The Maine State Forum series with Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Ā鶹APPā€™s Fireside Lounge in the Randall Student Center, Augusta campus has been postponed and will be rescheduled this fall. Secretary Dunlap will discuss the many areas overseen by his department and discuss related topics of interest with those in attendance. This event is free and open to the public.

A specifically designated official in the Maine Constitution, the Secretary of State oversees a number of constitutionally and statutorily designated areas that touch the lives of nearly every Maine citizen, including all statewide elections, motor vehicle registration, driver licensure, corporate filings, and archival document retention.

During his presentation at the Maine State Forum Secretary Dunlap will touch upon these duties and engage with those in attendance on a variety of related topics, including Maineā€™s voting process, REAL ID, and Maineā€™s Bicentennial.

The Maine State Forum invites prominent Maine policymakers to speak at the Ā鶹APP on topics of interest to the Maine community. The question and answer format after the presentation allows attendees to learn and interact with policymakers. The program is coordinated by Assistant Professor Sharon McMahon Sawyer of the Justice Studies Department.

About the Speaker

Image provided of Matthew Dunlap, Courtesy of Secretary of Stateā€™s Office.

Matthew Dunlap of Old Town was elected by the Legislature to serve as Maine’s 47th and 49th Secretary of State. On January 8, 2019, he began his fourth consecutive and seventh overall term in office. He previously served three terms as Maine’s 47th Secretary of State and is the first person to serve non-consecutive terms as Secretary of State since 1880.

Secretary Dunlap’s career in public service began with his election to the Maine House of Representatives in 1996. During eight years in the Legislature, he served three terms as House Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Dunlap is a founder and vice-president of Maine’s Youth Fish and Game Association), and is president of the University of Maine ‘M’ Club. He is a monthly columnist for the Northwoods Sporting Journal, and is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the New England Outdoor Writers Association. In 2011, he served as Executive Director of the Sportsmanā€™s Alliance of Maine. He is a former Commissioner on the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and served as a member of the national Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. For a more detailed biography, please visit: .

For additional information about the Secretary of Stateā€™s Department, please visit: .

Ā鶹APP Justice Studies Program

Justice Studies offers students interested in: law enforcement at the federal, state or local level, security (tangible or virtual), corrections and/or probation, investigations of tangible or cyber-crime, or the lawā€”as lawyer or paralegalā€”the opportunity to acquire an academic foundation for all law-related fields and a credential in one or two specialties. Justice Studies offers a bachelorā€™s degree and an associate degree as well as a Pre-Law Program and certificates in Paralegal Studies, Community Policing, Mediation, and Forensics.

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.

The Maine State Forum series will host Seth Wessler, Investigative Journalist onĀ Wednesday, October 30, 2019Ā fromĀ 6:00 pm to 7:30 pmĀ at the Ā鶹APPā€™s Jewett Hall Auditorium, Augusta campus.Ā  Mr. Wessler will discuss his current investigative work regarding the lack of oversight in the US Marshal Servicesā€™ detention system, as recently published inĀ Ģż²¹²Ō»åĢż.Ā  This event is free and open to the public.

°Õ³ó±šĢżMaine State ForumĀ brings speakers to the Ā鶹APP to discuss topics of interest to the Maine community.Ā  The question and answer format after the presentation allows attendees to learn and interact with the speaker.Ā  The program is coordinated by Assistant Professor Sharon McMahon Sawyer of the Justice Studies Department.

Photo of Seth Freed Wessler, Investigative Journalist. Photo credit: http://sethfreedwessler.pressfolios.com/

About the Speaker

is a Peabody Award and Hillman Prize-winning investigative reporter and a fellow at Type Investigations (formerly called The Nation Institute). He has reported for The New York Times Magazine, The Nation, ProPublica, the Smithsonian Magazine, This American Life, Reveal/The Center for Investigative Reporting, and other outlets.

His work on immigration enforcement, federal prisons, and social services has spurred legislative reforms, inspired advocacy campaigns, and led to shifts in federal and state policy.

Contact:
Sharon McMahon Sawyer
207-621-3257

A panel discussion will follow on the topic of Restraint and Seclusion

Jewett Auditorium, UMA Augusta Campus ā€¢ March 13, 2019 ā€“ 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

The Maine State Forum series will partner with the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council for a screening of ā€œThe Kids We Loseā€, a documentary which details, through interviews and footage from across the country, the rise of punitive interventions such as restraint and seclusion in dealing with children with behavioral challenges.

The film will begin at 5:00 p.m. on March 13, 2019 and immediately following, a panel discussion on Restraint and Seclusion will be held with stakeholders, including parents and educators, as well as experts in child development and alternative techniques in dealing with behaviorally challenged children. The series is free and open to the public.

ā€œThe Kids We Loseā€ is a powerful film that explores the systemic failures that have led to a rise in these interventions, the effects such interventions have on children, and the research that suggests that restraint and seclusion are ineffective for controlling behavior and harmful to the children exposed to it.Ā  This event seeks to raise awareness about the practice and the alternatives that are available.

The panel discussion will feature the following individuals:

Nancy Cronin, MA, Moderator.

Prior to becoming the Director of MDDC, Nancy was the Coordinator for the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Systems Change Initiative and the State Autism Implementation Grant Manager in Maine.Ā  In that role, she facilitated an interagency effort to achieve an efficient and cost-effective comprehensive system of care for persons with ASD.Ā  Nancy joined the staff of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council in January 2008, having previously served for over four years as the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Maine.

Dr. Ross Greene, Ph.D., Panelist

Dr. Greene is an internationally recognized child psychologist and acclaimed author. Dr. Greene was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years and is now founding director of Lives in the Balance. His evidence-based model ā€“ called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), and described in his influential booksĀ The Explosive Child,ĢżLost at School,ĢżLost & Found, andĀ Raising Human BeingsĀ ā€“ has revolutionized the treatment of kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Dr. Greeneā€™s experience working with kids in these settings is the guiding vision for this ā€œThe Kids We Loseā€.

Cathy Dionne

Cathy E. Dionne is the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Maine and has over 22 years in the field of autism.Ā  Her knowledge is derived, not only from her lived experience as a parent of a young man with autism, but also from years of helping families navigate through various systems in Maine.Ā  She participates in many stakeholders groups and leads several programs for individuals with autism.

Benjamin Jones, Esq.

Ben Jones is an attorney in the educational advocacy program at Disability Rights Maine. He represents students with disabilities all across Maine and has been with DRM for five years. Ben co-authored DRMā€™s report entitled: ā€˜ā€™. Ben is a member of the Maine Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion, a group committed to ending the overuse of these dangerous and ineffective practices.

The Maine State Forum invites prominent Maine policymakers to speak at the Ā鶹APP on topics of interest to the Maine community. Ā The question and answer format after the presentation allows attendees to learn and interact with presenters and policymakers.Ā  The Maine State Forum is coordinated by Assistant Professor of Justice Studies Sharon McMahon Sawyer.

Additional Information

Ā鶹APP Justice Studies Program

Justice Studies offers students interested in: law enforcement at the federal, state or local level, security (tangible or virtual), corrections and/or probation, investigations of tangible or cyber-crime, or the lawā€”as lawyer or paralegalā€”the opportunity to acquire an academic foundation for all law-related fields and a credential in one or two specialties. Justice Studies offers a bachelorā€™s degree and an associate degree as well as certificates in Paralegal Studies, Community Policing and Forensics.

The is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and public and governmental agencies that promotes and advocates for equal opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to participate in every aspect of community life. We are committed to creating a Maine in which all people are valued and respected because we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included.

Find the ‘s Facebook page.

Jewett Auditorium, UMA Augusta Campus
March 13, 2019 ā€“ 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

The Maine State Forum series will partner with the Maine Developmental Disabilities Counsel for a screening of ā€œThe Kids We Lose,ā€Ā a documentary which details, through interviews and footage from across the country, the rise of punitive interventions such as restraint and seclusion in dealing with children with behavioral challenges.

The film will begin at 5:00 p.m. on March 13, 2019 and immediately following, a panel discussion on Restraint and Seclusion will be held with stakeholders, including parents and educators, as well as experts in child development and alternative techniques in dealing with behaviorally challenged children. The series is free and open to the public.

ā€œThe Kids We Loseā€ is a powerful film that explores the systemic failures that have led to a rise in these interventions, the effects such interventions have on children, and the research that suggests that restraint and seclusion are ineffective for controlling behavior and harmful to the children exposed to it. This event seeks to raise awareness about the practice and the alternatives that are available.

The Maine State Forum invites prominent Maine policymakers to speak at the Ā鶹APP on topics of interest to the Maine community. The question and answer format after the presentation allows attendees to learn and interact with presenters and policymakers. The Maine State Forum is coordinated by Assistant Professor Sharon McMahon Sawyer.

Additional Information

Ā鶹APP Justice Studies Program
Justice Studies offers students interested in: law enforcement at the federal, state or local level, security (tangible or virtual), corrections and/or probation, investigations of tangible or cyber-crime, or the lawā€”as lawyer or paralegalā€”the opportunity to acquire an academic foundation for all law-related fields and a credential in one or two specialties. Justice Studies offers a bachelorā€™s degree and an associate degree as well as certificates in Paralegal Studies, Community Policing and Forensics.

The is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and public and governmental agencies that promotes and advocates for equal opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to participate in every aspect of community life. We are committed to creating a Maine in which all people are valued and respected because we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included.

Jim Doherty is the Staff Assistant to the Center Director at the VA Maine Healthcare System.Ā  Jim acts as a liaison with veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, congressional offices, community partners and the general public.

Patrick Crowley is the Public Affairs Officer and Change Management Agent for the Regional Office in Togus. The Regional Office processes disability compensation claims and assists Veterans with vocational rehabilitation and employment services.

LaRhonda Harris, R.N. is the WomenĀ VeteransĀ Program Manager, VA Maine HCS.Ā She works to improve womenā€™s health services, she serves as a resource for Veteran women in the community, and she is the leader of the facilities womenā€™s health program.

Jim Christie is the Community Outreach Specialist for Maine and New Hampshire and a UMA alumnus. He educates and advocates for Veterans and assists them in obtaining benefits.

Joleen Lilley, LCSW is the VA Maine Program Manager of the Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn Post 911 Transition and Care Management Services Team.Ā  In this role, she additionally serves as the VA liaison to the Maine Army/Air National Guard, the Maine Vet Centers, and Dept. of Defense Transitional Care Team.

Nancy Gillespie is the Outreach Specialist for the Lewiston Vet Center. An Army Veteran herself, she is passionate about supporting other Veterans. She holds regular hours in Lewiston, Augusta, Brunswick, and Rockland to answer Vet Center questions and referrals to both VA programs and community Veteran opportunities.

Amy Line is Ā鶹APP Director of Military andĀ VeteranĀ Services and a UMA Alumna.Ā  She is instrumental in helping Veterans navigate their college experience from their first day right through graduation.

The panel will discuss benefits available forĀ Veterans including educational, medical, and other services.Ā  A question and answer period will follow the presentation.Ā Veterans, active military, and their family members are encouraged to meet with the panelists after the event.

These wooden seals representing the 5 branches of service are displayed in the Veterans Academic Center at UMA.

TheĀ Maine StateĀ ForumĀ invites prominent Maine policymakers to speak at the Ā鶹APP on topics of interest to the Maine community. The Forum is in its second year of bringing speakers, the UMA community, and the public together to meet and discuss topics in the news that affect the lives of Maine residents.