OPTIONS Liaisons
Whether you want to make a change related to your own substance use, or you are exploring resources and services for a loved one, your local OPTIONS Liaison is someone you can trust to help you navigate. Liaisons are substance use professionals, plugged into a network of local resources for harm reduction, treatment and recovery, as well as other services. They offer judgment-free guidance, understanding that everyone’s path is unique and not every service is a good fit for every person. Get in touch now, and read more about the ways to find support below.
OPTIONS Liaisons, by County*
*This list will be updated as Liaisons come on board for each Maine county. In the case of an immediate medical emergency, such as an overdose, call 911.
Androscoggin County: Dave Bilodeau – dbilodea@tcmhs.org – (207) 344-1828 (direct) or Request Help Online
Aroostook County: Marshall VanHollow – mvanhollow@amhc.org – (207) 532-6523 ext 621 or Request Help Online
Cumberland County: Tom MacElhaney – tjmacelhaney@sweetser.org – (207) 468-2848 or Request Help Online
Franklin County: Kat Beaumont, BA, CADC – kbeaumont@sweetser.org – or Request Help Online
Hancock County: Nick St. Louis – nstlouis@amhc.org – (207) 496-9430 or Request Help Online
Kennebec County: Dawn Kearns – dkearns@sweetser.org – (207) 446-3304 or Request Help Online
Knox County: Keith Bellefleur – kbellefleur@sweetser.org – (207) 844-4732 or Request Help Online
Lincoln County: Nicholas Loscocco – nloscocco@sweetser.org – (207) 468-3483 or Request Help Online
Oxford County: Glenn Gordon – glenn.gordon@ocmhs.org – (207) 357-1751 or Request Help Online
Penobscot County: Ashley Roberts, CADC – aroberts@chcs-me.org – (207) 991-1162 or Request Help Online
Piscataquis County: Megan Harrigan, CADC – mharrigan@chcs-me.org – (207) 949-0271 or Request Help Online
Sagadahoc County: Mariah Beauregard, CADC – mbeauregard@sweetser.org – (207) 468-3304 or Request Help Online
Somerset County: Mandi Smiley – msmiley@sweetser.org – (207) 468-6979 or Request Help Online
Waldo County: Ann Ward – aeward@sweetser.org – (207) 468-2766 or Request Help Online
Washington County: Joe (Eric) Finnemore – efinnemore@amhc.org – (207) 762-4851 or Request Help Online
York County: Lacey Bailey – lmbailey@sweetser.org – (207) 468-4015 or Request Help Online
The Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety (OPTIONS) initiative is a coordinated effort of the Maine Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and other state agencies to improve the health of Mainers with substance use disorder. OPTIONS supports treatment, harm reduction and recovery, and aims to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal drug related overdoses. The OPTIONS co-responder initiative embeds licensed behavioral health clinicians within local emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement agencies in every county across Maine. Liaisons work alongside their first responder counterparts to:
- Provide brief therapeutic interventions when appropriate.
- Conduct proactive outreach with at-risk communities.
- De-escalate behavioral health crises when possible.
- Engage in post-overdose follow up and help with referrals.
Each OPTIONS Liaison serves the entire county in which they are located. As part of the OPTIONS Liaison program, OBH and the Maine CDC are working to better integrate the varying levels of support services in each county. These services may include Syringe Service Programs (SSPs), Tier 1 and Tier 2 naloxone distributors, Recovery Centers, MAT treatment providers, food and housing supports among others. For more information on the OPTIONS Liaison program, contact robert.porter@maine.gov.