Vietnam Veterans of America changes membership price

Vietnam Veterans of America has changed its price for a lifetime membership. The national board of directors has voted to implement a $100 lifetime membership, retroactive to Jan. 1, said Joe Armstrong, president of VVA 1044. For more information or an application, contact Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 at president@vva1044maine.org or call 490-2094.

UNE School of Social Work earns award for top master’s program

The University of New England’s School of Social Work was recently recognized for offering one of the top master in social work online programs in the nation by Go Grad, an online platform where aspiring graduate students of all ages, backgrounds and specialties can get the information they need to make knowledgeable decisions about their education.

Ranked schools were evaluated based on the number of online graduate degrees available in the related subject area, graduate tuition, availability of academic and career counseling services, and availability of job placement services.

“We wanted to feature the schools that are pursuing excellence in a field responsible for making a difference in the lives of others,” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and founder of Go Grad. “These universities are safeguarding an industry that is expected to develop 19 percent by 2022.”

The UNE Master of Social Work Online program is part of the Westbrook College of Health Professions. It is managed by Shelley Cohen Konrad, interim director of the School of Social Work, and Cynthia Amato, associate director for online education.

“We are proud that our MSW online program has received this recognition. It speaks to the commitment of our students, faculty and staff to provide quality graduate education,” said Amato. “The MSW online program enrolls student from all over the country and internationally, which means that our graduates are prepared to provide an advanced level of social practice to vulnerable populations across the U.S. and globally.”

Law firm focusing on senior issues opens in Kennebunk

KENNEBUNK — Maine Center for Elder Law LLC opens a new branch office in York this month.

“Opening an office in York provides current and prospective clients from the southernmost towns of York County, seacoast New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts with a more convenient location to meet,” attorney Martin Womer said. “We don’t practice New Hampshire or Massachusetts law, but many of our clients are adult children who live in nearby states, while their parents live in Maine.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau via BangorDailyNews.com, Maine has the distinction of having the oldest population in the nation, and continues growing older at one of the fastest rates in the country. Maine Center for Elder Law attorneys Martin C. Womer, Barbara S. Schlichtman and Britton Ryan Garon work closely with seniors and their families to provide a customized approach to estate planning.

“Much of the firm’s practice is devoted to educating our clients about the importance of planning for both the expected and unexpected situations that come with living longer, especially with the astronomical costs of long term care,” attorney Womer said.

The new office will be at 4 Market Place Drive, Route 1 in York, just 1.5 miles south from the York exit of the Maine Turnpike. Attorney Britton Garon, who lives in York, will be the primary attorney based in the York office. “It’s important to have the flexibility to meet clients close to where they or their aging loved ones reside,” member attorney Schlichtman said.

Maine Center for Elder Law was founded by Martin C. Womer in 2007. The firm’s main office is in Kennebunk, and a second location was opened in Portland in 2014 to serve the firm’s growing client base in Cumberland County.

For more information, visit www.mainecenterforelderlaw.com or call 467-3301.