Accessibility Resource Center

February 7, 2013 

AGING AND DISABILITY FORUM POSTPONED

The Human Rights Commission breakfast scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2013 has been postponed until Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn in Hyannis.

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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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NAMI Cape Cod and the Islands announces a 2 part series "Getting a Handle on Mental Health Care on Cape Cod".  The keys are education, support and understanding to help families get a handle on mental illness.  Join NAMI Cape Cod & Islands for a short presentation followed by Q&A with a panel from: Cape Cod Healthcare Behavioral Health Services on Wednesday, February 13, 2012, 7 - 8:30 PM at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 99 Rt. 28, West Yarmouth.  Part 2 of this series will feature the Department of Mental Health Panel on March 19, 2013.  These events are free.  For more information contact NAMI at info@namicapecod.org or 508/778-4277.

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The Community Health Network Area (CHNA) 27, has released a Request for Proposals from non-profit and public entities proposing to address issues that eliminate health disparities, promote wellness, and prevent/manage chronic disease for individuals who are elderly and/or persons with disabilities. During 2013, $70,000 will be distributed across the geographic area of CHNA 27 to selected eligible organizations through grants ranging from $15,000 to $40,000.  Funding for this grant is made possible by Cape Cod Healthcare through the Department of Public Health's Determination of Need (DON) process.  

Applications must be postmarked by February 22, 2013. The Cape Cod Foundation is serving as grants manager for the project. The full announcement and a link to the application can be found at www.capecodfoundation.org, under Grant Information, CHNA 27. For more information or questions about the application, please contact Kristin O'Malley, Manager of Community Investment Services for the Cape Cod Foundation, at (508) 790-3040 or komalley@capecodfoundation.org. Please reference CHNA 27 Application in subject line.

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Community Action Committee's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is offering FREE tax help to low and moderate income taxpayers of all ages.  They will help prepare both federal and state 2012 tax returns and help claim tax credits including: Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child & Dependent Care Credit, and Education credits. View flyer.  Clients seen by appointment only and during tax season only.  FAST, EASY and FREE!  Call today ... contact Melissa at 508/771-1727 ext. 132.

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Need a little help paying your rent?  Let Harwich Ecumenical Council for Housing (HECH) help.  With funds from the Town of Dennis, HECH is currently accepting applications for rental assistance to income qualified households who live, work or have children who attend school in Dennis. MA.  Application deadline is February 12, 2013.  Lottery to be held February 21, 2013.

Funds are available to provide rental assistance for up to $350/month for up to 3 years.  For more information and an application contact visit HECH.org or 508/432-0015 ext 102 or pam@hech.org.  View flyer for income requirements and other restrictions.

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In November 2012, Massachusetts voters approved Ballot Question 3, Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana, which became law on January 1, 2013.  This measure allows qualifying patients with certain medical conditions to obtain and use medical marijuana.  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is required to issue regulations on the implementation of this law by May 1, 2013.  DPH is dedicated to engaging stakeholders and learning from other states' experiences in order to put in place a system that is right for Massachusetts, ensuring both appropriate access and safe and secure communities for our children and families.  DPH is soliciting input from interested parties in shaping these regulations.  Join DPH at three special Listening Sessions across the state:

• Worcester, MA: Wednesday, February 13th, 2-5 PM, Worcester Public Library
• Boston, MA: Thursday, February 14th, 10 AM - 1 PM, Roxbury Community College
• Holyoke, MA:  Wednesday, February 27th, 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Holyoke Community College

Read more ...

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The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod is open during the February school vacation, February 18 - 22nd, for kids in grades 1-8 from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM with lots of special activities at the Clubhouse.  The Clubhouse is open to all members for free during the vacation week and there is a $5 a day fee for non-members.  Come-in any time they are open.

The Club is also running some great field trips to places like the Coco Key Indoor Water Park, Roller Skating & Laser Tag, swimming in the Olympic size pool at the Fall River Boys & Girls Club, Snow Tubing at Nashoba Valley (grades 3-8 only) and an afternoon at the Movies at Mashpee Commons.  Trips are first come first served and require an additional fee to cover admission and transportation.  Trips must be paid in full before a child will be registered to go on them. Any child going MUST have a completed membership form or non-member form with emergency contacts listed.  For a complete list of times and dates please click here.

* The Club follows the Mashpee school closing schedule for inclement weather during the regular school year.  Please listen to the radio or TV for snow closing updates.

For more information on hours and programs visit the website online or call 508/477-8845.

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In accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding to the County for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and with the provisions of the Consortium's Citizen Participation Plan, the Consortium, prior to publishing the FFY2013 Action Plan will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 21, 2013, 5 - 6:00 PM, Cape Cod Commission Conference Room, 3225 Main St., Barnstable.  

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain comments and views of citizens, public agencies, community organizations and other interested parties on Barnstable County housing needs, the scope of HOME program activities and recommended allocation levels for HOME program activities.  Read more ...

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The Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled invites you to: An Evening of "Spirit Connections" with Tiffany Rice, Spirit Medium.  Event will be held on Friday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. at CORD at 106 Bassett Lane in Hyannis. Tickets are $50 and the seating is limited! Tickets must be purchased in advance! Come into CORD or call 508-775-8300 for information about purchasing tickets.

            Bring your friends and family to a special "Spirit Connections" with Tiffany Rice. This event will be a wonderful experience for you to enjoy the miracle of Spirit communication in a group setting. Tiffany is an evidential Spirit Medium that will connect with your loved ones in Spirit for random members of the audience with a light-hearted sense of humor and sensitivity. The experience of the miracle of afterlife communication will leave you feeling uplifted, knowing your loved ones are always around you! Proceeds for this event will benefit CORD.  Please Note:  There are no guarantees that everyone will receive a reading. Tiffany is not in control of who gets messages; our loved ones on the other side run the show.

Please call CORD at 508-775-8300 (v/tty) by February 14th for reasonable accommodations.  CORD attempts to maintain a scent-free environment that is safe and comfortable for all.  We request that you refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other scented products.

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Brown Bag Lecture Series on Family Health and Nutrition will meet once a week from March 1st - April 4th.  Wellness Professionals will discuss ways we can improve our health and wellness as well as our family members.

Bring your lunch and join the group from 12 - 1:00 PM in the Harborview Meeting Room on the Barnstable County Complex, 3195 Main St., Barnstable.  Space is limited so please reserve your space by contacting Deanna Desroches at capecodhealthyconnections@gmail.com.  You do not need to attend each week but can register on a weekly basis.  View dates, times & topics and more information.

This series is brought to you by the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group

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On March 12th @9:30 A.M. at the Career Opportunities Office Conference Room located at 372 North Street Hyannis, the Domestic Violence Council will hold its quarterly meeting.   We will have ADA Lisa Edmonds brief the group on emerging domestic violence legislation and review current laws that apply to domestic violence including recent SJC decisions that have impacted DV law.  Meetings are open to the public.

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 Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. 150 awards are projected with a $125,000 award cap, submission deadline March 22, 2013. The DFC Program has two goals: 1) Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth and 2) Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. "Youth" is defined as individuals 18 years of age and younger.

Ethnic Community Self-Help Program Grants: 

Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement.  15 awards ranging from $100,000 - $250,000, submission deadline March 22, 2013.  The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites refugee ethnic-community based organizations as well as refugee ethnic organizations that are faith-based to submit competitive grant applications for funding of the Ethnic Community Self-Help Program to provide services to newly arrived refugees. The objective of this program is to strengthen organized ethnic communities comprised and representative of refugee populations to ensure ongoing support and services to refugees within five years after initial resettlement. The populations targeted for services and benefits in the application must represent refugee communities which have arrived in the U.S. within the last five years (no earlier than 2008). Applicants should view these resources as a temporary augmentation of funds to meet emerging organizational and other needs of the arriving populations and should plan to move toward non-ORR funding sources beyond the project period.

YouthBuild Grants:  Administered by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.  75 grants, award ceiling $1.1 million, submission deadline March 19, 2013.  Under this solicitation, DOL will award grants to organizations to oversee the provision of education, occupational skills training, and employment services to disadvantaged youth in their communities while performing meaningful work and service to their communities. Based on their estimate of FY 2013 funding, DOL hopes to serve approximately 5,200 participants during the grant period of performance, with projects operating in approximately 75 communities across the country.  

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The 4th Massachusetts Health Council Women's Health Forum: "Getting Healthy, Staying Healthy: Knowledge is Everything" will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Waltham Westin Hotel, 70 Third Ave., Waltham, MA.

Whether you're a provider, patient, advocate, or consumer you can learn from leading practitioners about the latest thinking and clinical practices in women's health.  Everything from heart disease to how to deal with being a part of the sandwich generation taking care of children and elderly parents.

For speaker details and registration information click here or visit the website at www.mahealthcouncil.org.  CEU's approved for Nurses, Social Workers and Pharmacists.

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When it comes to Alzheimer's disease or any of the other related dementias, a major area of concern is Managing Difficult Behaviors.  An in depth presentation on this topic along with a panel discussion will be held on March 22, 2013 at the Double Tree by Hilton, Hyannis.  Cost: $75 and 3 CEs.  $50 Family caregiver rate.  Call 508/775-5656 or register online.

2013 Dementia Education Opportunities:

• Dementia Certificate Level 1 Program: February 12 & 19 at Jordan Hospital - Plymouth, April 1 & 8 at HopeHealth - Hyannis, or April 18 & 25 at Newton Health Center. 8 CEU's for RNs, LPNs, CNAs, MSWs, LHMCs, PCAs, Nursing Home Administrators and Activity Professionals.  Course fee $115.00
• Dementia Certificate Level II Program: February 21 - Martha's Vineyard, February 26 - HopeHealth, Hyannis, May 7 - Autumn Glen at Dartmouth, May 13 - HopeHealth, Hyannis.  Course fee: $75.00, 4 CEUs.

To register call 508/775-5656.  Find more classes at HopeDementia.org

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April training is right around the corner! Here are the details:

What: 4-Day Intensive Mediation Skills Training

Dates: April 1, 2, 8, & 9, 2013

Times: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM each day

Where: Corsair and Crossrip Oceanfront Properties in Dennisport

Cost: $550($495 if received by March 2nd)

Please hold your spot in one of the following ways:

1. Send in your early registration of $495 by March 2nd.

2. Send in $50 immediately to hold your place.

3. Apply for a partial scholarship by sending an email to nancy@capemediation.org stating why you are asking for the help (this reduces your tuition to $350).

4. Go to www.capemediation.org to pay with paypal. Currently paypal is set for the $550 fee. If you pay by March 2nd, I will refund the $55 early registration bonus.

Checks should be made out to Cape Mediation, PO Box 193, Orleans, MA 02653

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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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