Accessibility Resource Center

January 31, 2014

Barnstable County Department of Human Services Awarded Innovative Grant to Promote Health,

Cut Health Care Costs

January 27, 2014 - Barnstable County Department of Human Services leads one of nine partnerships to share $42 million in first-in-the-nation initiative announced by Patrick Administration.

A community-based partnership led by the Barnstable County Department of Human Services is one of nine such partnerships in the Commonwealth to receive funds in an innovative health and wellness initiative, the Patrick Administration announced today.  The Administration announced more than $40 million in grants that will be shared by nine partnerships to help fight chronic illness and improve health outcomes on the community level while reducing health care costs.  Part of the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, this first-in-the-nation effort is part of a $60 million grant over four years created by the Legislature and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  The Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund supports community-based partnerships in achieving measurable health goals through research-based interventions.  Read more ...

The Cape Cod & Islands Annual HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Application for homelessness funds for the region is available for review prior to submission to HUD as required.

All projects applying for renewal and new funds have been accepted (no projects were rejected).  All applicants were notified on January 17, 2014 that projects were accepted.

View attachments:

CoC Application Part 1 - CoC Structure

CoC Application Part 2 - Data Collection and Quality

CoC Application Part 3 - CoC Strategic Planning

CoC Application Part 4 - CoC Performance

Project Priority Listings FY2013

Continuum of Care Application Ranking Process

For more information contact:

Caronanne Procaccini

Director of Compliance & Client Self Sufficiency

Community Action Committee of Cape & Islands, Inc.

372 North Street

Hyannis, MA  02601

508/771-1727 ext. 236

cap@cacci.cc  

SAVE THE DATE

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. 

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.

February 5: CCV Website Training for staff & volunteers of Cape Cod nonprofits at the Mashpee Public Library - learn about volunteer recruitment.

March 12: Volunteer Coordinator Roundtable, Mashpee Public Library

April is National Volunteer Month.  Contact Cape Cod Volunteers to plan your volunteer projects.

For additional information Read more ... or visit the Cape Cod Volunteers website. 

• Divorce Boot Camp: West Barnstable,
  February 1, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM. View flyer
• Work Support Group - first Tuesday of the month at WE CAN, 783 Route 28 in Harwich Port.  February 4th is the next meeting.  This on-going monthly group is for women seeking to find or create sustainable work on Cape Cod. View flyer
• Family Law Overview Workshop: Falmouth on February 26th, 6 - 8:00 PM. View flyer
• Financial Empowerment Program: On-going 1:1 sessions are for women who want to plan for their future and insure financial health as well as those currently struggling with financial issues or concerns. View flyer

For questions or to register for a group call 508/430-8111 or email info@wecancenter.org

Dementia 101: What You Need to Know About Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Presented by Patricia Collins, certified dementia practitioner, Director of Family & Community Outreach

2014 Schedule

Orleans Council on Aging: February 6, 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Bourne Council on Aging: February 25, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Nantucket Cottage Hospital, March 11, 1:30 - 3:00 PM

To learn more, call 508/775-5656 or email info@HopeDementia.org or visit www.HopeDementia.org

This forum is presented by the League of Women Voters on Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 10:00 AM - 12 Noon at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich Center.

Mental illness is the leading cause of disability worldwide.  The Affordable Care Act requires that benefits for mental health services must be on par with those for physical health services.  Join the conversation: How is the Cape Cod Community doing?  View flyer for more details.

The Barnstable Parents for Prevention, through the support of the Barnstable Public Schools, is hosting an informational forum on alcohol and drug education to parents and community members.

The Forum will be held on Monday, February 10, 2014 from 7 - 8:30 PM at the Barnstable Intermediate School, 895 Falmouth Rd (route 28), Hyannis, MA.  Brenda Conlan, a local prevention specialist will be addressing parents and offering strategies to effective parent/child communication and keeping your kids drug free.  Brenda's approach is straightforward and lively, making parents comfortable with a topic that is so serious.

The even is free and all are welcome to attend.  For more information please contact Tricia McDonald-Spillane at 508/360-7981.  View flyer.

Caregiver Support Program of Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands

Men's Only Caregiver Support Group:  1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30 - 11:00 AM.  to enroll, please contact Frank Riley @ 508/394-4630. 

General Caregiver Support Group:  2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 9:30 - 11:00 AM.  To enroll please comtact Beth Gilmore @ 508/394-4630 ext 450

The SMP Program Regional Advisory Council meeting for Cape Cod & the Islands is scheduled to be held at Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, Inc., 68 Route 134, South Dennis on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 9 - 10:30 AM.

You are invited to inform and guide the MA SMP Program's efforts to raise the awareness of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, family members, caregivers and professionals about preventing healthcare errors, fraud and abuse.  View flyer for more details.

The Hyannis Recovery Connection Center (RCC) is an exciting new option for peers (people with lived experience with a mental health diagnosis or substance abuse) at any stage of recovery.  View flyer.  For more information and program details view the RCC brochure.

Join the Southeast Recovery Learning Community for a Waves of Wellness Hyannis RCC Open House on February 20, 2014 from 4 - 7:00 PM at 45 Plant Road, Suite 119, Hyannis, MA. View invite.

The Barnstable Public Schools Tower Grant is sponsoring an informational forum on Anxiety in Children: Symptoms and Successful Treatment on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 6 - 8:00 PM at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 3055 Main St. in Barnstable.  You do not need to be a Barnstable resident to attend.  Read more ...

For additional information, please contact Bob McKay; Barnstable Tower Grant Coordinator; McKay_Robert@barnstable.k12.ma.us  

To celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month, Harbor Community Health Center, Hyannis and Ellen Jones Community Dental Center, Harwich are hosting Open Houses with free dental screenings for children under age 18 on March 1 and March 8.  The clinics are delighted by the receipt of additional support which will  allow them to offer FREE fluoride treatments as well - especially important here on the Cape where none of the towns derive the benefits of community water fluoridation.  There are only 25 slots open in each location, so please make appointments as soon as possible by calling Harbor Health Services at 508 778-5400.  View flyer.

Families with children who have experienced the death by suicide of a parent, sibling or guardian are invited to register for a day of mentorship, support and group activities on March 8, 2014 at Comfort Zone Camp in Milton, MA.  This one-day program is designed to: break the isolation families of suicide loss often feel, introduce peers who can personally relate to your loss, provide mentorship and professional therapeutic services, identify healthy coping skills for managing grief.

In addition to traditional camp activities, campers and their mentors attend age-based support groups where they can talk about their experiences and receive support and validation from peers.  Read more ...

Visit comfortzonecamp.org to complete an application by January 31, 2014.

This Community Wellness Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Henry T. Wing School, 33 Water St. in Sandwich.   For more event information and application for sponsors, exhibitors and vendors click here.

For questions contact Lauren Melillo at 508/888-9525 or lmelillo@sandwich.k12.ma.us

February 1, 11 AM - 2 PM:  Annual Valentine Bake Sale and Silpada Jewelry Party to benefit Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services, at Emeritus of Cape Cod, 790 Falmouth Rd., Hyannis

March 28, 5 PM: Roll the Rock Bowling Tournament by Cape Cod Charitable FundRaisers at Ryan Family Amusements, South Yarmouth

May 18, 9 AM: HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer's on the Cape Cod Canal

Visit the HopeHealth website for more information.

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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