logo

Barnstable County Human Services 
   E-Newsletter
In This Issue
Suicide Prevention Community Forum
Health Speak Conference
Parent & Child Activities
YMCA Cape Cod Spring Sports
Diversity/Communication Workshop
CCICSW Forum
Massachusetts Mentor Open House
Youth Suicide Prevention Forum
Independence House News
Women's Health Week
Suicide Prevention Resources
Maria Talks
Coalition for Children
Additional Fuel Assistance Funding
Free Tax Help
New Winter Market
DPH Community Corner
MASS 2-1-1
E-Newsletter Article Submissions
Quick Links
 
Mass 211 logo
 
 
 
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
ISSUE: 4

MARCH 5, 2010

Greetings!

Welcome to the information E-Newsletter from Barnstable County Department of Human Services.  This newsletter is designed to provide timely information on health and human service topics of interest for people living and working in Barnstable County. This publication will be sent out periodically to our mailing list.  Please forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues and if you are not on our mailing list you can join by clicking on the JOIN THE MAILING LIST button below.
 
If you have information you would like included in future e-newsletters, please follow the submission requirements outlined at the bottom of the page and email to [email protected]
 
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Albert, Director
Barnstable County Department of Human Services
_____________________________________________________________________________
SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION COMMUNITY FORUM
The Cape & Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition is hosting a community discussion on suicide awareness and prevention.  The forum will feature keynote speaker Brent Runyon, author of "The Burn Journals", a memoir of suicide survival.  Discussion panel will be followed by Q&A.  Light refreshments will be served. 
 
DATE:  Monday, March 15, 2010 from 6 - 8 PM
LOCATION:  Coonamessett Inn, Gifford St., Falmouth
 
Please RSVP to Kathie Callahan, Dept. of Human Services at Tel: 508/375-6628 or email: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"HEALTH SPEAK" CAPE COD
If you're a professional in health or human services you don't want to miss "HEALTH SPEAK"  Cape Cod.  Learn new communication skills and interacting with your health and human services community.
 
Friday, April 9, 2010, 8 AM to 4 PM on the campus of Cape Cod Community College
 
Sponsored by Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services, CHNA 27, Caregiver Homes, Community Connections, Duffy Health Center, Geek Girls, Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, Mass 2-1-1, Power in Aging, and Suffolk University.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
GREAT PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES
The Early Childhood Council for Barnstable Families is offering the following programs & events for parents/guardians with children ages birth through 6 years:
 
*Spring is Here - 3/9/10, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Centerville Recreation Center
*Birds - 4/6/10, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Hyannis Library
*Fun with Math - 4/13/10, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Hyannis Library
Spring Fling Family Event - 5/1/10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Hyannis West Elementary School
*Gymport Visit - 5/8/10, 10 - 11:00 am, Gymport Kidz in Yarmouth
*Healthy Smiles - 6/1/10, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Hyannis Library
*Big Ryan Storyteller - 6/5/10, 10 - 11:30 am, West Barnstable Community Center
Alphabet rockers - 6/23/10, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Osterville Library
 
* Denotes registration required.  All programs are free and are funded through a grant from the MA Dept. of Eaarly Education administered by Cape Cod Child Development.  To register call Tel: 508/775-6240 X512.  For more information about these and other programs visit the website at www.cccdp.org
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YMCA CAPE COD SPRING SPORTS
YMCA Spring Sports: T-Ball, Coach Pitch Baseball, Flag Football and Soccer.  Registrations are on-going through March 17th, for boys and girls ages 4-11 yrs.  These non-competitive sports leagues focus on team building, skill development and good sportsmanship.  Games & practice sessions are held at either Camp Lyndon or in Marstons Mills.  Season runs April 10 - May 29.  Registration fee is $50.00 for YMCA Cape Cod family members, $60.00 for members, and $70.00 for non-members.
 
For more information contact Val Dumais, YMCA Cape Cod Youth Sports Coordinator at Tel: 508/428-9251 x202.  Sports brochure is also available online at www.ymcacapecod.org
 
YMCA ... We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DIVERSITY/COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
Workshop for teachers, administrators, support specialists and anyone who supports children and families who may have questions about issues such as families with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, child gender issues, children teasing children and more.  This will be an interactive fun evening that will respectfully tackle questions and concerns.
 
DATE:         Thursday, March 25, 2010
LOCATION:   Coonamesset Inn, 311 Gifford St., Falmouth
TIME:          5 - 5:45 pm - Appetizers, dinner & Networking
                  6 - 8:00  pm Interactive Communication Workshop
FEE:            $10.00
 
* Teachers will receive 3.5 training hours.  Sponsored by the Coalition for Children.  For more information or to register call Telephone: 508/548-0151 X172
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
CCICSW FORUM
Cape Cod & Islands Commission on the Status of Women, in honor of Women's History Month, presents a Discussion ~
"Looking Forward: Cape Cod & Islands Women in the 21st Century".
 
DATE:        Tuesday, March 30, 2010
TIME:         6:00 - 8:30 PM
LOCATION:  Upper Commons, Cape Cod Community College
 
Please attend to let the Commission know about issues that are important to you, your children, your family and your community in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties.  Open to the Public.  Oral and written testimony/comments will be accepted.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MASSACHUSETTS MENTOR
OPEN HOUSE
 
This is a good opportunity to learn more about our program, talk with our team of professional staff, and find out how rewarding a Mentoring relationship can be.  If you've ever wondered about MENTOR FOSTER CARE, this is your chance!
 
DATE:          Thursday, April 8, 2010
TIME:           11 AM to 7 PM
LOCATION:    40 North Street, Hyannis
 
Let us know you're coming!  For more information or directions call Marion at Tel: 508/862-2639 X28
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION: A COMMUNITY APPROACH
Local Officials Human Services Council (LOHSC) is sponsoring this Community Forum hosted by Falmouth & Nantucket Human Services.  Event will include an overview of the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention Program, QPR training - Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention, and presentation on the Cape Cod Suicide Prevention Project.
 
DATE:         April 9, 2010
TIME:          9:30 am TO 2:00 pm
LOCATION:   Coonamessett Inn, 311 Gifford St., Falmouth
COST:         LOHSC members  - $25           Non-members - $35
                  Fee includes continental breakfast and lunch
 
Pre-registration by April 2, 2010.  For registration and information contact Robert Cammarata by Tel: 508/821-1420 or email: [email protected]  Make checks payable to L.O.H.S.C., Inc.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
INDEPENDENCE HOUSE NEWS
Independence House is the only comprehensive community based resource on Cape Cod providing free and confidential services for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.  They help individuals re-establish lives free of fear and violence with a philosophy of empowerment and self-help.  To view their March e-newsletter Click here or visit their website at www.independencehouse.com
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK
The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services will celebrate National Women's Health Week on May 9 - 15, 2010.  The week is a national effort led by an alliance of organizations to raise awareness about simple steps that women can take to improve their health and helps underserved women gain access to important preventative health care services.  For the online activity registry of events or to add your event click on http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
The Role of Faith Communities in Preventing Suicide:  A Report of an Interfaith Suicide Prevention Dialogue.
Dialogue by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.  To view the report Click Here
 
Best Practices Registry (BPR) for Suicide Prevention.  Purpose of the BPR is to identify, review, and disseminate information about best practices and address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
To view the registry Click Here
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
MARIA TALKS
From DPH:  Maria Talks, the Statewide Sexual Health Hotline and Website for Teens has now expanded its reach through an email newsletter.  To view the newsletter Click Here
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COALITION FOR CHILDREN
The Upper Cape Family Network and Young Children First have merged into The Coalition for Children.
 
View their new website and read their newsletter at www.thecoalitionforchildren.org for information on programs, events, classes.  Parents and educators from any community are welcome to attend workshops in each of the four Upper Cape towns.  Space is limited in some, especially in our parenting workshops, so please make sure you call to register.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HIGHER BENEFIT LEVELS FOR LOW-INCOME FUEL ASSISTANCE
PRESS RELEASE: February 1, 2010 ~ Official Announcement from the Patrick/Murray administration
 
Governor Patrick announced that President Barack Obama has ordered $490 million in emergency funds nationwide through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help serve more income eligible families and increase their maximum benefit levels.  LIHEAP is a U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services program that is administered in Massachusetts by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), a network of 22 local administering agencies.  LIHEAP information is available on the state's Cold Relief Heatline at 1-800-632-8175 or www.mass.gov/dchd ____________________________________________________________________________________________
LOW INCOME WORKERS GET FREE TAX PREPARATION
Starts February 1st - Evenings, Daytime, and Weekend hours by Appointment Only at CACCI
 
In partnership with the IRS, Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & the Islands (CACCI), under its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, will provide free 2009 federal and Mass state income tax preparation services including assistance to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Many eligible low-income workers are not taking advantage of the EITC which is a refundable federal income tax credit that can put up to $5,657 in their pockets this tax season!  Clients may also take advantage of CACCI's other Asset Development Programs to strengthen their financial situation.
 
For more information contact Mellisa Carney-Getzie, CACCI at Tel: 508/771-1727 or email: [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________________________
CAPE COD: BUY FRESH - BUY LOCAL
GRAND OPENING: Winter Market in Marstons Mills
 
1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Liberty Hall, 2150 Main Street, Marstons Mills 02648
 
For more information on BUY FRESH - BUY LOCAL and the new Winter Market go to www.buyfreshbuylocalcapecod.org 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
DPH COMMUNITY CORNER ON-LINE
Please visit DPH Community Corner www.mass.gov/dph/ohc for the lastest public health news.   We will provide weekly, statewide updates to strengthen capacity in communities across the Commonwealth.  There are many valuable resources, trainings, outreach and education opportunities available in Massachusetts.  We hope compiling this information in one place will help maximize these resources.   Questions, comments, submissions or suggestions, please contact Laura Innis, DPH Health Education and Outreach Coordinator at [email protected]  or 617-624-6021.    
_____________________________________________________________________________
MASS 2-1-1 RESOURCE LOCATOR
 
MASS 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral database and hotline for access to health and human services for consumers and providers.  Multi-lingual translations are also available.  The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has designated it as the official point of contact for receiving emergency information during a time of crisis.  MASS 2-1-1 is funded by 19 local chapters of the United Way, MEMA and the Executive Office of Health & Human services.  Locally the Barnstable County Department of Human Services in partnership with the Cape & Islands United Way are supporting and marketing MASS 2-1-1. 
 
For more information contact the Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services at 508/375-6630 or go to www.mass211help.org 
 
To locate services dial 211 on your telephone.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
 To submit materials, please include the following information:
  • Dscriptive Title
  • Brief Description of the Content (the who, what, why, when, where) 
  • Attachments must be submitted in PDF and text format (either DOC or RTF files are acceptable)
  • Weblink or Hyperlink if available 
  • Contact information of the person submitting the information and if appropriate, the contact person for the event (include name, address, phone, TTY, email)
______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Barnstable County Seal

Posting of articles submitted for publication in the Barnstable County Human Services Newsletter is at the discretion of the Department.  All articles must be submitted in text format to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  To request this newsletter in alternate formats, please call Kathie at 508-375-6628 or TDD at 508-362-5885.