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Barnstable County Human Services 
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In This Issue
Holiday Programs
CCHC Conducts Health Needs Assessment Telephone Survey
7-1-1 Relay Calling
Yoga & the 12-steps of Recovery
2011 Holiday Impaired Driving Crackdown
COMM Fire Dept Toys for Tots Collection
National Volunteeer Week Grant Opportunity
NAMI C&I Annual Christmas Gift Wrap
LGBT & ALLY Youth Leadership Conference
Bourne Guide to Services & Resources
NAMI C&I Support Groups
M.A.T.C.H. Program
COAST Launches Website
The Giving Season
Surviving Not Driving
MASS 2-1-1
Veterans Crisis Hotline
Healthy Connected Cape Cod
Samaritans Survivor Support Group
Homelessness Crisis Hotline
E-Newsletter Article Submissions
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ISSUE: 50

December 2, 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
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IDENTIFYING HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Mass 2-1-1 would like to identify holiday programs to list on their site.  If you know of any programs (meals programs, Holiday food baskets, gift giving programs, etc.) please forward information to Ronnie Gullette at ronniegullette@comcast.net.

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CAPE COD HEALTHCARE TO CONDUCT HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

Cape Cod Healthcare will begin a telephone survey beginning Monday, December 5th.  This survey is an integral part of a comprehensive Needs Assessment Study conducted once every three years by Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital.  Results of this survey will be combined with input from expert focus groups and existing federal, state and local health data.  The findings of the study will drive the CCHC Community Benefits planning and program implementation for fiscal years 2013-2015.  Read more .....

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7-1-1 RELAY CALLING

7-1-1 Relay (TRS) is a 24/7 service enabling hearing people or people who do not use a text telephone (TTY) to communicate over regular telephone lines with people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, late deafened, or speech disabled.  A Relay Operator (OPR) acts as the "link" between TTY text telephone users and standard telephone users.  When you make a relay call, the operator dials your party, and then stays on the line to relay your conversation. 

 

Some people hang up on TRS calls because they think the OPR is a telemarketer.  If you hear, "Hello.  This is the relay service ..." when you pick up the phone, please don't hang up!  You are about to talk, through a TRS provider, to a person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability.

 

Click here for 7-1-1 Relay Calling Tips.  Additional disability resources can be found on the Barnstable County Department of Human Services website.

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YOGA & THE 12-STEPS OF RECOVERY

Modeled from the meetings of 12-Step programs, Yoga of 12-Step Recovery is a group sharing circle followed or preceded by an intentional, themed yoga class.  Program begins with a 12-step meeting for all affected by addiction.  AA, NA, MA, OA, Al-Anon, Alateen, etc. are encouraged to attend.

 

Group meets the Third Tuesday of each month.  Location: Child and Family Services, 1019 Iyanough Rd. (Rte 132), Hyannis from 5 - 7:00 PM.  Donations accepted/18 years and older.  Wear comfortable workout clothes, bring water, and willingness to learn something new.  Will have yoga mats available, please bring your own if you have one.  The yoga class is designed for beginners.  Please pre-register at kdavies@cfservices.org or call Kristin Davies at 508/778-1839.  For further information, visit http://yogaof12steprecovery.com/

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2011 HOLIDAY IMPAIRED DRIVING CRACKDOWN

The 2011 December Impaired Driving enforcement crackdown runs December 16, 2011 - January 2,2012.  This holiday season, the enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over launches the Hispanic enforcement ad, Maneja Sobrio.  The media campaign will run for a 13 day period that reach primary audience of men ages 21-34.  Click here for more information on the traffic safety marketing campaign.

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COMM FIRE DEPARTMENT TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION

The Centerville, Osterville, Marstons Mills Fire Department will be hosting its annual Vist with Santa on December 10th from 12 - 3:00 PM at the Centerville Fire Department, 1875 Falmouth Rd. in Centerville.

 

Bring your family to meet Santa and pose for a free photo.  Refreshments will be served.  IAFF Local 2346 will be collecting unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program and appreciates all donations. 

 

For more information and questions contact COMM Fire Department at 508/790-2375 ext. 5

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NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Non-profit organizations and municipal agencies may be interested in this latest funding opportunity.  The Massachusetts Service Alliance is seeking to award grants up to $5,000 to support projects that engage volunteers to meet an identified community need during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2012.

 

These mini-grants represent a wonderful chance to expand service opportunities for people of all ages throughout Massachusetts and to celebrate the power of service as a strategy to meet community needs.

 

Click for more information and the RFPDeadline to apply is Monday, December 19th.

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NAMI CAPE COD & ISLANDS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT WRAP

Every year members donate warm winter clothing (such as sweatshirts, sweaters, bathrobes, jackets, gloves, hats, slippers, wallets, pocketbooks, or similar items from sizes medium to extra-large) to help brighten the holidays for those  Department of Mental Health (DMH) clients who are without families.  NAMI also accepts monetary donations which will be used to purchase needed items.  About 75 new gifts are provided to folks living in residences and they are much appreciated.

 

If you would like to help this year, please bring gifts or donations to NAMI Cape Cod & Islands office at 5 Mark Lane, Hyannis between the hours of 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Monday - Friday, BEFORE December 21st.  Gifts will be wrapped and delivered on Wednesday, December 21st.

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LGBT & ALLY YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES

THRIVE at CIGSYA is working in collaboration with other organizations around the state to collectively support five Regional LGBT & Ally Youth Leadership Conferences.  CIGSYA will be organizing and hosting a conference at the Unitarian Church of Barnstable on January 12, 2012 (snow date January 19, 2012).  This is a great opportunity for educators and students alike to come together for workshops and camaraderie in support of making our schools and communities safer for LGBT Youth.  Registration is required.  To register visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=1219.  Please distribute the attached flyer.

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BOURNE GUIDE TO SERVICES & RESOURCES

Bourne Human Services Committee is updating the Guide to Services and Resources available to Bourne residents.  If you are a provider of services to Bourne residents and would like to be included in the Guide, please forward the following information to Lois Carr a t lcarr@townofbourne.com and Barbara Thurston at bourneha@capecod.net:

  • Name of Agency
  • Address and Mailing Address (if different)
  • Telephone # and Toll Free Number (if applicable)
  • Fax Number
  • Email Address
  • Website
  • Description of Services
  • Restrictions & Fees (if any)

Questions can be directed to Lois Carr at 508/759-0653

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NAMI CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS SUPPORT GROUPS

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers local support groups for family and friends of people with mental illness.  Meeting dates and contacts can change.  Visit the website at www.nami.org/sites/capecod or call NAMI Cape Cod office at 508/778-4277, or email info@namicapecod.org for the  most up-to-date information.  Office hours:  Mon - Fri., 10 AM - 2 PM.

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MAKE A TEEN OR CHILD HAPPY (M.A.T.C.H.)

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands matches generous Cape and Islands residents with children of low income parents/caregivers to assure a special holiday awaits them.  If you decide to adopt a child or a whole family you will receive a list of clothing sizes for essential items such as a jacket, boots, sweater and one wished for gift and the age and sex.  Call 508/771/1727 to sign up and have a great time making wishes come true.  For questions contact Marlene Weir at CACCI at 508/771-1727 x134 or marlene.weir@cacci.cc

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COAST, COUNCILS ON AGING SERVING TOGETHER LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Please visit this great new website

  • It is set up like a bulletin board with sticky notes containing info, links, and videos.
  • Interesting ideas are posted as food for thought and possible collaborations
  • See any ideas here that spark your interest? or post one of your own using "submit"
  • Follow on Twitter.com/capecodcoast.  Like us on Facebook.
  • Subscribe with Google Reader or add to your Google Homepage via RSS feed.

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TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GIVING SEASON

The  holiday season is here and with it comes a flurry of activity.  Our personal To-Do lists grow and our work To-Do list gets longer as we support clients' needs, plan holiday celebrations and end-of year giving and budgeting.

 

There are many Cape Cod families who want to give the gift of time this holiday season.  Cape Cod Volunteers encourages you to reach out to them by posting your volunteer opportunities on CapeCodVolunteers.org
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SURVIVING NOT DRIVING: A TRANSPORTATION "HOW TO" GUIDE FOR OLDER AMERICANS

This Guide answers a crucial question for seniors/elders:  "How can I continue to get out and about after I retire from driving?".  The challenge is to support our residents in their "golden years" and helping them to maintain their quality of life is paramount.  Written for seniors by seniors and co-authored by Warren and Alice Smith, this updated and revised Second Edition is now available exclusively through their website at  http//www.SurvivingNotDriving.org  

For questions contact Warren Smith at 508/896-4724.

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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
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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 

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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
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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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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.