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In This Issue
Department Corner
Health & Dental Insurance Open Enrollment
News from SHINE
Grief or Loss Support Group
News from the Coalition for Children
Reducing Self-Harm Behaviors Training
News from Eastham Senior Center
Youth Education Support Program
Health Aging Forum
Human Trafficking Presentation
Shelter From the Storm Concert
Family Fun Night
Mass 211 offers Mental Health Screenings Online
VNA - Navigator Pilot Project
Online Resource Directory
MASS 2-1-1
Veterans Crisis Hotline
Samaritans Survivor Support Group
E-Newsletter Article Submissions
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ISSUE: 104

January 3, 2014


 
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

Barnstable County Mass in Motion and Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod recently teamed up to bring a Simple and Delicious Vegetable Recipes Cookbook and a colorful workbook to over 1,500 children in the town of Barnstable. 

 

         

 

Developed in Plymouth by Mass in Motion:  Healthy Plymouth and Jordan Hospital, the cookbook was localized to the Cape Cod region before being distributed to families in the town of Barnstable with children in kindergarten through third grade.  The interactive workbook distributed alongside the cookbooks was developed by Susan Bourque, Nutrition and Food Safety Educator for the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, to help encourage kids and their parents to have fun with their food.

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR NEW HEALTH & DENTAL INSURANCE

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. 

NEWS FROM SHINE - SERVING THE HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS OF EVERYONE

Can I still change my Medicare Plan?

 

For those with a Medicare Advantage Plan:

           Between January 1 and February 14, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare, but you cannot switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan. If you drop your Medicare Advantage plan during this period, you will be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your Original Medicare coverage and your prescription drug coverage will begin the first day of the month after your enrollment. You may also add a supplement (Medigap) at this time.

 

For those with Prescription Advantage or getting "Extra Help" paying for prescription drugs:

          You can change your plan anytime during the year. Those with Prescription Advantage can do this only once each year. Those with "Extra Help" can change every month.

 

Trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone...on Medicare) volunteers can help you! They offer free, confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. To schedule a SHINE appointment, call your local Senior Center. For other SHINE related matters, call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636), then press or say 3.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING GRIEF OR LOSS

Hope Community Care, part of the HopeHealth family of services, announced new community bereavement support groups beginning in January to be held in Falmouth, Hyannis and Orleans.

 

All support groups provide a safe, confidential and supportive setting for anyone experiencing loss or grief.  Programs are led by licensed professionals from hope Community Care with specialized training and extensive experience.  The new support groups are: Spousal Loss, Loss of an Adult Child, Loss of a Parent, Young Widow/Widowers and the Loneliness of Grief.

 

Advanced registration is required for all support groups.  For more information or to register please call 508/957-0244 for Falmouth or 508/957-0268 for Hyannis and Orleans. Read more ...

NEWS FROM THE COALITION FOR CHILDREN

Many wonderful workshops are planned for the next several months including:

  • January 13: Understanding the Special Education Law
  • February 10: Identifying Children with Disabilities
  • March 10: Including Children with Intellectual Disabilities into your Home or Child Care setting
  • April 14: Supporting Young Children with Autism in your Home or Child Care setting
  • Mobile Fresh Market for families in the Falmouth School District

Read the full newsletter.

 

The Coalition for Children is a grant program funded by the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care.

REDUCING SELF-HARM BEHAVIORS TRAINING
Using Cognitive Restructuring for PTSD to Reduce Self-Harm Behaviors, presented by Barent Walsh, PhD, January 13, 2014, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.  This workshop will provide an introduction to a new treatment for clients who have endured complex trauma.To register email [email protected] by January 6, 2014 or call 774/392-5420 for more information.  View flyer.
NEWS FROM THE EASTHAM SENIOR CENTER 

January events include (but are not limited to):

  • January 10, 10:30 AM: Barbecue Time, public welcome. Begins with musical program followed by the mid-winter barbecue.  Cost: $8, reservations and pre-payment required by 1/6/14. 
  • January 15, 12:00 PM: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors followed by a delicious Chinese food lunch.  Cost: $5, RSVP by 1/10/14.
  • January 24, 10:30 AM: Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself.  Please RSVP

To RSVP for all events call 508/255-6164.  For information on other activities visit the Eastham Senior Center website

YOUTH EDUCATION SUPPORT (Y.E.S.) PROGRAM
The Community Network of Cape Cod youth presentation with Jean Calvert will focus on alcohol and drug awareness among young people.  Event will take place on January 24, 2014 from 4-5:30 pm at Hyannis Youth & Community Center.

 

For more information contact: Sally-Ann Imes, M.Ed., Town of Barnstable Youth Services at 508-790-6345, ext. 109 or email [email protected]

HEALTHY AGING FORUM

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Massachusetts Health Policy Forum invite you to the fourth policy forum on healthy aging: Healthy Aging in the Commonwealth: Charting a Path Forward on Friday January 24, 2014 at the Newton Marriott. 

 

Click here for a conference agenda and to register for the forum.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A GLOBAL PROBLEM 

Each year innocent men, women and children are exploited in human trafficking.  The majority of these victims in the US are enslaved as agricultural workers, sex trade workers or domestic servants.

 

An informational program presented by the Department of Homeland Security will take place on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Barnstable Universalist Church on Rt. 6A in Barnstable.  There will also be a Pot-Luck dinner at 6 PM.  View flyer.

 

Please RSVP to [email protected] for the program and indicate if you plan to attend the pot-luck supper.

VALENTINE'S DANCE SPONSORED BY C.O.R.D.

Cabin Fever??  Join the Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled (CORD) for a Valentines Dance featuring the Crocodile Tears Band, on Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 6-10:00 PM at Carlton Hall, 1006 Old Bass River Rd. (6A end) in Dennis.

 

Admission: $15 per person.  Can't make it?  Donate a ticket back to CORD for their consumers.  Purchase tickets on-line at www.cilcapecod.org or call CORD at 508/775-8300 or 800/541-0282.  Tickets can also be purchased at Books by the Sea in Osterville, 874 Main St. View flyer.

 

Proceeds will help CORD continue to provide services to people with disabilities.

SHELTER FROM THE STORM CONCERT

Every year, high school and middle school students from across Cape Cod gather to learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Human Rights Academy (HRA) event in the Fall and go back to their schools and make change with a wide arrange of HRA projects to put hearts into Action.  View flyer.

 

Cape Cod Academy raises money through a concert featuring Cape Cod High School students.  Join Cape Cod Academy students on Friday, February 14, 2014 at Tilden Auditorium at Cape Cod Community College for the Shelter From The Storm Concert to support Cape Cod Veterans.  This event is organized by HRA students at Cape Cod Academy. 

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

You are invited to reserve a table at the next Family Fun Night on Friday, February 28th, 4-7:00 PM in the gym at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center.  Entertainment will be announced.

 

Email Sally-Ann Imes, M.Ed., Youth Services Coordinator, at [email protected] or call 508/790-6345 ext. 109 if you wish to reserve a table or if you know of a youth rock band.

SENIOR SERVICE CORPS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The RSVP/Senior Service Corps Volunteer Program of Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands connects volunteers age 55 and older with meaningful opportunities that match their skills and enthusiasm.  From building houses to educating children to protecting the environment to enhancing the capacity of non-profit organizations - RSVP Senior Service Corps volunteers are making a difference ... and you can too!  To find out more, contact Linda Merrill, Volunteer Coordinator, at 508/394-4630 ext. 522 or [email protected]

EASTER SEALS CAMP FRIENDLY

Easter Seals provides overnight summer camp opportunities for youth with disabilities between the ages of 8 to 22 years of age.  Camp programs take place at Starfish in Rindge New Hampshire.  Transportation to and from camp is available from Boston.  Financial aid is available to all families in need.

 

2014 Camp Date for Explorer Camp is August 19-24, 2014View flyer or to learn more or to register for camp please contact Colleen at 617/226-2636 or email [email protected] or visit

 

SEEKING MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVERS

Got wheels? Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands has an immediate need for Meals on Wheels drivers in Harwich, Orleans and Sandwich.

 

Meals are picked up at the nutrition site between 9:45 and 10:00 a.m.  Total time commitment is less than 2 hours per week. Please call Nancy Wolf, Volunteer Coordinator at 508-394-4630, ext. 430 for more information.

CAPE COD VOLUNTEERS

Become a member of Cape Cod Volunteers (CCV), the only agency whose mission it is to promote and support volunteerism on Cape Cod.  To learn more about tghe benefits of becoming a CCV member and to register visit www.ccvolunteers.org/membership/ or download and print the membership form  and send in by mail.  For questions call 508/362-0242.

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BARNSTABLE SENIOR CENTER
  • Bread Pick-Up Drivers: Pick up bread at Pain D'Avignon Bakery at 7:45 AM. Call Donna burns for more details at 508/862-4753.
  • Won't you entertain us?:  If you play the piano and have an hour once or twice each month, come play for some impromptu sing-a-longs.  Call Donna Burns for details at 508/862-4753.
  • Drive for the Silver Express Van Service: drivers needed to transport residents to doctors' appointments, grocery shopping and other local errands.  Call Judy Redd at 508/862-4752 for more information.
  • Brown Bag Food Program: once a month assist loading and unloading food items from a truck, bagging them and sometimes delivering the first Friday of every month to seniors enrolled in the Brown Bag program.  Call Claudia Borden at 508/862-4754 to volunteer.

For more information on activities at the Barnstable Senior Center visit their website.

MASS 211 OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS ONLINE

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 ...

NAVIGATOR PILOT PROJECT 

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.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ON-LINE RESOURCE

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.

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?  
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.  To locate services dial 211 or 1-877-211-MASS on your telephone or go to www.mass211help.org
  
Mass 2-1-1 also provides enhanced information and referral services to families and children who are dealing with challenging issues.  Families can dial 211 from any phone and be connected to a trained information and referral specialist, any time of the day or night.
  
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has designated Mass 2-1-1 as the official point of contact for receiving information during a time of crisis or weather emergency.
  
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 [email protected] or call 508/375-6626. 
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 [email protected] :
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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.