor in an Opiate Treatment Program (OTP). She remained dedicated to supporting those battling addiction and gained her full licensure in 2011. In 2012 Tia began working in community correction with Volunteers of America as a Case Manager at the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center. Through the next 5 years she aided in program development and building connections with the community. Returning to OTPs in 2016 Tia quickly worked her way through operational management leading to a Regional Director role with oversight of 8 locations spanning 3 states and serving 3,200 patients.
Gordon Smith, Director State of Maine Opioid Response
Gordon H. Smith, Esq. was appointed by Governor Janet Mills as Director of Opioid Response in January 2019. He is responsible for coordinating and directing Maine’s response to the opioid crisis, including prescriber education and reduction of opioid prescribing, prevention and treatment of substance use disorder, and harm reduction strategies. He stepped down as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of the Maine Medical Association in January 2019, where he had served as its EVP since September 1993 and where he began as General Counsel in 1981. He graduated from the University of Maine with the highest distinction in 1973 and from the Boston College Law School, magna cum laude, in 1976. He is a past Chairman of the American Society of State Medical Association Counsel, a nation-wide group of 140 attorneys representing medical associations.
Andrea Taatjes, Senior Policy Analysis Behavioral Health Division
Andrea Taatjes provides technical assistance to grantees focused on substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and mental illness to enhance collaboration between state and local agencies. Andrea is a licensed mental health counselor who has an extensive history working in criminal justice and community behavioral health settings. Before joining the CSG Justice Center, Andrea worked as the behavioral health coordinator for the Portland Police Department in Maine, where she oversaw the Behavioral Health Unit that is nationally recognized for its law enforcement-mental health co-responder program. She also created the department’s first Alternative Response Program, which deploys civilian mental health teams to appropriate 911 calls for service without law enforcement. Andrea earned her BA in psychology from The University of New England and her MA in forensic and counseling psychology from William James College.
