Sagadahoc County has its first community navigator to help residents navigate local, state and federal programs ranging from substance use disorder support to home heating assistance.

The community navigator points people toward government support services, such as food banks and heating assistance, and helps residents through the application process to get those services.

Much like a caseworker, the community navigator can help with referrals to health care and mental health services, as well as treatment services to address substance use disorders.

Mark Hymbaugh took on the community navigator position for Sagadahoc County on Aug. 25, after working the same position for Lincoln County. The three major resources people go to Hymbaugh for are housing, heat and electricity, and food.

“I am like a very hands-on, in-person 211 service,” Hymbaugh said. “When you are looking for any kind of resource or service, you call 211.”

Hymbaugh’s office is next to the Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency office at 752 High St. in Bath, but he can meet people outside of his office at places like the Bath Area Family YMCA or local libraries.

This year, the Sagadahoc County Commission approved the first round of funding from the opioid settlement funds to launch the community navigator position. Maine was awarded $230 million opioid settlement funds awarded to Maine as part of the $7.1 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, and about $100,000 went toward funding the Sagadahoc community navigator.

The Sagadahoc Board of Health also reached out to all its partners that were doing substance use prevention, intervention or treatment, looking for answers about what the priorities should be and to address any gaps, said Melissa Fochesato, chairperson of the board of health.

The community navigator attends meetings of local coalitions, including the Board of Health, the Bath Recovery Community Center and the Southern Midcoast Communities for Prevention. Hymbaugh’s goal is not only to serve residents but also to reach out to every town office, general assistance office, school counselor and first responders to make them aware that he’s available.

“I am not just handing phone numbers, I want to explain the program to someone and say, ‘This is how you can use it, this is how you access it, [or] I have seen this application before and you need to watch out for this,’” Hymbaugh said.

Residents can learn more about the community navigator by asking at their town office or by reaching out to Hymbaugh at (207) 443-8210 or mhymbaugh@sagadahocountyme.gov.