LEWISTON — Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice is looking for volunteers to support patients under the Community Care Team.

CCT works with area physician practices to identify patients with unique and multiple support needs that require additional help. Volunteers will provide short-term assistance to patients such as rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery store, food pantry, career center or to the YMCA/YWCA. Other volunteer needs include, but not limited to, meeting with patients for companionship, assist in education on how to use a computer and doing crafts.

The training is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s Lewiston Office, 15 Strawberry Ave.

New volunteers will need to complete a four-hour general training before they can begin volunteering. To register, contact the volunteer office at 777-7740, ext. 1280.

Because of the unique and multiple support needs of CCT patients, special training will be provided for those wishing to volunteer for the program.

The training will include an overview of mental illnesses that are most common with the CCT population, trauma focused-care and positive ways to connect with others who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and fears. It will also include how to de-escalate certain behaviors, establish and maintain professional boundaries, community resources and what is appropriate and not appropriate when visiting patients.

Volunteers are asked to provide a one-year commitment of two to four hours a week. Cases for CCT are usually three months, but may go as long as nine months until other services can be established. Volunteers must be comfortable working with high-risk individuals. Although experience is not necessary, a background in a social services field or volunteer experience in the area can be beneficial.

“The CCT program helps clients connect with the agencies that can help. It is often a challenge to get a client to use the resources correctly but when you do see a client finally using a resource and making changes in their life, it is rewarding,” said Cindy Boyd, AHCH CCT volunteer.

Community Care Teams are multi-disciplinary, community-based proactive-integrated care management teams that will work closely with Patient-Centered Medical Home Pilot practices and MaineCare Health Homes to provide enhanced services for the most complex, most high needs patients in the practice.

CCT social workers conduct a social needs assessment, connect patients to community resources and assist in completing the application to obtain support services.

CCT nurses conduct a health assessment and screening, work to develop strategies to manage health conditions, help manage medication, provide diabetes education, provide guidance for healthier living, help set goals to improve health and provide coaching to help individuals meet their goals.

For more information on Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and its services, visit www.AHCH.org.