Professional Accomplishments

Statement

Michael has a proven record of advocating for change and working collaboratively to produce positive results. Below is a list of positions and titles that Michael has held over the last 30 years along with the related awards he has earned both professionally and in the Maine legislature.

Education

Positions

* Taught adult basic education courses and G.E.D. preparation in Portland.
* Administered a recreation/education program for disadvantaged youth in Portland.
* Created one of Southern Maine's first alternative education programs for out of school youth.
* Policy Associate at the Muskie School of Public Service where he directs projects related to child welfare, substance abuse, mental health and public policy.
* Adjunct faculty member at the University of New England in the graduate school of social work.
* Provided staff support for a community task force that examined ways to expand educational opportunities at Community Colleges.

Related Awards

* Maine Coalition for Education and Excellence, Legislative Recognition
* Maine School Counselors Association, Advocate of the Year Award

Health Care and Prescription Drugs

Positions

* Treasurer, Board of Directors of Prescription Policy Choices, a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational and public policy organization that provides independent, objective information and expertise on prescription drug policy in order to reduce prescription drug prices and increase access to affordable medication.

Related Awards

* Maine Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, Legislator of the Year
* Maine Coalition on Health

Environment

Positions

* Field Director, Campaign for Safe Energy.
* Advisory Board, Friends of Evergreen
* Trustee, Green Century Funds, Boston, Massachusetts.

Related Awards

* Maine Audubon Society Legislative Recognition Award
* League of Conservation voters, Recognized for environmental voting record

Youth Counseling, Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Positions

* Provided outpatient family therapy, diagnosis of mental health issues & substance abuse evaluation services and coordinated various training programs for Day One, Inc.
* Co-Chair of the Board of Managers, Casey Family Services, which provides services for children and families in the child welfare system.
* Member, Congressman Tom Allen's Advisory Committee on Children's Issues.
* Member, Commission to restructure child and family services.

Related Awards

* Day One, Executive Director's Leadership Award
* Maine Association of Substance Abuse Providers Legislative Recognition Award
* Maine Afterschool Network Legislative Recognition Award
* National Association of Social Workers, Legislator of the Year
* Youth Leadership Advisory Program, First Annual Legislator of the Year Award

Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Positions

* Executive Director of the Cumberland County Affordable Housing Venture.
* Advisory Board Member, Habitat for Humanity.
* Commissioner, Portland Housing Authority.
* Provided staff support for Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee.
* Member of the Portland Homeless Youth Advisory Committee.
* Co-authored Study on Homelessness in Portland.

Related Awards

* Preble Street Resource Center's Joe Kreisler Community Impact Award

Professional Positions

* Director of Community Initiatives for the United Way of Greater Portland
* Assistant National Director, Equal Justice Foundation.
* Director of Organizational Development for Coastal Economic Development Corporation

Community Activities

* National Professional Advisory Council Public Policy Committee, Maine Human Services Provider Coalition; Cumberland County Human Services Advisory Committee.
* Community Needs Assessment; Elderly Needs Task Force Report; Cumberland County Joint Housing Committee Report and Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Task Force Report.
* Member, Cumberland County Human Services Advisory Board.
* Member, Commission to Evaluate County Government.
* Member, AIDS Task Force
* President of the Board of Directors of Common Dreams, a U.S. based news website with a progressive perspective.
* Member, Board of Directors, Southern Maine Economic Development District.
* Elected Member, Cumberland County Charter Commission.

Related Awards

* Maine Department of Human Service Commissioner's Leadership Award
* Cumberland County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, Community Service Award
* Maine Parent Federation Legislative Appreciation Award
* Dirigo Alliance, Leader for Change Award

Source