PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties welcomed a delegation from Opportunities Inc., based in Great Falls, Montana, as part of an Immersive Whole Family Approach Mentoring Visit.
The visiting team included Karla Seaman, executive director of Opportunities Inc., along with senior leadership in operations, finance and early childhood education. During their time in Northern Maine, the group engaged in a multi-day learning exchange focused on CAAWHC’s nationally recognized Whole Family Approach, which integrates services to support families in achieving long-term economic mobility and stability.
The visit began May 19 with a comprehensive overview of CAAWHC’s organizational transformation and Whole Family model, including interactive discussions with agency leadership and staff. Sessions throughout the week highlighted key components of implementation, including family centered coaching, integrated program design and the financial and operational strategies used to “blend and braid” funding streams across programs.
A unique feature of the visit is the opportunity for the Montana team to hear directly from a participating parent and family coach, offering firsthand insight into the impact of Whole Family coaching on family outcomes. Additional discussions explored workforce development integration, the role of the family council in guiding organizational change and the intersection of early care and education with broader family support systems.
Throughout the week, the delegation toured several CAAWHC locations in northern Maine to see the Whole Family Approach in action. These include the Gouldville Early Care and Education Center in Presque Isle, the Houlton Customer Service and Early Care and Education Center and partnership classrooms at the Caribou Community School. The group will also visit the Caribou Early Care and Education Center to observe how coordinated services support both children and their families.
The visit also incorporates “vocational pairing” sessions, allowing leaders from both organizations to engage in deeper peer-to-peer learning and strategy discussions across roles such as executive leadership, finance, operations and early childhood programming.
This exchange builds on a growing national network of Community Action Agencies working to adopt and refine Whole Family strategies. By sharing best practices and lessons learned, both organizations aim to strengthen their ability to deliver integrated, high-impact services in their respective communities.
“This visit reflects the strong spirit of collaboration within the Community Action network,” Jason Parent, executive director/CEO of CAAWHC, said. “We are proud to share the work our team has accomplished across Northern and Downeast Maine and to learn alongside colleagues who are equally committed to helping families thrive.”
The visit concluded with a full team debrief to reflect on key learnings and identify opportunities for continued partnership and innovation.
