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Barnstable County Human Services 
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In This Issue
Department's Corner
Transition from Combat to Home
Harwich Human Service Grants
The Path to Global Peace
Earned Income Tax Credit
Family Pantry Seeks Volunteers
Pediatric Lecture Series
Affordable Housing Opportunities
Bon-Profit Seeks New Board Members
NAMI Golf Tournament
MASS 2-1-1
Veterans Crisis Hotline
Healthy Connected Cape Cod
Samaritans Survivor Support Group
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ISSUE: 56

February 27, 2012 

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. _____________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT'S CORNER

State and local officials gathered on February 17 at the Barnstable Complex to launch a Community Transformation Grant Projects.  Barnstable joins 48 other municipalities in Massachusetts to participate in Mass in Motion, a Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program. Through unique partnerships and cross-department collaboration, Barnstable County communities will work to develop and implement prevention based policies, systems and strategies to encourage healthy eating and active living to help reduce obesity.  The work will be led by Barnstable County Department of Human Services and funded by a Community Transformation Grant awarded to Massachusetts Department of Public Health by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  Read more ......

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BATTLEMIND ~ TRANSITIONING FROM COMBAT TO HOME

The "military mindset" of a service member is oftentimes not easily understood by their civilian counterparts.  Understanding the reintegration process of a returned service member is often difficult without understanding the transition they are making from soldier to civilian.

 

Kevin Lambert of the Massachusetts Dept. of Veterans services presents B.A.T.T.L.E.M.I.N.D, a workshop that will provide a better understanding of the psychological and social stressors endured by service members both during deployment and upon returning home.  Workshop is scheduled for March 28, 2012 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Hyannis Transportation Center Conference Room, 215 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis.  This event is sponsored by the Cape & Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition and is FREE and open to the public. Read more ...

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TOWN OF HARWICH HUMAN SERVICE GRANTS RFP

The Town of Harwich Human Service Grants Program is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2013.  The goal of the Harwich Human Service Grants program is to assist non-profit agencies in their efforts to support the residents of the Town of Harwich through vital human service programming.  The program is managed by the Barnstable County Resource Development Office.

 

If you are a previous recipient of Harwich Human Services funding, you still must apply to this program to be eligible to receive funding in the coming fiscal year.  In Fiscal Year 2013, a total of $76,500 is anticipated to be available to support these efforts - subject to town meeting approval. Historically, grants have ranged from $1,000 to $15,000. The due date for applications is March 16th, 2012.Read more ...

 

Applications are available at: http://www.barnstablecountyrdo.org/topics/harwichFor questions or to have an application emailed to you contact Rebecca Wolfson at rwolfson@barnstablecounty.org or 508-375-6864. 

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THE PATH TO GLOBAL PEACE

Join the Cape Cod branch of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom to hear an inspiring leader share her vision for using human rights law as a vehicle for international change.  Madeline Rees, Secretary General of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Geneva presents a discussion and reception "Human Rights, Women's Rights: The Path to Global Peace on Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 3:00 PM at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth.  Sliding scale contribution of $5.00 - $20.00 will benefit the Margaret Moseley Peace Education Fund.

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EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

Individuals and families that earned  less than $49,078 in 2011  may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $5,751 this year!  The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, provides tax credits to working adults and families with low or moderate incomes.  People  may be eligible for this tax credit even if they receive government benefits like Social Security or unemployment benefits, or other income like child support or alimony, since these are not considered to be earned income.  About 1 in 4 people who are eligible for the EITC fail to claim it every year, leaving nearly $13 billion dollars unclaimed!  

 

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.  Read more ...

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THE FAMILY PANTRY OF CAPE COD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod is seeking volunteers on Mondays and Saturdays to help in efforts to provide food and clothing to those in need throughout Cape Cod.  Four (4) warehouse volunteer positions available on Mondays and several volunteer positions open on Saturdays to meet the increased demand for services.  Please contact Patty Watson, Assistant Director at 508/432-6519 or pwatson@thefamilypantry.com.

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PEDIATRIC LECTURE SERIES

As part of an annual focus on pediatric rehabilitation, Spaulding Outpatient Center for Children offers 5th Annual Pediatric Lecture Series "Mondays in March".  For three weeks in March, Spaulding clinicians will provide free educational lectures for the public, specifically designed for parents, health professionals and educators of young children.  Lectures begin at 7:00 pm at Spaulding, Heritage Park, Route 130 in Sandwich.  Read more ...  Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES - PROVINCETOWN

Province Landing:  Fifty (50) year-round mix-income permanent rental units, have been built at 90 Shank Painter Rd. in Provincetown and are available to the general public.  1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are available.  The project addresses a growing need for housing that is accessible to both financially challenged and physically disabled households.  Applications are due by March 12, 2012.  For an application call 508/487-9087 or email planding@tcbinc.org.  Completed applications must be mailed to Province Landing, P.O. Box 243, Provincetown, MA  02657. 

 

Year Round Affordable Rental Housing (13 one and two-room efficiency apartments including 2 ADA compliant units) available at 83 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown.  This is a non-smoking residence with a household size of 1 or 2 persons only.  For information and applications contact Community Housing Resources, Inc. at 508/487-2426.

NON-PROFIT SEEKS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Thrive @ CIGSYA (Cape & Islands Gay and Straight Youth Alliance) is seeking candidates interested in joining the non-profit organization's Board of Directors.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity are encouraged to contact Board Chair Michael Medeiros via e-mail to capeteacher@hotmail.com for more info.

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NAMI CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS GOLF TOURNAMENT

SAVE THE DATE:  NAMI Cape Cod & The Islands Golf Tournament, sponsored by RP Properties will be held this year at the Oyster Harbor Golf Club! "Wow "what a great opportunity to play at a great golf course. The date this year is September 17th 2012

With your past help we at NAMI have been able to assist families that have loved ones with a mental illness.

 

NAMI = National Alliance on Mental Illness

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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 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.  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.
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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.