Accessibility Resource Center

November 1, 2013 

You are invited to attend the upcoming Cape Cod Bicycle Summit: Healthy Cyclists, Healthy Communities 

If you are interested in learning how to increase safety for bicyclists on the Cape and Islands, encourage more locals to use our beautiful pathways, and educate our communities on the economic, environmental, and personal benefits of cycling, please register for this event today!  Read more ...

Doors open at 8:30 a.m..  A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.  There is no fee to attend, but participants are asked to RSVP as limited space is available.

For more information or to register for this free event, please click here.

You are invited to attend a community forum ~ Coping with Depression and Suicide: The Role of the Community on Thursday, November 7, 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Hampton Inn, Route 28, Yarmouth.

Representatives from the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition, The Samaritans on Cape Cod & the Islands, the Department of Mental Health, the Youth Suicide Prevention Project, the Barnstable School District, NAMI Cape Cod and SAVE (Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment) will be on hand to talk about resources available in the community and provide an open forum for the community to talk about this important health issue.  Please distribute flyer to colleagues.

For more information contact Beth Albert at 508/375-6626.

Open Enrollment for New Health and Dental Insurance

Massachusetts residents can now apply for health and dental insurance during open enrollment: October 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014.  There are new plans and new ways to get help paying for health insurance.  Commonwealth Care consumers must re-enroll in new coverage.

Locally, Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & the Islands is available to inform and assist individuals on how they may qualify for affordable health coverage and help with enrollment in new programs or re-enrollment in existing programs.  To set up an appointment or for more information contact CACCI at 508/771-1727 or walk in at 372 North St., Hyannis.

Individuals can also seek enrollment assistance online at MAhealthconnector.org or call 1-877-623-6765 for questions, help completing an application, and a list of Navigators in your area. 

Cuts in SNAP benefits go into effect on November 1, 2013, so the SNAP benefit amount will be less in November and each month after.  This is a permanent benefit cut. 

SNAP benefits are based on monthly income and expenses and household size.  Actual benefit cuts will vary according to individual households.

For more information view flyer in English and Spanish.

Cape Cod is a great place to raise a family, however, real challenges face the next generation of Cape Cod's workforce and residents.  From 2000 to 2010 there was a 26 percent decline in Barnstable County residents between the ages of 25 to 44.  If current trends continue, Cape Cod communities could experience a vacuum of wealth in culture, spirit and revenue.

The Cape Cod Young Professionals have launched a survey which aims to create a plan to identify priorities to be addressed to improve the lives of Cape Codders and grow the 25-44 demographic.  Please take the Shape the Cape survey and be entered for a chance to win one month's rent or mortgage payment up to $2,000.

Caring for the Caregiver: Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Caring for your Loved One at Home

16th Annual Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services Awareness Conference: What We Know Now, on Friday, November 8th, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton of Cape Cod.  The conference will cover topics including: Research results on tracking the causes of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, stimulating memory with music and practical therapies, identifying "memory busters" and exercises to improve memory, knowing when and how to transition from the driver's seat to the passenger seat. 

All are welcome.  Conference fee is $115 and provides 6 CEs, all printed materials and lunch.  Vendor tables also available.  Click here to download the pamphlet or for more info.

• 11th Annual Schizophrenia Education Day:  How Recent Advances in Treatment Can Help Improve the Lives of Patients and their Families is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th, 9:15 a.m. registration, 10-3:15 p.m. program at the Starr Central Auditorium, Mass General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St., 2nd Floor, Boston MA.  Click here for more information and to register.
• Research study in need of siblings of people with mental illness:  Rebekah Zincavage, a doctoral student at Brandeis University is looking for volunteers to participate in her research study on adult siblings of individuals with mental illness for her dissertation.  Please contact her at rzincavage@brandeis.edu for more information.
• International Report:  Schizophrenia & Integrated Care,  a report released on World Mental Health Day, October 10th, international experts have called for a more comprehensive recovery-based approach towards the management and care of people living with schizophrenia, enabling them to be better integrated into their communities.  Read the full story.

• Analyze, Prioritize, Optimize at Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod on November 13 at the Resort and Conference Center, Hyannis.
• Volunteer Coordinators Roundtable meeting, Tuesday, December 3, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center or Wednesday, December 11, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at the Mashpee Public Library. RSVP.

Lower Cape LGBT Seniors (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender adults 55 years of age and over) will meet on Friday, November 22nd from 6-8:00 PM to celebrate with friends and share a Thanksgiving Meal & refreshments.  Cost: Donations gladly accepted.  RSVP to Maryanne Ryan at the Orleans Senior Center at mryan@town.orleans.ma.us or call 508/255-6333 ext. 16 for more information.

INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE DAY

International Survivors of Suicide Day will be held on Cape Cod on Saturday, November 23rd at Community Health Center of Cape Cod, 107 Commercial St., Mashpee from 12 Noon - 4:00 PM.  Lunch will be served.  A day of healing and support for those bereaved by suicide.  View flyer.  For more information and to register contact Maura Weir, yspp@chcofcapecod.org or 774/392-5420.

Event sponsored by the C&I Suicide Prevention Coalition, Community Health Center of Cape Cod, C&I Youth Suicide Prevention Project, & the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Funded by the MA Department of Public Health.

• You are invited to WE CAN's Celebratory Annual Meeting Honoring their Volunteers on Wednesday, December 4, 5-7:00 p.m. at the West Dennis Yacht Club, 259 Loring Ave., West Dennis.  Appetizers, complimentary WE CAN wines and sparkling water and a cash bar will be offered along with a live Performance of "A Day in the Life of WE CAN".  RSVP volunteer@wecancenter.org requested by Wednesday, November 27th or call 508/430-8111.
• WE CAN has three types of 1:1's: legal, financial and work support.  For more information on workshops and other activities visit the WE CAN website.

The Cape Cod Foundation is partnering with Third Sector New England on a new employee compensation and benefits survey designed to provide data on current nonprofit pay and benefits practices across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. And we need your help to make this effort a success.

Please help us collect the most current and comprehensive compensation data possible by completing the Valuing Our Nonprofit Workforce survey.

Read more ...

A peer run organization on Cape Cod offers:

 Peer Spirituality Group

Spirituality a challenge for persons' with mental illness?

Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month November 12th & 26th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the

Conference Room at the Hyannis Transportation Center (Bus Station), 215 Iyannough Rd Hyannis

Peers in Motion Group

Challenge yourself to grow in your recovery as you work with your peers in growing the new peer organization Dance in the Rain.

Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month November 21st from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Conference Room at the Hyannis Transportation Center (Bus Station), 215 Iyannough Rd.

No experience required!

For more information contact Mary Munsell at 508/367-6488. 

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

Mass 211 is offering free, anonymous mental health screenings online.  This program is an an easy way for people to monitor their mental health and learn about local treatment options.  Although online screenings are not diagnostic, they do provide valuable insight helping to identify if someone is exhibiting symptoms association with depression and other mood disorders and if they should seek help.  Read more ...

The purpose of the project is to improve access to information and the coordination and delivery of home based long term services and supports for residents of Cape Cod aged 18 and over who have chronic health conditions and disabilities, regardless of income.  The Navigator Pilot does not duplicate existing programs and services and is FREE.  To be connected to a Navigator call 508/957-7629.  Click to download program flyers for the community and for professionals.

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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