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ISSUE: 48 |
November 5, 2011 | |
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 kcallahan@barnstablecounty.org. Sincerely,
Elizabeth Albert, Director Barnstable County Department of Human Services _____________________________________________________________________________ |
MASS 2-1-1 RESOURCE LOCATOR | |
Is your organization listed on 2-1-1? If not, take some time and list it today!
- Do you provide health or human services on Cape Cod or the Islands?
- Does the public know what services you provide?
- Do people know how to access your services?
- Do you need assistance in finding services for your clients?
~ Is your organization listed on Mass 2-1-1? If not, let us know.
~ Not sure how to use 2-1-1? It's easy - call us for free training.
~ Want to learn how to create your own directory of resources?
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 a project supported by the Barnstable County Department of Human Services in partnership with the Cape & Islands United Way.
For more information contact the Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services at kcallahan@barnstablecounty.org or call 508/375-6626 or ronniegullette@comcast.net or call 508/277-3008. To locate services dial 211 or 1-877-211-MASS on your telephone or go to www.mass211help.org________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
IDENTIFYING HOLIDAY PROGRAMS | |
Mass 2-1-1 would like to identify holiday programs to list on their site. If you know of any programs (Thanksgiving baskets, meals programs, Christmas food baskets, meals, gifts) please forward information to Ronnie Gullette at ronniegullette@comcast.net.
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MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT | |
Medicare's Open Enrollment period is October 15 - December 7, 2011. Medicare beneficiaries may contact any Senior Center in Barnstable County to reach a certified SHINE Counselor who can provide information as to an individual's best plan options for 2012. The SHINE Program provides free, unbiased and confidential assistance for seniors and disabled adults. Assistance can be provided over the telephone or in person. While Open Enrollment is the best time of year to review plans, many people who connect with a SHINE Counselor learn that they can improve their coverage and/or reduce their costs at other times of the year as well, so it is important to contact SHINE even if it is after December 7th. SHINE Counselors are knowledgeable about special enrollment opportunities and public assistance programs available throughout the year. The Regional SHINE Office for the Cape and Islands is located in West Yarmouth and may be reached at 508/394-9326.
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BARNSTABLE COUNTY ANNOUNCES $300,000 STATE GRANT TO PROMOTE WELLNESS | |
The Barnstable County Department of Human Services announced they are a recipient of a Department of Public Health Mass In Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership grant of $300,000. As a grant recipient the County will receive $60,000 per year for five years to promote wellness in Barnstable County. Mass In Motion supports prevention based approaches to improving health and wellness in communities through implementation of policies, systems and environment strategies to increae access to healthy eating and active living. For the full announcement click here.
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BARNSTABLE COUNTY ANNOUNCES NEW COORDINATOR FOR THE REGIONAL NETWORK TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS | |
The Barnstable County Department of Human Services is pleased to announce that Paula Schnepp has been named as the Coordinator for the Regional Network to Address Homelessness. Ms. Schnepp will act as a consultant to the County in her role as the Network Coordinator and will work closely with the Executive Committee of the Network. Barnstable County, as the convening agency for the Regional network, has provided funding for this position through the Department of Human Services. The Network promotes a coordinated regional approach to homelessness prevention and works to strengthen collaborations among all entities involved in the issue of homelessness. For the complete announcement Click Here.
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TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE SYMPOSIUM | |
Do your clients resist help? Are traditional support tools ineffective with your most complex clients? Do you want to improve the outcomes for your clients and the community? Join your colleagues for: A Leadership Symposium on Transforming the Community through Trauma Informed Care, on Tuesday,November 8th from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Corpus Christi Parish Center, 324 Quaker Meeting House Rd., Sandwich. Click here for details.
This symposium, presented by Duffy Health Center, is for social workers, case managers, clinicians, housing workers, educators, faith community staff, doctors and others who serve adults and children in crisis. Contact Linda Rees for more information or to register at lrees@duffyhealthcenter.org or 508/771-7517.
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EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT TRAINING | |
Offered by Cape Cod Volunteers, this two-part volunteer management training will take an organization from assessing its volunteer needs, to identifying and developing essential components of building or strengthening its volunteer program, to putting a plan in place for recruiting and retaining volunteers. The workshops will be held on Tuesdays, November 8th & 15th, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple St., Mashpee. Follow up assistance is also available in the form of 4 hours of free consulting time by the trainers! For more information or to register Click Here. For questions contact Lisa McNeill at 508/362-0242 or email at info@ccvolunteers.org
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NEWS FROM ALZHEIMER'S SERVICES OF CC&I | |
- Teepa Snow, National Alzheimer's Education trainer, returns with another amazing presentation on End of Life Care & Pain Management. 14th Annual Alzheimer's Services Conference will be held on November 11, 2011 from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM at Christ the King Church, Mashpee. For more information contact Tara at 508/775-5656 or tcooke@alzcapecod.org. Register Today!
- National Memory Screening Day, in recognition of National Alzheimer's disease Awareness Month and national Memory Screening Day scheduled for November 15, 2011 at thirteen locations across the Cape. FREE memory screenings are advisable for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia, or anyone who believes they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer's disease or related illness. For location sites and more information Click Here or call 508/775-5656.
- Candle Lighting Ceremony to pay tribute to individuals and their families affected by Alzheimer's Disease will be held November 17th, hosted by the Dennis Inn, Dennis, MA at 4:30 PM. For more information about this ceremony call or email Tara at 508/775-5656 or Tcooke@alzcapecod.org
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MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE | |
MPHA's Annual Meeting and Conference is scheduled for Friday, November 18, 2011 from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, MA. Conference will address the unprecedented funding challenges facing public health today and the emerging opportunities for funding a strong 21st century public health system. Will also feature a panel discussion about public health funding in the Commonwealth. Conference Registration ___________________________________________________________________ |
INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE SURVIVOR'S DAY | |
36,000 people in the United States due by suicide each year ... the devastated family and friends they leave behind are known as "survivors". There are millions of survivors who are trying to cope with the heartbreaking loss.
Survivors of suicide loss gather at hundreds of simultaneous healing conferences around the world every year on International Survivors of Suicide Day on November 19, 2011. Gathering will be held on Cape Cod on November 19th, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM at Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition/CIGSYA building, 56 Barnstable Rd., Hyannis. For more information or to register contact Maura Weir at mweir@chcofcapecod.org or Jessica at the Samaritans at 508/548-8900.
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IT DOES GET BETTER - A COMMUNITY WALK | |
Remembering those we've lost to suicide and addiction. Walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 19th. Gather at CIGSYA, 56 Barnstable Rd., Hyannis at 4:30 PM and walk to the Hyannis Village Green. Enjoy speakers and hot chocolate. For more details click here for flyer or call 508/778-7744.
Hosted by CIGSYA - the Cape and Island's Gay Straight Youth Alliance and the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Project in partnership with the Freedom From Addiction Network, Harwich Youth Services, The Community Youth Project of Sandwich, Barnstable No Place For Hate, The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition and other community partners.
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SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR GATEKEEPERS OF OLDER ADULTS | |
SAVE THE DATE: December 6, 2011
The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands will be presenting Suicide Prevention Training for Gatekeepers of Older Adults. Training designed for professionals and others working with older adults. Registration information will be coming soon! Attendance is limited to 20 people and will be on a "first come - first served" basis so be sure to get registrations in soon after receiving them.
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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY | |
Join the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission celebration of International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2011, 9:30 - 11:30 AM at the Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis. Cornerstone & Rosenthal awards will be presented for human rights work on Cape Cod. Click Here for more information.
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PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY | |
State Health Officials warn residents of carbon monoxide and electrical hazards following a winter storm. The operation of gasoline, oil, or other combustible fuel electrical generators produces carbon monoxide which poses an extreme health hazard if used indoors without proper ventilation. The use of gas stoves and charcoal as a heat source is not recommended since both also produce carbon monoxide that is not vented properly outdoors. For the full advisory report Click Here.
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HEALTH STATUS DISPARITIES | |
October 31, 2011 - Secretary Sebelius: New Standards for data collection to better understand why disparities occur.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released final standards to more consistently measure race, ethnicity, sex, primary language and disability status, hereby improving the ability to highlight disparities in health status and target interventions to reduce these disparities. Click Here for the full press release.
For more information on the final data standards, visit www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/section4302
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TRAUMA INFORMED CARE GUIDE | |
Department of Labor Releases "Trauma-Informed Care" Guide for Working with Homeless Women Veterans. The Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, has released "Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers," which offers resources for working with a population with a significant past exposure to trauma. Many women veterans experienced physical or sexual abuse as children and sexual or physical assault, including domestic violence, as adults. Many of these veterans also experienced military sexual trauma, a term encompassing both sexual harassment and assault while in the military. These histories of trauma, coupled with added stressors related to military deployment, create significant service needs among homeless women veterans. The resource includes a user guide on trauma-informed care, which includes promoting safety, ensuring cultural competence, supporting women veterans' choice and autonomy, integrating care, and promoting recovery. It also includes an organizational self-assessment for providers, as well as resource lists. Download the Trauma Guide at http://www.dol.gov/wb/trauma/WBTraumaGuide2011.pdf
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HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 | |
Healthy People 2020 leading health indicators just released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Please distribute widely.
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VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE | |
The VA has rebranded the National Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline to what is now called Veterans Crisis Line. The purpose of the change is to shift the emphasis from "suicide" to "crisis" for Veterans and their families to make that critical first call for help. The Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, Press 1) is available 24/7/365 to provide confidential counseling and referrals for Veterans and their families. This is an integrated national outreach effort to increase awareness and use of the Veterans Crisis Line, support and promote broader VA suicide prevention efforts, and promote help-seeking behaviors among Veterans at risk of suicide and other mental health problems.
For more information about the Veterans Crisis Line please click here.
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HEALTHY CONNECTED CAPE COD | | The "Healthy Connected Cape Cod" project promotes opportunities to access good, nutritious food and to share the abundance of this food with neighbors and friends.
Goals: - Support existing programs and practices that encourage happy and healthy eating
- Increase awareness of and participation in food-centered activities
- Increase healthy food options at all Cape Cod food pantries
- Promote community-driven advocacy and public education around healthy and happy eating.
To learn more visit http://www.bchumanservices.net/ or contact Beth Albert at Tel: 508/375-6626 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
SAMARITAN SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUPS | | Over 800,000 people worldwide end their lives annually. Seven to ten people -- parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren and close friends -- deeply feel the devastation of each loss. That means that approximately 5 million "survivors" are left behind every year.
Samaritans has expanded the number of sites on the Cape & Islands for their survivor support groups including Falmouth, Hyannis and Nantucket. These groups honor and respect the needs of the survivors, provide unconditional emotional support, help survivors gain courage and comfort from one another, and deal with a unique grief that is often not understood by others.
For more information contact the Samaritans office at Tel: 508/548-7999 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS HOTLINE | | Serving individuals & families in the communities of Barnstable County, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Staffed by trained homelesness prevention advocates. Immediate local emergency housing, food and transportation available. Referral to the right resources for assistance, assessment and on-going support.
If you or someone you know, are in crisis and have no place to stay tonight, call the Crisis Hotline at 1-888-656-2233 to connect with an experienced advocate who can arrange local overnight emergency housing until the next business day. You will meet with an advocate the following day to help you access available resources and supportive services.
The crisis hotline is a regional innovation pilot project funded by a grant to CACCI by Barnstable County through the Cape & Islands Regional Network to End Homelessness from the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness.
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E-NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS | | To submit materials, please include the following information:
- Descriptive 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)
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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.
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