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Barnstable County Human Services 
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Department's Corner
New On-line Resource
Public Hearing on Women's Issues
Council on Aging Fair
Regional Domestic Violence Task Force
HUD Continuum of Care Funding available
Alateen Meetings
ARTICLE HEADLINE
Health Imperatives Seeks Youth Program Coordinator
Safer Drinking as you Age
AmeriCorps Cape Cod Aids Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
Mass Nonprofits Aid in Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
WE CAN Center to Open New Location Soon
ChopChop Massachusetts newsletter
Annual Tree of Memories
MASS 2-1-1
Veterans Crisis Hotline
Samaritans Survivor Support Group
E-Newsletter Article Submissions
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ISSUE: 75

November 16, 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.
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DEPARTMENT'S CORNER
This is a perfect time of year to thank an amazing group of young people in the Cape Cod Junior Medical Reserve Corps (MRC): Max Arvidson, Austin Baacke, Lara Bokanovich, Olivia Dean, Liam Doherty, Catherine Etienne, Tim Losi, Nicole Mellor, Esther Rei, and Max Sharpton. Following a wintertime conversation with Christine Stein in the Department about helping with a Barnstable County Mass In Motion initiative to increase healthy foods on food pantry shelves, the group stepped into action. They started a vegetable garden from scratch, growing plants from seeds and developing a barren piece of land in the Barnstable County Complex into a productive garden. In the summer, the veggies-cucumbers to bok choy to Swiss chard-were delivered to two very appreciative local food pantries for redistribution to clients. For more details on this story and wonderful photos, visit www.bchumanservices.net/mass-in-motion/ and click on Cape Cod Junior Medical Reserve Corps Garden. Also thank you to Jean Roma, Director of the Cape Cod MRC and Juliet and Gerry Tierney, MRC volunteers. ______________________________________________________________
BARNSTABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW ON-LINE RESOURCE

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services is pleased to announce a new website find.bchumanservices.net featuring on-line directories of health and human service resources. The Directories are a compilation of local resources organized around areas of critical need such as food, housing, mental health services, energy/fuel assistance, and services for seniors and people with disabilities. Find.bchumanservices.net is a valuable resource now available to Barnstable County residents and human service organizations. This new on-line tool is an effective and efficient way to make local information available on a 'simple to search' website. For more information view press release in its entirety.

 

If you believe your organization should be included in any of the new Directories or have any other feedback on how to improve the on-line directories, call the Department of Human Services at 508/375-6628.

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REGIONAL PUBLIC HEARING ON WOMEN'S ISSUES

The Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women would like to hear from you at a regional public hearing on women's issues.  Event is scheduled for Monday, November 19th, 5:30 - 7:00 PM at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St., Harwich.  Citizens, government officials and organizations that advocate for women and families in the region are invited to attend.  Let us know about issues that are important to you, your children, your family, and your community across the Cape & Islands.  Open the public, light refreshments will be serviced.  For more information email capeandislandswomenscommission@gmail.com or call Pam Pollock at 508/965-6927. 

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BRIDGING THE YEARS ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

Bridging the Years - Adult Supportive Day Program has rescheduled their Annual Open House for November 28, 2012 from 4 - 6:00 PM, 239 Main St., Buzzards Bay.  All are welcome, no RSVP necessary.

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REGIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
The next meeting of the Regional Domestic Violence Task Force is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from 9:00- 10:30 AM in the Career Opportunities building, 372 North St. Hyannis. 
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FY2012 HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE COMPETITION

FY2012 HUD Continuum of Care Competition is open.  There is an opportunity to apply for a new "Permanent Housing" Project. Funds Available: $42,175.  Projects funded under this Permanent Housing Bonus must exclusively serve chronically homeless individuals and/or chronically homeless families.  It must be a HUD CoC Rental Assistance or Leasing Project. (See HUD guidelines http://www.hudhre.info/index.cfm.)  The "Concept Paper" for a New Permanent Housing Bonus Project is due to the Regional Network to Address Homelessness HUD CoC Subcommittee for review by November 29, 2012 by 4 pm.  This is a competitive process.  Please contact Caronanne Procaccini @ cap@cacci.cc or 508-771-1727 ext. 236 to receive the Concept Paper Form and application guidelines.   

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ALATEEN MEETINGS

If you are a teen and someone's drinking or drug use worries you and you want a safe place to talk, join other teens at this weekly Alateen meeting held at the Harwich Community Center, Room 4 on Fridays from 5:30 - 6:30 PM.  Call 508/394-4555 if you need more information.

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HOMECORPS BORROWER RECOVERY INITIATIVE PROGRAM 

The HomeCorps Borrower Recovery Initiative Program is a support and recovery network to provide advocacy to distressed borrowers in Massachusetts facing foreclosure.  The program offers direct loan modification advocacy to avoid unnecessary foreclosure and to stabilize borrowers' housing situation to help prevent homelessness by connecting families to rental housing, available benefits and financial counseling.  Read more ...

 

If your are facing a housing challenge or have questions please contact the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands, Inc. at 508/771-1727.

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HEALTH IMPERATIVES SEEKS YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Under the Direction of the AHEC Program Director, the Youth Program Coordinator will take a lead role in the youth health careers program.  This is a full-time (35 hrs/week) position.  View Job Description.  Fax, email, or mail resume to Program Director, AHEC, Health Imperatives, Inc., 942 West Chestnut St., Brockton, MA  02301.

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SAFER DRINKING AS YOU AGE INFOGRAPHIC

As a part of the MA Department of Public Health's ongoing Safer Drinking as You Age campaign, they have released a 1¼ minute Infographic about how alcohol affects us more as we age. This part of the campaign uses humor to reach the Baby Boomer generation. You can see this new Infographic at www.mass.gov/dph/saferdrinking.

 

Please share this new resource widely with your contacts. Additional resources in multiple languages can be found at www.mass.gov/maclearinghouse. View brief description of the campaign. Your feedback is most welcome.

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Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, National Park Service Fire Management & Barnstable County AmeriCorps Cape Cod respond to Super Storm Hurricane Sandy

Following an unprecedented storm of epic proportions that impacted the New York and New Jersey areas, Cape Cod National Seashore responded to a request for assistance by sending an emergency response crew that included the six-member Barnstable County AmeriCorps Cape Cod Fire Corps to Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York on Sunday, November 4th. Their initial assignment is working on recovery efforts on Liberty Island.  Answering a call to action, AmeriCorps Cape Cod coordinated with local, state, and federal resources including the National Park Service and Barnstable County, with special support and guidance from the Massachusetts Service Alliance, and AmeriCorps' federal funder, the Corporation for National and Community Service. The AmeriCorps Cape Cod Fire Corps members will gain valuable experience and perform extraordinary service in this time of need.  Read more...

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MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFITS PARTICIPATE IN HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF EFFORTS
Although Massachusetts was spared the worst of Hurricane Sandy's devastation, our neighbors in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut were impacted greatly. A number of organizations in Massachusetts have coordinated or participated in relief efforts to aid their recovery, and many more individuals and organizations are looking for ways to get involved. If you would like to join those efforts, we recommend a few options below.

The Massachusetts branches of The American Red Cross have gathered supplies and even deployed local volunteers to aid in disaster sites along the Eastern Seaboard. To support the Red Cross in its efforts following Hurricane Sandy, consider making a donation to the disaster relief fund of the American National Red Cross.

The United Way recently announced the formation of the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund to address short and long-term recovery needs of the impacted communities. Branches of The United Way across Massachusetts have focused their efforts on bringing in contributions to the general recovery fund.  Click here to donate.
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WE CAN CENTER TO OPEN NEW LOCATION SOON
Thanks to the generosity of our amazing Cape community, since June, we have raised more than $210,000 to support the extensive renovations underway, making us just $40,000 away from reaching our 2012 goal. If you have been able to support us, we thank you; if you are able to help us in this home stretch, know you will be making a significant difference to the close to 2000 women we expect to serve this year!

 

We plan to move soon after the first of the year and will keep you posted on our schedule and relocation information. This has been a gargantuan effort for a small organization like WE CAN; our amazing progress is entirely due to the full support of each one of you: individuals, businesses, our non-profit colleagues, and our terrific volunteers.  More info at: www.wecancenter.org

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CHOPCHOP MASSACHUSETTS

ChopChop is a free monthly newsletter from the Department of Public Health that includes a fun, healthy and easy-to-make recipe, featuring locally-grown produce, which parents and children can prepare together. We know that meals cooked at home tend to be healthier (and less expensive) than takeout food. What's more, by teaching our kids to cook we make them more nutritionally literate - and more likely to develop healthier eating habits over a lifetime. Besides, cooking together can be fun!

 

ChopChop is part of Mass in Motion, a multifaceted DPH initiative to combat obesity in Massachusetts by promoting simple ways for people to eat better and move more.

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22nd ANNUAL TREE OF MEMORIES

Hope Hospice, part of the HopeHealth family of services, announces the start of its annual Tree of Memories event, celebrating its 22nd year. Ornamental scallop shells inscribed to honor loved ones adorn one of seventeen trees in outdoor displays during the holiday season in towns across the region. Hope Hospice's chaplains and local clergy hold non-denominational ceremonies at each tree providing those who attend a chance to share in remembering their loved ones through prayer and song.

 

Shells to be hung on the tree of one's choice may be reserved with a donation in any amount to Hope Hospice. Anyone can be honored, regardless of whether they were a hospice patient. Following the holidays, people may keep their shells as mementos. The event is sponsored by TD Bank.  To reserve a shell, call (508) 957-0254, visit HopeHealthCo.org or email giving@HopeHealthCo.org

 

For a list of Tree of Memories ceremonies dates and locations Read more .

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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?
Not sure how to use 2-1-1?  Want to learn how to create your own directory of resources?  It's easy - call us for free training.
  
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.  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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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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E-NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
To submit materials, please include the following information and forward to kcallahan@barnstablecounty.org :
  • 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.