About Us
Our Story
Assistance Plus, established 1993, Benton, ME
Johnna Bowen, RN, Owner and President of Assistance Plus is well known to central Maine families for her significant contributions in the homecare industry. We are a family run and community drive organization, invested in community support of our neighbors, friends, and family.
At the beginning of her career in 1985, Johnna went into partnership with another homecare nurse to establish a Medicare-certified agency providing skilled nursing, physical/occupational therapies, social services, and home health aides.
In 1992, Johnna embarked on her own to create Johnna Bowen & Associates, a Medicare certified homecare agency for acute, medical needs in central Maine.
In 1993, she developed a second company, Assistance Plus, offering personal care with nursing oversight for clients with long-term needs.
To assure quality services, Assistance Plus was licensed by DHHS of Maine as a home care agency in 1993.
In 1998, a national home care firm purchased Johnna Bowen & Associates, at which point she refocused her efforts into diversifying and growing Assistance Plus.
Through the turn of the century, Assistance Plus began offering behavioral health and developmental services to include case management, intellectual/developmental disability supports, and behavioral services for children and adults. In 2004, Assistance Plus was granted licensure to provide behavioral health services and since then, it has continued to provide quality in-home care and behavioral health services in the region.
Johnna and her daughter, Jillian Jolicoeur, RN, MBA, who joined the organization over 30 years ago, have worked together for several years to ensure that the invaluable services the agency provides are available, accessible, compliant, and of high quality.
Today the agency offers in-home care, behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability supports, and substance use treatment services to clients in over 107 towns in Maine with a staff of over 260.
Services include:
- In-Home Care and Companionship by Personal Support Specialists
- Behavioral Health Home for Children and Children’s Targeted Case Management Services
- Behavioral Health Home and Community Integration for Adults
- Daily Living Support and Certified Intentional Support for people with mental health challenges
- Intellectual and Developmental Disability Home-Based and Center-Based Membership Supports
Mission / Vision / Values
Mission
To support and care for people at all points in life, together we can make a difference.
Vision
Maine ~ where individuals in need receive services that support choices for a quality life.
Values
Commitment | Integrity | Compassion
Commitment: Dedicated to providing quality services and supporting individuals.
Integrity: Maintaining honesty, ethical conduct, and transparency in all interactions.
Compassion: Showing empathy and care for individuals in need.
Meet The Team
Executive Team
Johnna Bowen,
President, Owner
Jillian Jolicoeur, RN, BSN, MHA, CEO, Owner
Natalie Childs,
MBA, MHRT-C
Director of Behavioral Health and Information Technology
Stacey Mannke,
MBA, SHRM-CP
Director of Human Resources and Marketing
Scott Pons
Chief Financial Officer
Management Team
Deanne Ochoa-Durrell,
LCSW, CCS
Clinical Director
Colleen Drake, MHRT-C
Care Coordinator Program Manager
Keri Devlin, MHRT-C
In Home & Community Support Program Manager
Scott Noyes
IT Manager
Human Resources, Marketing, and Administration
Jenn Smith
HR Team Leader
Amanda McDonald
HR Generalist II, Recruiter
Indiana Reed, SHRM-CP, PHR
Benefits Administrator
Ana Maria Campos,
MFA, MS
Marketing Executive
VACANT
Content Specialist
Susan Saucier
BH Admin Team Leader
Clinical Team and Medication Management
Angie Shahmoradi,
LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
In-Home Care & Companionship
Kimberly Sylvester
Regional Supervisor
Brianna Riley
Regional Supervisor
Heather Bailey
Regional Supervisor
Adult and Children’s Care Coordination
Petra Sullivan, MHRT/C
Adult Care Coordinator
Team Leader
Erin Ketcham
Children’s Care Coordinator
Team Leader
Jenny Maroney
Adult Care Coordinator
Team Leader
Daily Living Support Program
Joseph Ramsdell, MHRT-C
DLS Supervisor
Kathleen Cypher, MHRT/C, MHRT/1
DLS Supervisor
Amanda Pease, MHRT/C, MHRT/1
DLS Supervisor
Audrey Coffin, MHRT/C, MHRT/1
DLS Supervisor
Rebecca Borman, MHRT-C, MHRT-1
DLS Supervisor
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Support Program
Ryan Thompson
Community Support Program Coordinator
Tiffany Raymond
DSP Team Leader
Shared Living Coordinator
Judith Mann
DSP Supervisor
Home-Based Supports
Charitable Giving & Employee Volunteerism
Overview
Assistance Plus is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations in the communities we serve whose missions parallel the work that we do every day in support of children, the elderly, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, diagnosed mental illness, and/or substance use disorder.
We currently support Maine Children’s Home, Bridging the Gap, Waterville Soup Kitchen, Winslow Community Food Cupboard, Recovery initiatives in Kennebec and Franklin County, Waterville Elks, Waterville Sunrise Rotary, and Pine Tree Camps.
Focus Area
The Assistance Plus Charitable Giving committee meets each quarter to identify organizations that best represent our shared community goals to provide resources to community members struggling to meet fundamental needs due to age and/or ability.
This might be in the form of fuel assistance, winter clothing for children, food assistance, and/or community connection for those struggling with substance use disorder and those with intellectual/developmental disabilities. We do not currently support organizations providing housing and shelter.
Eligibility
To qualify for donation, organizations must be a U.S. 501(c)(3) entity, serve people in Maine, and have a mission aligned to the focus areas above.
Restrictions
Assistance Plus does not support political or lobbying organizations, even if they have 501(c)(3) status.
Employee-Driven Philanthropy
Fall Essentials Harvest
Every fall, Assistance Plus staff lead an internal Fall Essentials Harvest on behalf of their clients in need. This drive began as an internal drive, but community members are invited to drop off essentials (toothpaste/toothbrushes, soap, cleaning supplies, toilet paper/tissues, body lotion, garbage bags, shampoo, conditioner) at the boxes at our Benton, Winslow, Waterville, and Wilton offices from early October to Mid-November.
Maine Children’s Home Christmas in July & Gift Box Packing for Children
Every July, Assistance Plus serves as a gift drive location for the Maine Children’s Home Christmas in July Campaign. The drive aims to prepare their Winter Essentials Program for a successful season of giving. During this month-long campaign, members of the public can donate unused items for care packages to be distributed during the winter months to children and teens of families facing financial hardship. Community members are invited to drop off requested items (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, coloring books, LEGO sets, STEM kits, etc.) at the boxes at our Benton, Winslow, Waterville, and Wilton locations throughout July.
Request Guidelines
Assistance Plus staff, community members, and nonprofits are invited to submit their recommendations for charitable giving by the following deadlines:
Deadlines for Requests:
- November 30th for January to March donations.
- February 28th for April to June donations.
- May 30th for gifts for July to September donations.
- August 30th for October to December donations..
Requests can be submitted here.
Compliancy Documentation
Assistance Plus is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive environment. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we think. Each of us contributes to inclusion – we all have a role to play.
Code of Conduct
False Claims
Grievance Process