Accessibility Resource Center

August 23, 2013 

Cape Cod Times, August 13, 2013:  Mass In Motion Tries to Keep Cape Kids Moving  

Decades of data showing American kids are too heavy have begun to change direction.  Here in Barnstable County, the Department of Human Services is trying to improve school nutrition and expand safe routes to schools.  Barnstable County is also working to increase residents' use of the wide network of pathways and bikeways.  They are also increasing the availability of healthy foods in food pantries and promoting increased use of these foods by pantry clients when preparing snacks and meals.  Read more ...

Two new reports have been recently released:

Report on Substance Abuse Treatment Statistics, Barnstable County Residents for state FY2007-2011 (July 2013).  This report provides enrollment (admission) data on substance abuse treatment for Barnstable County residents at programs licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (MDPH/BSAS).

American Community Survey: Poverty by Towns on Cape Cod (August 2013).  This report provides poverty data for FY2007-2011.

Both reports can also be found on the Department's website at www.bchumanservices.net under Department Reports and Publications.

The Cape & Islands United Way is pleased to announce that they will be accepting funding proposals for 2014 Community Investment Grants August 19 through September 30, 2013.  All 501(C)3 non-profit organizations, municipalities, or schools providing services in the following three key investment areas are eligible to apply:  Nurturing and Protecting Children and Youth, Supporting and Sustaining Families, Support for Aging and Vulnerable Populations.

Grant requests must be submitted online as one PDF file by 4 PM on September 30, 2013 in order to be considered for panel review.  The guidelines and grant application instructions are available on the Grants page of the C&I United Way website.

A public meeting for comments on the draft FY2012 Barnstable County HOME Consortium Annual report is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2013, 8:30 - 10:00 AM at the Cape Cod Commission, 3225 Main St. Barnstable, MA.  Barnstable County has completed its 2012 program year for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HOME program and is preparing its draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).  The CAPER serves as an annual report outlining the year's accomplishments and challenges for the program that is funded by HUD.    An electronic draft of the CAPER is available online at http://www.capecodcommission.org.  View the Public Meeting Notice in English, Spanish and Portuguese for more information.

Cape Cod Healthcare has released a Request for Proposals for the FY2014 Community Benefits grants cycle.  Up to $200,000 will be awarded through a competitive grant process with grant awards ranging up to a maximum of $30,000. Projects that align with the following funding guidelines are eligible:

• Positively impact chronic and infectious disease management.
• Expand access to health care services for vulnerable populations.
• Support initiatives targeted at individuals and families facing mental health issues.
• Support substance abuse prevention and intervention strategies.
• Address senior health challenges.
• Address health and at-risk behaviors among youth and young adults.

View the Request for Proposal document with all information related to the grant opportunity.  The RFP and the Word file versions of the required proposal attachments are also located on Cape Cod Healthcare's 

The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition will be holding a ceremony to commemorate National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8-14) at its next general membership meeting.  All are invited to attend as we remember those individuals lost to suicide and to support the friends and families left behind.

For those who would like to attend this special event, please arrive at the Barnstable Superior Courthouse, Rms 11/12, 3195 Main St., Barnstable by 11:15 AM on Thursday, September 12, 2013.  Once gathered, attendees will walk together to the front steps of the courthouse for the ceremony.  After the ceremony, all are welcome to attend the remainder of the Coalition's general membership meeting. 

General membership meetings take place on the second Thursday of every other month from 11:15 am -12:45 pm in Rms 11/12 of the Barnstable Superior Courthouse.  For more information visit http://suicideispreventable.net or email suicideprevention@capecoalition.com

Upcoming screening of the film "The Anonymous People" at the Cape Cod Mall Cinema on Thursday, September 12th at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $10.00 and can be reserved online.

The Anonymous People is a feature documentary film about the over 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction.   The moving story is told through the faces and voices of citizens, leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, public figures, and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them.  This passionate new public recovery movement aims to transform public opinion, engage communities and elected officials and finally shift problematic policy toward lasting solutions.

Movement Disorders:  What are They, by Dr. Samuel Frank

People with Parkinson's disease, family, professionals, and interested community members are invited to attend a FREE program sponsored by the Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod, to gain an understanding and learn more about the origins of Parkinson's disease on Friday, September 13, 2013 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM  at the YMCA Cape Cod, 2245 Route 132, West Barnstable, MA(seating begins at 10:30 am).  Reservations are required.  Please RSVP to the American Parkinson Disease Association Information & Referral Center at 800/651-8466 or register via email at information@apdama.org

Fall Fling

The Parkinson Support Network community is celebrating an evening of camaraderie, dining, entertainment and fun on September 22, 2013 from 4 - 7:00 PM at the Cape Codder Hotel, in Hyannis, MA.  The Fall Fling brings together families, friends and supporters to socialize with one another.  Entertainment is being provided by "Flip Side".  Tickets are $25 per person.  To reserve your tickets please mail checks to YMCA Cape Cod/PSN, 2245 Iyannough Rd., Rte 132, West Barnstable, MA  02668.  (Please include address, telephone and email address).

Join Team Hope Hospice on September 15th for a 62 mile bike ride along Route 6A from Sandwich to Provincetown.  A one hour boat ride delivers you back to Sandwich for a traditional Cape Cod Clambake.  For more information click here.

Each year innocent men, women and children are exploited in human trafficking schemes.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, is a leader in the global fight against trafficking. 

An informational workshop, presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be held on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Community Room at Cardi's Furniture, 999 Newport Ave. South Attleboro.  RSVP required.  See flyer for more information.

This workshop will help you learn more about the challenging behaviors that may be displayed by those with Alzheimer's or other dementias.  Become familiar with activities that are suitable for late stage Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 25th from 5 - 7:00 pm at The Pavilion, Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center, 876 Falmouth Rd., Hyannis.  RSVP to 877/257-3124 or cberman@capecod.com.  See flyer for more information.

Commonwealth Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the Health Care Workforce Transformation Fund RFP.  This RFP is designed to provide applicants with funds to support planning to address workforce challenges that occur as a result of the requirements of implementing Chapter 224.  Questions about the Request for Proposals will be accepted in writing and answers will be posted on a regular basis.  Please submit questions via email to Karen Shack at kshack@commoncorp.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling schedule beginning October 1, 2013 until June 1, 2014.  Please see the Request for Proposals for more information.

The Cape Cod & the Islands 1st Annual Behavioral Health Summit is being held on Friday, October 4, 2013

The summit will provide opportunities for networking and bridges the gaps in our community service system that create barriers to achieving sustained recovery for the people needing services.  View the brochure for more information and registration form.

Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caregiver Support Group is open to any LGBT caregiver, spouse, partner, sibling, parent or friend.  6-week group starts in the Fall of 2013. 

If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, come to this free, welcoming group.  Gain support and learn new coping strategies to better manage the stress of care giving.  Group is facilitated by Nancy Higgins, LICSW.  Participation is limited.  Call Maryanne Ryan at 508/255-6333 or email mryan@town.orleans.ma.us  for more information or to reserve a place now.

Brought to you by the Orleans Council on Aging with grant funding from the Cape Consortium for At Risk Older Adults.

Training is scheduled for October 21, 22, 28 & 29.  It is time to register!  Pay by September 21st and save $55.  Email info@capemediation.org today to reserve your place.

Cost is $550 ($495 if payment received by September 21st).  A limited number of partial scholarships available with help from the Peter Regan Scholarship Fund.

This program has been approved for 30 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure.  Approved as a Continuing Education course for licensed Mental Health Counselors.

For more information visit www.capemediation.org or call 508/240-1717.

2013 - 2014 Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Events Calendar is now available.  When registering for a workshop, please note that each event has tabs titled with information regarding the workshop, available CEs and cost.

Space is very limited for each workshop and fills up quickly, so please register early.

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 in our parenting classes, so please make sure you call to register. 

For information on workshops and classes view the Sept/Oct 2013 Newsletter.  Also visit the Coalition for Children website.

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services website find.bchumanservices.net features 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,  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.

• 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.

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.  

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