September 7, 2012 

In the United States, one person completes suicide every 16 minutes and suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in Massachusetts.  Suicide is a most tragic and disruptive event for families and communities.  It is estimated that there are 5 million survivors who have lost a loved one to suicide.  Suicide is a public health issue, it is a community problem and through education and awareness of the issue a great number of suicides can be prevented. The suicide rate on the Cape and Islands is 1.5 times higher than the State average.

On Wednesday, September 5, 2012 the Barnstable County Commissioners signed a proclamation officially designating the week of September 9 - 15, 2012 as "Suicide Prevention Week" in Barnstable County.  World Suicide Prevention day is September 10, 2012.  For a full list of Cape Cod & Islands Suicide Prevention upcoming events & trainings during the month of September click here.
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National Preparedness Month Brown Bag Lunch Series:  Lunchtime Information Session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 2012 from 12 Noon - 1:00 PM @ the Harborview Conference Room in the Barnstable County Complex.  The topic for this session is Lessons Learned from 9/11 with guest speaker Chrystal LaPine, Deputy Sheriff, Barnstable County Sheriff's Office and responder to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the WTC.

Session is FREE and all are welcome.  Bring your brown bag lunch - beverages & coffee provided.  Sponsored by Barnstable County.  For more information call 508/375-6908 or email awallace@barnstablecounty.org.

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The Massachusetts SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Program invites you to be part of the Cape Cod and Islands Regional Advisory Council.  Help to inform and guide the efforts of SMP in reaching and raising awareness of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, family members, caregivers and professionals about the role we can each have in preventing Medicare and Medicaid fraud.  The MA SMP Program's Regional Advisory Councils serve as a venue for providers across the elder service delivery network to collectively strategize and recommend the best practices to reach and educate diverse elder populations to become engaged healthcare consumers and protect themselves against healthcare errors, fraud and abuse.

Join the SMP on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 9 - 11:00 AM at Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc., 68 Route 134, South Dennis, MA.  For more information or to RSVP contact Pat Sadre at psadre@esmv.org or call 800/892-0890 ext. 1352.

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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is being offered again by popular demand on September 26th & 27th.  The training will be held at St. Peter's Church in Harwich from 8:30 AM - 4 PM.  13 CEU's for SW and LMHC will be awarded upon completion of the program.  Space is limited.  Registration deadline is September 19th.  For more information click here  or to register email YSPP@chcofcapecod.org or call 508/771-4336.  

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Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands announces its Fundraising 101 Breakfast workshop scheduled for September 18th from 8 - 11:00 AM at the Hyannis Golf Course, Route 132 in Hyannis.  This workshop is geared towards those who are new to fundraising, board members, volunteers, and others who are interested in learning more about one or more areas in the fundraising process.  The workshop meeting costs $10 for members and $25 for non-members of Philanthropy Partners.  Non-members will receive a $10 discount to Philanthropy Day on November 14, 2012.  Workshop will include a continental breakfast and a coffee break with refreshments.  To register for this session call 508/280-1822, email mwhiteppci@aol.com or register online by clicking here.  Deadline for registration is September 14, 2012.

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Each year Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) staff travel across Massachusetts for a series of meetings with housing professionals and advocates, community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders that want to expand access to affordable housing.  This is an opportunity to share updates with members in each region of the state and more importantly, to hear what communities would like CHAPA to focus on in their public policy advocacy, research, and programs.  On the Cape, CHAPA will be holding a meeting at Barnstable Town Hall, 2nd Floor Hearing Room, 367 Main St. in Hyannis, co-hosted by Housing Assistance Corporation on Wednesday, September 19th at 9:30 AM.  You can register to attend online at http://www.chapa.org/event?month=2012-09

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DPH is beginning the 2012-1013 program of Partnership activities with our first monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 19, and are delighted that A.Kathryn Power,M.Ed., Regional Administrator, Region 1, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will be our guest speaker.  In her capacity as Regional Administrator, Ms. Power, works to implement SAMHSA's mission of reducing the impact of mental illness and substance abuse on America's communities; she also develops regional perspectives on SAMHSA initiatives and advocates for people with mental illness and substance use disorders both nationally and regionally.  We are fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to meet with her in a smaller-group setting.

The meeting runs from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, at DPH, 250 Washington St., Boston, MA -near both the Orange Line State St. T stops and the Green Line, Government Center T stop; there is also parking in the area including directly across the street (but it is expensive). 

We are just about at capacity but may be able to accommodate a few more people and I ask that you RSVP  to ruth.grabel@state.ma.us or 617-624-5488 as soon as possible if you wish to attend and I will try to arrange that. If you have previously indicated that you would like to attend and now find that you can't, please let me know.   

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Healthy People 2020 presents two September Webinars:

• September 20th, 12 - 12:45 PM - Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators?  Webinar on Social Determinants
• September 27th, 12 - 1:30 PM - Spotlight on Health:  Bullying Among Adolescents

Click here for more information or to register.

2012 Out of the Darkness Community Walk, September 29th, Buzzards Bay sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  2012 Honorary Co-Chairs:  Senator Scott Brown & Senator John Kerry.  To register or sponsor or donate visit www.outofthedarkness.org.  For other Massachusetts walk locations click here.

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• New!!  Work Support Boot Camp  8-week program, September 25 - November 13.  Info session - Tuesday, August 28, 9 - 10 AM, Eastern Bank Hyannis.
• From Surviving to Thriving  6-week program, September 12 - October 17.  Info session - Tuesday, August 28, 5-6 PM, Harwich Chamber of Commerce.
• Family Law Overview  Everything  you Wanted to Know about Family Law but were Afraid to Ask - Wednesday, October 3, 4-6 PM, Falmouth Service Center.
• Divorce Boot Camp  Saturday, October 13, Hyannis Transportation Center
• Divorce Support Group - time and place to be announced.

Please click on the topic above or call 508/430-8111 or email mary@wecancenter.org to register for any of the above workshops or for more information.  Please check our website for on-going legal consults and financial empowerment program appointments.

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The Alliance for Non-profit Growth and Opportunity (TANGO) is hosting a Best Practices for Nonprofits conference on September 27, 2012 from 7:30 AM - 12 Noon in Natick, MA.  The event is free for TANGO members and membership is free for non-profits - click here  to join.  For more information or to register click here. 

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Mental health professionals often treat suicidal patients, and suicidal behavior occurs even among patients who are seeking treatment or are currently in treatment. The training of most mental health professionals in the assessment and management of suicidal patients is surprisingly limited.  Alarmingly, only 50% of psychologists, 25% of social workers and 6% of counselors have training in suicide risk assessment.  Improving the training and competence of mental health professionals is one of the most logical ways to prevent suicide and save lives.

Now Available:  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program Training Calendar for September 2012 - August 2013.  Please click on the link to view the training calender and to register at http://www.cvent.com/d/bdqfst/6T

When registering for a workshop, please note that each event has tabs titled with information regarding the workshop, available CEs and cost.  Space is limited for each workshop and fills up quickly, so please register early.

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Friends of the Eastham Council on Aging (FECOA) will be holding their annual Bag Sale on September 13, 16, 17 & 18 at the FECOA Thrift Shop located at 580 Massasoit Rd., North Eastham.  All the clothing you can fit in one bag for just $3.00 - what a bargain!!  Volunteers are needed, please call the Eastham Senior Center at 508/255-6164.  Click here for a full listing of September events and activities.

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September calendar of events and activities at the Barnstable Senior Center.  RSVP required for all events.  Call Susan Griffin at 508/862-4750 or email susan.griffin@town.barnstable.ma.us

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The Ounce of Prevention 2012 Conference "Paving a New Way for Prevention: Transforming how we Pay, Play and Perform" is scheduled for October 16, 2012 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, MA.  Event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with support provided by AdCare Educational Institue, Inc.  For more information and to register click here.

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Please join staff from Attorney General Martha Coakley's office, Division of Open Government, at an educational forum on Open Meeting Law scheduled for October 17, 2012 from 6 - 8:00 PM at Barnstable High School, 744 West Main St., Hyannis.  This workshop will provide an update on and guidance about compliance with the Open Meeting Law.  The educational forum will be conducted by attorneys and staff from the Division of Open Government and will be a terrific opportunity for municipal officials, members of public bodies, and members of the public to understand this important law.  The forums are open to the public and offered FREE of charge.

Please register in advance by emailing OMLTraining@state.ma.us, or call 617/963-2925 with:  First and last name, town of residence, public body/organization you represent and the location of the educational forum  you will attend.

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Barnstable County's AmeriCorps Cape Cod is seeking applications for potential projects for a Martin Luther King Day of Service volunteer event to take place on Monday, January 21, 2013.  Let us offer your organization the energy and resources leveraged by a corps of 32 AmeriCorps Cape Cod members, AmeriCorps program staff, community volunteers, donations from local businesses, and grant funding. Fill out the attached Request for Information form, and your organization's project could be selected.  Deadline for submitting proposals is October 19, 2012.

Visit www.americorpscapecod.org for additional information.

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For years, Mid Upper Cape Community Health Center has been serving the diverse population of Barnstable County, creating lasting relationships with patients and the community. That being said, Mid Upper Cape Community Health Center has a new name...Harbor Community Health Center- Hyannis!

Harbor Community Health Center-Hyannis

(Formerly known as Mid Upper Cape Community Health Center)

30 Elm Avenue, Hyannis, MA 02601

To make a medical appointment, please call (508) 778-5420

To make a dental appointment, please call (508) 778-5440

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There are many exciting programs and  activities going on at NAMI CC&I:

• Expanded Family Support Groups
• Expanded Connection Support Groups
• Recovery Education courses
• Family-to-Family courses
• Healing Through Art class
• The Last Gasp - a 63-mile charity bike ride on Cape Cod on 9/16
• Golf Tournament to benefit NAMI Cape Cod on 9/17

And much, much more!!  For information on these and other programs and activities visit the Nami Cape Cod website

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• 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?

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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