Accessibility Resource Center

March 22, 2013 

SAVE THE DATE - MAY 10, 2013:  AGING AND DISABILITY FORUM #2

Navigating the Long Term Services and Supports System for Older Adults & People with Disabilities Forum scheduled for May 10, 2013.  This forum is the second in a series of aging and disability forums hosted by the Barnstable County Department of Human Services.  The forum will highlight the local long term services and supports systems.  This event is for anyone interested in learning more about the long term service systems on Cape Cod.  Register here.

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The 2013 County Health Rankings Report was released this week, the fourth annual report of information assembled under a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The project is not data alone, but a framework for taking action to work together to improve population health at the community-level. The Rankings are based on the Social Determinants of Health model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make communities healthier places to live, learn, work and play. The Rankings order each county within each of the 50 states according to a selection of health outcomes and health factors that contribute to a county's health.  From highest to lowest comparing the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Barnstable County dropped in rank from #6 to #8 for Health Outcomes and maintained its rank of  #5 for Health Factors. Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information.

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GRANT OPPORTUNITY - NAVIGATOR PILOT PROJECT RFP

Grant Opportunity - Request for Proposals - Navigator Pilot Project

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services has issued an RFP for the Navigator Pilot Project. The goal of the Navigator Pilot project is to improve access to information and the coordination and delivery of home based long term care supports and services for residents of Cape Cod who have chronic health conditions and physical disabilities. Barnstable County will award up to $ 90,000.00 to an eligible non-profit entity or individual for an 18 month period.

View the RFP.  It can also be found on-line at www.bchumanservices.net and on the Resource Development Website. All questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Julie Ferguson, Barnstable County Grant Manager at 508-375-6879. Applications must be received no later than: 12:00PM on Thursday April 4, 2013.  Applicants should submit an original proposal and FIVE COPIES (including attachments) to:

Barnstable County Resource Development Office

Navigator Pilot Project RFP

P.O. Box 427

Barnstable, Massachusetts 02630-0427

Attention: Julie Ferguson

*If hand delivering a proposal, applications must be brought to the Resource Development Office located at the Barnstable County Complex before 12:00 PM on April 4, 2013.

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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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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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Did you know that Cape Light Compact offers Free Home Energy Assessments?

These free assessments are available to all Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard residents (tenants and homeowners), regardless of your income level. Our energy specialist(s) will come to your home and evaluate your insulation, determine air leaks, replace your incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient ones, and meter your refrigerator to see if it would be eligible for a rebate towards a new energy efficient model. Cape Light Compact will cover 100% of the cost of any recommended air leak sealing, and at least 75% of the cost up to $4000 for any insulation work that is recommended.

To sign up for your free assessment or for more information, please call 1-800-797-6699 or visit www.capelightcompact.org.

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FREE event will be held on Saturday March 23, 2013 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich.  Demonstrations, exhibits and services for all ages including  Healthy Living Tips, Fitness Demos, Good-for-You Snacks, Health Screenings, Teddy Bear Clinic, Holistic Health Offerings, Games & Activities, Cafe and Marketplace and MUCH More.  For more information contact Lauren Melillo at 508/888-9525 or lmelillo@sandwich.k12.ma.us

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The Lower Cape LGBT Seniors (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) meet on the Fourth Friday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Orleans Senior Center, 150 Rock Harbor Road, Orleans.

The Lower Cape LGBT Senior Group (55 yrs of age and over) is an ongoing group of women and men who come to network and meet new friends.  We gather for social time, entertainment and activities.  Refreshments & light food served; donations are accepted.  Please RSVP to Maryanne at mryan@town.orleans.ma.us or call 508-255-6333 ext 16 for further info.

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"WOVEN VOICES, stories of living with HIV/AIDS and Cancer" will be presented by Skip Warren on Saturday, March 30th at the Brewster Meeting House, 1969 Route 6A, Brewster. A former ballet dancer, father, teacher, playwright, activist, and founder of Cape Cod's Gayla Ball, Skip has lived with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS for over 20 years. He and his partner raised Skip's daughters here on Cape Cod, while they ran DanceArts Studio in Harwich. Now struggling with AIDS Associated B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Skip still spins a remarkable tale of love, courage, pain, inspiration, and belly-laughter. Admission is $5 to $35 (sliding scale, pay what you can afford). For reservations or information, please call 508-237-5195. Sponsored by the Welcoming Congregation Committee of First Parish Brewster.

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The Cape & Islands Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has been appointed by the BArnstable County Commissioners to create a local workforce development system.  The Job Training and Employment Corporation (JTEC) is the administrative entity for the funds designated to this region by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).

As part of the workforce development system, the Youth Council and the WIB are seeking year-round programs of activities and services for low-income youth who are seniors in high school and will be attending school for the FY2014 program year.  Allocations for FY2014 are not currently available.  The allocation for FY2013 was $104,587.00.  The RFP will only be available on or after March 22, 2013 on the Career Opportunities website at www.capejobs.com.  Hard copies will not be available either at 88 North St. or at the Bidder's Conference.  Please bring your copy to the Bidder's Conference on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Career Opportunities, Conference Room No.2, 372 North St., Hyannis. Read more ...

Any questions concerning downloading the RFP from the website should be addressed to Joan Rezendes at 508/862-6166 or by email at jrezendes@jteccorp.com.

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Housing Assistance Corporation will present three financial workshops during morning hours in April.

• Rebuilding Your Credit: Fee - $17, includes tri-merged credit report.  Meets April 1st, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
• Creating a Budget:  FREE workshop meets on April 8th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
• Community Resources:  FREE workshop on how to live more economically.  Meets April 22nd, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Classes will be held at Housing Assistance Corp., 460 West Main St., Hyannis.  To register or see a full listing of HAC's 2013 workshops visit www.haconcapecod.org/programs-and-services/workshops-and-counseling

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This two-day afternoon program is offered by Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services, part of the HopeHealth family of services,and is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.  8 CEs available for RNs, LPNs, CNAs, MSWs, LHMC, PCAs, Nursing Home Administrators and Activity Professionals.  The program is taught by Suzanne Faith, RN psych, Clinical Director, Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services.

• Cost: $115.00 includes materials fee 
• Schedule: April 1 and 8, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the HopeHealth office, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.

For more information or to register, please call (508) 775-5656 or email info@HopeDementia.org.

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In this age of technology, there are more options than ever to aid you in staying home and staying safe.  Join Overlook CARE and Overlook VNA in a discussion about what is new in technology today. 

The Barnstable Senior, 825 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, will host Technology Today: The Tool for Aging Safely in Your Home

Do you have trouble eating?  Are you self-conscious about your teeth?  Has it been more than a year since you have visited the dentist?  The Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands and the Oral Health Excellence Collaborative want to help you find your SMILE!  They will help you find assistance with dental care you can afford, get to, speaks your language and accommodates yours needs.  They will be visiting congregate lunch sites on:

• April 2, Mashpee Senior Center, 11:00 AM (congregate lunch 11:30 AM)
• April 11, Oak Bluffs Senior Center, 12:00 PM, (congregate lunch 11:30 AM)
• April 30, Barnstable Senior Center, 12:15 PM (congregate lunch 11:45 AM)

Sign up for the congregate lunch and/or attend the presentation on oral health.  Call 508/771-1727 ext. 259 for more information.

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Hooves of Change will be hosting a spring open house on Saturday, April 6th from 1-3PM at Smithfield Farm, 809 Sandwich Rd, East Falmouth.  Come for a visit to take a look at what we do.  Demonstrations will be offered as well as opportunities for questions to be answered.  Hooves of Change is an equine assisted psychotherapy and learning program offering counseling to clients ages five and older.  All sessions are on-ground and are collaborations with horses to support personal growth and learning.  Our spring open house will be a great opportunity to learn more about what we do, how sessions are done, and what makes this such an effective counseling approach!  This event is free and open to all.  For questions contact Ashley Symington at 774/487-0280 or ashley@hooves-of-change.com  Weblink:  www.hooves-of-change.com

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CHNA 27 is seeking a skilled facilitator to design, facilitate and prepare a three-hour session for CHNA 27 members on the issue of "Compassion Fatigue".  Compassion fatigue symptoms are normal displays of stress resulting from caregiving work performed on a regular basis.  While the symptoms are often disruptive, depressive, and irritating, an awareness of the symptoms and their negative effect can lead to positive change, personal transformation and a new resiliency.  Gaining control over life choices takes time and hard work.  This workshop will use training principles similar to those of Patricia Smith, founder of Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project.  View complete RFP description.

Proposals are due by April 15, 2013 via email to suzcurrier@comcast.net.  Questions regarding the RFP should be directed to the Workshop Coordinator, Judy Harris at 774/207-0529 or health4life@comcast.net

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As individuals, families and communities continue to struggle with the growing, clinically, significant hoarding problem here on Cape Cod, the Cape Cod Hoarding Task Force (CCHTF) is pleased to announce their next public event.  GETTING UNBURIED FROM TREASURES will be presented at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St in South Yarmouth on April 17, 2013, 9am-2:30pm.  This presentation will introduce a panel of individuals that present their stories of how they found their motivation for change, and became dedicated to living a less cluttered life.  View flyer.

GETTING UNBURIED FROM TREASURES is presented with no registration necessary, FREE of charge, and includes breakfast and a light lunch.  Come and learn about different resources, support groups, therapy groups and gain new knowledge. Visit the CCHTF website at www.hoardingcapecod.org and visit us on Facebook.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announces the posting of the Youth Violence Prevention Services Unit's RFR for the Primary Violence Prevention Through Positive Youth Development (formally the Youth Violence Prevention grant) and the Youth At Risk: Secondary Violence Prevention Through Positive Youth Development grants.  An overview of this procurement (the main RFR document), applications for the Primary Violence Prevention and Youth At Risk grants, an appendix with background and pertinent information and all required forms for proposals can be found on the Com-PASS website.  Directions for accessing the necessary documents are as follows:

• Go to www.comm-pass.com.  Click on the Solicitations tab. 
•  Click on Search for a Solicitation.  Enter 400522 into the Document Number field, then press Search. 
• "There are 2 Solicitation(s) found that match your search criteria" will appear at the top of the screen. Click on this link.  Click on the eyeglasses icon on the top line, OPEN. 
• The RFR document is posted on the Specifications tab, documents for applicants to complete are on the Forms and Terms screen.  Please be sure to review all the forms on both of these tabs/screens.  Proposals will be due to Lonnie McAdoo at 250 Washington Street by Friday April 19, 2013 at 4:00.

Now that the RFR has been posted, DPH staff will be unable to answer any verbal questions or discuss the RFR with anyone.  This is to prevent giving any potential advantages to any one program by giving them information that others may not have.  In order to respond to the questions that people will likely have fairly, we will provide two methods for asking.  There will be a bidder's meeting to discuss our vision and expectation for the grants and to answer any questions you may have about the RFR or associated documents.  The bidder's meeting will be held on Monday March 25, 2013 from 11:00 to 1:00 at 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA.  Call-in information will be provided for anyone who can not attend in person.  We hope that every agency/program interested in applying, will send at least one representative from their agency.  We will also accept written questions which we will post and respond to on Com-PASS on a weekly basis, for all to see.  The deadline for questions is March 27, 2013 at 4:30.  Questions can be sent to Steve Smyth at steven.smyth@state.ma.us.  Because of this, we recommend that you regularly check the Com-PASS site for posted questions/responses and other important updates.

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity by forwarding this information to anyone you think may be interested. 

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The Family-Centered Institute is excited to announce that world-renowned jazz vocalist Shawnn Monteiro and the Bart Weisman Group will perform live on April 27, 2013, 7:00 pm at the Barnstable Senior Center, 825 Falmouth Rd. in Hyannis.  Accompanying Ms. Monteiro will be the Cape's own Bart Weisman Group, featuring Fred Boyle on piano, Rich Hill on bass, and Bart Weisman on drums.  Tickets are $20 (cash or check). Ticket sales at the door open at 5:00 pm. To reserve tickets ahead or for questions, call (855) 444-8747.  The Barnstable Senior Center is wheelchair accessible.  This performance is a fundraiser for a wonderful new local program to be launched soon that will assist the Cape's oldest residents to "get out and about" more often, helping to reduce their isolation, loneliness, and depression.  For more information view Press Release.

Event sponsored by:  Family-Centered Institute, Inc. in Brewster, MA 02631, Toll Free: (855) 444-8747.

The Family-Centered Institute, Inc. in Brewster is a local non-profit, charitable organization working every day to improve quality of life on Cape Cod.

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For nearly 50 years, Jonathan Kozol, speaker, author, education, social justice advocate, has dedicated his life to addressing the increasingly complex and urgent issues that face American education.  He is one of the most respected and eloquent writers and speakers on public education of our time.  Cape Cod Child Development, in partnership with Cape Cod Community College, welcome Jonathan Kozol who has been the voice for education equity and justice on Monday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM at the Tilden Arts Center at Cape Cod Community College - view flyer.  This event is FREE and open to the public.

For more information contact Cape Cod Child Development at 508/775-6240 or info@cccdp.org.

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The Tufts Health Plan Foundation invites letters of inquiry for its three program areas due May 1, 2013. The Foundation's focus is Healthy Aging -- improving the lives of adults 60 and older. Through the programs we fund in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we hope to elevate the well-being of older adults so as to enable them to live healthier lives.  

An important part of our Health & Wellness program area is Fall Prevention.  Recognizing the important role that fall prevention plays in the lives of older adults, the Foundation is committed to finding new and innovative programs for fall prevention that provide:
*        Increased strength and balance
*        Reduced fear of falls
*        Greater mobility in and outside the home
*        Fewer falls, hip fractures, head injuries, other injuries, fall-related hospitalizations, and/or fall-related deaths

We are very interested in growing our fall prevention portfolio and hope to form new partnerships with your organizations.  Please refer to the Tufts Health Plan Foundation website at www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org for more information on our grant guidelines and process timeline.  Please note:

Letters of Inquiry Open for Submission: April 1, 2013
Letters of Inquiry Due: May 1, 2013
 
In the meantime, however, please contact Kayla Romanelli, the program coordinator for Health & Wellness, for any questions regarding this process, at 617-972-9493 or kayla_romanelli@tufts-health.com.

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As reported in 2010 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, there are significant unmet oral health needs among seniors in Massachusetts.  The Oral Health Excellence Collaborative (OHEC) has implemented the SMILE Program to outreach to seniors through our local senior centers.

Volunteer SMILE Counselors are needed in most towns.  The program will provide oral health information plus local treatment resources and affordable care options through appointments and small group presentations.  Prospective volunteers should have about 4-6 hours available each month.  A health background is not required.  Upcoming training classes will be announced shortly.  Please contact SMILE Program Coordinator, Sonja Brewer, at 508/364-4512 or sboralhealthexcellence@yahoo.com.

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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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• 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)