Accessibility Resource Center

November 15, 2013 

Please welcome Jessica McHugh, Project Assistant to the Department of Human Services.  Jessica will be working on a variety of projects including Mass in Motion and is the point person for our on-line Resource Directories find.bchumanservices.net.

Other big news.... the Department recently moved from the Superior Courthouse to newly renovated office space at the top of the hill at the County Complex. The office is on the second floor of the renovated gym which is located next to the Harborview Conference Room and the 'old jail'. Stop by and visit us in our new digs!  

Barnstable County Human Rights Commission invites you tot he 2013 International Human Rights Day Breakfast on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 8:00 AM at the Brazilian Grill, 680 Main St. Hyannis.  The breakfast is free but seating is limited.  Please RSVP by December 7th at 508/375-6912 or hrc@barnstablecounty.org.  View flyer.

The Human Rights Commission seeks award nominees for the Cornerstone Award and the Rosenthal Community Champion Award.  Do you know someone who has put extra effort into ensuring human rights for his or her neighbors?  If so, the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission would like to hear about it.

Read more ...

Harbor Community Health Center invites all Cape Cod providers and consumers to an Affordable Care Act Community Enrollment Fair at Cape Cod Community College on Saturday, December 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity for all the Cape Cod financial counselors and agencies to get together in one place to help the transition for those who need affordable health insurance.  For many in the community, this event will be a "last chance" occasion to complete the ACA application process.  No need to register - this will be a walk-in event.

If you would like to participate as a financial counselor with enrollment or as a sponsor, please contact Cheila Mageste at Harbor Community Health Center, Hyannis at 508-778-5498.

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. 

The Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Report and Implementation Plan for Fiscal Years 2014 - 2016 is now available.  It can be downloaded from Cape Cod Healthcare's website: www.capecodhealth.org/who-we-are/community/community-benefits/. 

Features of the CHNA Report and Plan include:

• Data on the health status of Barnstable County residents with accurate comparisons to state and national benchmarks
• Identified significant health needs and vulnerable populations
• Community Benefits programs, hospital planning activities and community assets available to address significant health needs

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 matching donations from donors, friends and supporters. Your donation will help complete capital improvement projects.  Please consider donating at https://indhouse.ejoinme.org/challengegrant

Sponsor a Family for the Holidays. Client families are in need of sponsors who will help make their holiday special. If you are interested please call Independence House at 508/771-6507 to help coordinate information that will help you purchase a family's gifts. If you are not able to sponsor a family unwrapped new toys for children of all ages (babies through teens).

Cotuit Center for the Arts presents two performances of poetry by the nationally recognized Excelano Project on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  100% of the ticket sales will benefit Independence House and WE CAN.  Visit the Excellano Project page at Cotuit Center of the Arts to get tickets. 

Health & Wellness Workshops

Coping with Grief During the Holiday Season Discussion Group:  Tuesdays, December 3 - January 7, 9:30 - 11:00 AM.  RSVP at 508/778-1622 x115

Seasonal Affective Disorder Discussion Group: December 11, 10 - 11:00 AM.  RSVP to 508/862-4761

Family Law Overview Workshop: Monday, December 16, 5-7pm, Cape Cod Community Media Center, 17 Shad Hole Road, Dennis Port .  Workshop will provide an overview of legal terms, as well as information on child custody, guardianship, divorce, and other family legal matters; time will be set aside for Q & A.  View flyer.

INFO SESSION- From Surviving to Thriving: Tuesday, December 17, 5:30-6:30pm WE CAN Conference Room, 783 Route 28 Harwich Port.  If you are interested in exploring your values, setting new goals for yourself, and developing a set of skills to help you achieve those goals, please come to the information session to hear more about this program.  View flyer.

Divorce Support Group: Wednesday evenings January 8 through February 26, 2014, 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Harwich Community Center.  The group will be limited to 12 women and will be a closed group to provide a safe place where women may develop rapport and provide support and healing for one another. The group will be facilitated by a mental health professional.  Reimbursement for child care is available with advance registration.  View flyer.

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 ...  Deadline for survey responses has been extended to December 18th.

Dementia Certificate Program: Advanced Problem Solving: Challenges in Alzheimer's Care: December 18, 12:30 - 4:30 PM, Hope Health Office, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis.   Program is designed for those professionals looking to advance their clinical skills to solve problem behaviors associated with Alzheimer's and dementia both at home and in the work place. View more information.

23rd Annual Tree of Memories Ceremonies:  Trees in 18 communities will be adorned with lights and scallop shells inscribed with the names of family and friends being honored.  To give a shell contact Katie Mueller at 508/957-0254 or giving@HopeHealthCo.org.  Sponsorship opportunities also available.

5th Annual Polar Bear Plunge:  January 1, 2014, Registration 11:00 AM, Plunge at Noon at new location - Red River Beach, Harwich MA.  Sponsorship opportunities available.  Call Catherine Oldham at 774/487-3663 for more information.

Attention First Time Home Buyers:  Lottery for 2 new homes - Levi's Path, South Chatham.  Information Session will be held Thursday, December 5 at 5:30 PM at the Chatham Community Center, 702 Main St., Chatham.  Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 14, 2014.  View flyer for more information.  For an application call 508/771-5400 ext. 282 or email ccre@haconcapecod.org.

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.  

• 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)