logo

Barnstable County Human Services 
   E-Newsletter
Quick Links

 

 Accessibility Resource Center

 

In This Issue
Department Corner
Runners needed for the Falmouth Road Race
Mourning Reflections: Journaling Grief & Loss
Summer Food Service Program
Navigating LIfe's Transitions Discussion Series
Speaker on Transgender Rights
Managing Conflict
The State of Long Term Care Legislative Breakfast
26th Annual Evening By the Sea Auction
Runners needed for Children's Cove Team
Families in Transition Camp
News from NAMI Cape Cod
Independence House Challenge Grant
News from Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan
News from the Coalition for Children
News from the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod
Who's leading the Leading Health Indicators?
MASS 211 Information and Referral Resource for Families & Children
Online Resource Directory
MASS 2-1-1
Veterans Crisis Hotline
Samaritans Survivor Support Group
E-Newsletter Article Submissions
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
ISSUE: 91

June 28, 2013 

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.  For additional information visit the Department website at bchumanservices.net.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT CORNER

Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone (SHINE)

 

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services has been awarded a three year SHINE grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The SHINE Program is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers.   The SHINE Program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, social service and community based agencies and Councils on Aging. The program is partially funded by the federal agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service.

 

The SHINE Program assists elders and individuals with disabilities in understanding their Medicare and MassHealth benefits and other health insurance options. The SHINE program ensures that Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers have access to accurate, unbiased and up-to-date information about their health care options. This is a critical regional program that provides seniors and people with disabilities a local resource for assistance with the ever changing complexities of private and public health insurance.  

 

SHINE Counselors are available throughout the region at local Councils on Aging. SHINE counselors are available to meet with individuals in person through one-on-one counseling, via telephone, email and through public education presentations.

 

Through September 2013 the SHINE program office will continue to operate at the Yarmouth COA, Monday - Friday from 9 am - 3 pm. The telephone number is 508-394-9326.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                 
RUNNERS NEEDED FOR THE FALMOUTH ROAD RACE

For the third year, the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition has a team running the Falmouth Road Race on August 11, 2013.  In the past two years the team has raised over $40,000.00 for this important cause.   The funds have been used to support suicide prevention training and awareness events across the Cape and Islands.  We are  looking for additional members for CISPC Falmouth Road Race Team - the Coalition has already paid the $150.00 entry fee for guaranteed placement in the race, runners then seek sponsorship for the race from donors. 

 

Tim Lineaweaver is heading up the team for the Coalition again and will assist runners in a simple and easy fundraising process.  If you are interested in being part of the team contact Tim at tnt410@aol.com or by calling 508-524-7978.   Please help support an important Cape and Islands cause!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MOURNING REFLECTIONS: JOURNALING GRIEF AND LOSS

In this 8 week course, we will honor our memories of individuals and family that have touched our hearts and given our lives meaning.   Through writing we will explore, express, and honor our memories of our loved ones.  With the use of various writing prompts including poetry, music and objects, we will journal our experiences of loss. All levels of writers are welcome. Group will run for 8 weeks in Hyannis from 1-2:30 pm starting Tuesday July 9th,2013.  Please call for info and/or pre-register via contact w/facilitator, Brooks Reinhold, Bereavement Coordinator & B.A. Social Work 1990 for pre-registration at 508-778-1622 or brooks.reinhold@amedisys.com

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded nutrition program that provides FREE meals to children ages 18 and under when school is not in session. In Massachusetts, the SFSP is administered by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Summer meal sites are located in eligible areas throughout the state, and meals are often provided in conjunction with educational and recreational activities.

 

Click for more information on dates, times and location of the Summer Food Service Program in the towns of Dennis, Eastham, Chatham, Truro and Wellfleet.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NAVIGATING LIFE'S TRANSITIONS DISCUSSION SERIES

This four part series to include dialogue, speakers, educational videos and healthy living practices will run from Thursday, 7/11/2013 through 8/1/2013 from 10-11:30 AM.  Workshops with include the following topics: Coping with Loss, Change, and Life Stressors (July 11th), It's all about Independence: Healthy Living with Decreased Mobility (July 18th) Self-care Amidst a Changing Financial Climate (July 25th), and Supporting Families in End of Life Conversations (August 1st). Workshops will include discussion, speakers, writing, video learning, and healthy living practices.  All sessions are free of charge and open to all.   Please register by July 8th for entire series (recommended) or for any session by contacting: Brooks Reinhold, Beacon Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, 508-778-1622 or emailing brooks.reinhold@amedisys.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPEAKER ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS - FREE CEU'S

The LGBTQqIi and Allies group, a subcommittee of the Diversity Advisory Council at Advocates Inc. is hosting a free event on July 11 from 2-4:00 PM at Advocates, Inc., 1881 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA in Classroom E & F.

 

Ms. Nancy Nangeroni, an activist for Transgender Rights will be speaking about what affects transgendered people, with a special focus on people who are receiving services in community mental health settings. By all accounts Ms. Nangeroni, host of area radio show Gender Talk for eleven years, is an excellent presenter.  CEUs are available to those needing them.

 

Please RSVP to lkerner@advocatesinc.org or to the email or tel. number listed on the attached flyer as soon as possible.   

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MANAGING CONFLICT

Due to popular demand, Cape Mediation is conducting an additional workshop for professionals working with older adults on Managing Conflict on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 from 1-4 PM at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich - view flyer.  Registration will be on a first come/first served basis.  If you are interested, please email Katherine Wernier at reach@ciemss.org to confirm availability of spots and Katherine will assist with registration with Cape Mediation.

 

The Cape Consortium for Older Adults at Risk is partnering with Cape Mediation to provide 20 slots (at no charge to you) to professionals working with older adults.  This funding is made available by a grant from MASS Department of Public Health to prevent suicide through recognizing and managing depression.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE STATE OF LONG TERM CARE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

SAVE THE DATE - July 19, 2013, 8:00 - 9:30 AM at the Pavilion Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 876 Falmouth Rd., Hyannis.  Join Senator Dan Wolf and the Cape Cod delegation to discuss the impact of recent legislation on Nursing Home Reform.  Space is limited.  Please RSVP by July 15th to Cindy Parker, Admissions at 508/775-6663.  View flyer.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26TH ANNUAL EVENING BY THE SEA AUCTION

HopeHealth, formerly Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, is excited to announce its 26th Annual Evening by the Sea Auction will take place on Friday, July 26th at the Wianno Club in Osterville. This year's honorary chair is David Kuehn, Executive Director, Cotuit Center for the Arts. This elegant evening includes dinner and a live and silent auction. Enthusiasts from all over attend the auction every year to bid on exquisite original art and a variety of unique items.

 

This annual event sponsored by HopeHealth will continue to support local hospice provider and new healthcare services for the community. 

For information or to buy tickets to this elegant evening, please visit HopeHealthCo.org/events, call (508) 957-0254, or email giving@HopeHealthCo.org.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JOIN THE CHILDREN'S COVE TEAM FOR THE FALMOUTH ROAD RACE

Children's Cove has been awarded 15 numbers in the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 11, 2013.  This is a seven mile run along the shore from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights.  Join the Children's Cove team and be guaranteed a number.  As a member of the team Children's Cove will pay the registration fee and provide a race day shirt.  All team members are required to rise a minimum of $1,000.  Commitment is required by Friday, July 5th for registration purposes.  For additional information or to sign up please contact Katie at 508/375-0410 or kpartin@childrenscove.org

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FAMILIES IN TRANSITION CAMP

This is an exciting new opportunity for military families who are undergoing or have recently undergone a deployment.  The whole family is invited to spend a week at Smithfield Farms in East Falmouth, learning about and working with horses.  Dinner will be served each night and adults and children will break out into separate support groups after dinner.  There will be babysitting on site for families with children too small to participate.  This program is free thanks to a grant from Heroes in Transition.

 

Camp will be held August 12 - 16, 2013 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Smithfield Farms, 809 Sandwich Rd., East Falmouth.  If you are interested in registering or know of a family who might be, contact Kerry Bickford, Operation Military Kids Coordinator at kbickford@barnstablecounty.org or call 508/375-6695.  View flyer.

 

This program is offered in partnership with Operation Military Kids Cape Cod, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, UMASS Extension, Smithfield Farms and Heroes in Transition.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS FROM NAMI CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
  • National Conference on Mental Health was held at the White House on June 3rd as part of the Administration's effort to launch a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness about mental health.  Please explore www.mentalhealth.gov to learn more about the government's efforts regarding mental health.
  • Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament will be held on September 16, 2013 at the beautiful and challenging Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville.  More information will follow about the 2013 NAMI Cape Cod & the Islands Siobhan Leigh Kinlin Memorial Golf Tournament.
  • The next Family to Family course will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd from 6:30 - 9:00 PM in Barnstable Village.  This 12 week course is for family members of people withmental illness and teaches about the various illnesses, their symptoms & medications, and includes classes on empathy, problem solving, coping and communication skills, and self-care for the family member.  Registration is currently taking place.  For more information or to register contact NAMI Cape Cod at 508/778-4277 or email Ron Holmes at rholmes@namicapecod.org

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INDEPENDENCE HOUSE CHALLENGE GRANT

The Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund has generously awarded Independence House, Inc. with a Challenge Grant in the amount of $25,000.  In order to receive this contribution, Independence House must secure an additional $25,000 from donors, friends and supporters.  Are you up for the Challenge?  Every dollar you donate is matched and valued at double.  Your challenge grant gift will help Independence House complete much needed capital improvement projects.  Please say yes and donate to this challenge.  Click here to make a secure tax deductible online donation. 

 

Learn more about Independence House, Inc. by visiting www.independencehouse.org

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS FROM BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER HEALTHNET PLAN
  • Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan is partnering with 2-time Pro Bowl Linebacker Jerod Mayo for a new health awareness campaign aimed at teens and young adults to encourage them to visit their doctor at least once a year.  Visit Onceayear.org for more details.  
  • The Commonwealth Care program is ending on December 31, 2013.  Commonwealth Care will be replaced by a new set of plans and new ways to get help paying for a health plan beginning on January 1, 2014.  Starting in September or October members can call 1- 877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) for assistance.  Members can check for updates on the web at www.MAHealthconnector.org.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS FROM THE COALITION FOR CHILDREN

The Coalition for Children's job as CFCE (Coordinated Family and Community Engagement) coordinators and program specialists, is to keep you informed ab out Play & Learn groups, local resources and programs, developmental screenings and workshops, parenting classes, and brain building ideas and activities going on in the Falmouth, Bourne, Mashpee and Sandwich communities.  Parents and Educators from any community are welcome to attend workshops in each of the four Upper Cape towns unless otherwise noted.  Space is limited in some, especially parenting classes, so please make sure you call to register.

 

Many great summer programs are being offered so visit the Coalition for Children's website to view the calendar of events and activities.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS FROM THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CAPE COD
  • Summer camp opens on Wednesday, June 26th & the Club  is working hard to get the building ready.  Still looking for summer camp scholarship funds.  Send a check to BGCCC, call with your MC or Visa, or make a gift on the donation page online by clicking here.  The Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod is only open for children who are pre-registered for summer camp during the summer break.
  • 7th Annual Bass & Blues Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Friday, July 19th (rain or shine).  Sponsors are available. Click here for more information or call the B&G Club at 508/477-8845.
  • Mashpee Men's Club is holding a Giant Raffle to support the children and teens at the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod.  Only 400 tickets will be sold at $50 each.  Grand prize is $5,000 cash, 2nd prize is a 4 day get-away for four on Martha's Vineyard, 3rd prize is a 3-day sail for 2 on a Maine Windjammer, 4th prize is $1,000 and 5th prize is $500.  Winners will be drawn at the Mashpee Family Picnic & Fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 1 at Mashpee High School.  Winner need not be present to win.  To purchase a ticket or get more information call the B&G Club at 508/477-8845 or email the Men's Club at deane_turner@msn.com.

Visit the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod website for more information on activities and events.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHO'S LEADING THE LEADING HEALTH INDICATORS?

Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? webinar series.  This month, Healthy People 2020 focuses on Maternal, Infant, and Child Health and its two Leading Health Indicators: infant deaths; and preterm births. To learn more about maternal, infant, and child health, and one health network's success using data to drive programming around preterm births, as well as the three Healthy People 2020 webinars that will be held in July, please see this month's Healthy People bulletin.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 MASS 2-1-1 NEW INFORMATION AND REFERRAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN REQUIRING ASSISTANCE

Mass 2-1-1 is an information and referral service for children, youth and families offered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. EOHHS has contracted with MASS 2-1-1 Inc. to provide enhanced information and referral services to families and children who are dealing with challenging issues.

 

This program supports all families, including families who are involved with Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2012, also known as "Families and Children Engaged in Services" legislation. The legislation, which became effective in November of 2012, provides services for children who are runaways or truants, or children who are having serious problems at home and in school; the law also helps children who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

 

Families can dial 211 from any phone and be connected to a trained information and referral specialist, anytime of the day or night.

View the Mass2-1-1 brochure.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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.