Recently, Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer joined with other partner organizations as part of the Behavioral Health Priorities Coalition to release the legislative package we are advocating for this session. Some of our priority legislation includes bills like An Act to Expand Child Assertive Community Treatment and An Act to Provide Grants to Schools That Contract for Behavioral and Mental Health Services.
View the full legislative package below:
Sweetser’s longtime Educator & Farm Manager Julia Birtolo was a guest on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment where she discussed the amazing experiences students at our K-12 Special Purpose School in Saco get to have out on our farm.
Sweetser has been out front on the current $118 million MaineCare funding shortfall the state is currently faced with. Sweetser’s Chief Financial Officer John McAnuff has been crisscrossing multiple media outlets to make the case for why it’s critical for providers like us to be made whole and avoid any delays in MaineCare payments. While the supplemental budget failed to get to 2/3’s support, legislative leadership is proposing a MaineCare fix as part of the regular budget process. We remain hopeful for a solution. See articles and clips below…
MAINE MORNING STAR
“The clients that we serve are not numbers on a spreadsheet,” McAnuff said. “They are real people with real challenges, and disruptions in service will negatively impact their lives and the communities in which they live.”
NEWS CENTER MAINE
WGME CHANNEL 13
“We are greatly concerned that this will impact Mainers in all parts of the state,” Sweetser Chief Financial Officer John McAnuff said.
Take a listen to our latest radio Mental Health Minute with Lori Voornas from 94.9 WHOM discussing Sweetser’s Special Purpose K-12 School.
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was recently named in the Top Women Leaders of 2025 by Women We Admire, an internationally recognized women’s news outlet. This honor is awarded to leaders who inspire those around them and cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, and success in the organizations and communities they serve.
Jayne’s dedication to leading the charge for change in Maine’s behavioral health landscape, her commitment to implementing evidence-based practices into treatment options, and her drive in eliminating the mental health stigma in our communities, are just some of the ways Jayne’s efforts merit this powerful recognition.
To learn more about the awardees and to see Jayne’s feature, check out the article below:
https://thewomenweadmire.com/2025/03/the-top-women-leaders-of-2025/
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was recently interviewed by News Center Maine’s Vivien Leigh about the organization’s bid for Maine’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility.
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was interviewed by The Maine Monitor and the Press Herald about the behavioral health system workforce challenges and the potential solutions being discussed.
In a recent Mental Health Minute with Lori Voornas from 94.9 WHOM, spokesperson Justin Chenette discusses the impact of Sweetser’s new Lewiston Hope & Healing Center.
“In my time in this role, I have helped many people take those first steps and watched them build success in their recovery,” said Manny Reis, Sweetser Recovery Coach and Frankin County OPTIONS program lead. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see lives change through support and connection, and it has been my honor to do so.”
Sweetser recently hosted its 6th annual Jam for Mental Health at the Elks Lodge in Sanford. The event boasted its largest turnout yet and raised over $17,700 for mental health services in York County.
Participants enjoyed live music from local bands, a 50/50 raffle, dancing, T-shirt sales, and light refreshments. Several guest speakers opened up about their own experiences with mental health challenges, sharing stories about their journey to accessing treatment and support.
Sweetser’s Director of Recovery Services Alaina Knox appeared on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment segment to discuss how Sweetser’s recovery coaches help Mainers create their own self-determined pathway of recovery. Sweetser currently has six Recovery Coaches that deliver services across Franklin, York, Kennebec, and Oxford counties, supporting Mainers with substance use disorders where they are at, connecting the recovering person with community resources and harm reduction strategies.
Members of the Sanford Masonic Lodge, Preble Lodge #143 presented Sweetser with a check for $3,000 to support mental health services in the Sanford/Springvale communities. The group raised funds with a hugely successful bowling tournament. The lodge is an extremely philanthropic organization, raising a great deal of money for local charities.