Accessibility Resource Center

November 7, 2014

Have you heard about the new Barnstable County Behavioral Health web portal?  It's a fantastic tool for our community providing critical information, communication, and advocacy tools with a single point of entry.

One of the key features of the new portal is a comprehensive Service Directory with over 100 services. This Service Directory enables consumers to easily locate the local programs and services they need most.

But to make a Service Directory most effective, it needs to be complete, comprehensive, and up-to-date. Thus, several community organizations and coalitions provided their expertise and assistance in order to pre-populate the Service Directory before it launched in late September. This fantastic team was able to initially identify over 100 services, but chances are there are just as many organizations that still need to be added.

That's where you come in!

If your organization isn't listed in the Behavioral Health Service Directory yet, don't worry: it's super easy to include your agency's information. Likewise, if your organization is already included but you would like to tweak or update the information currently listed, that's very straightforward too.

To learn more about editing or adding your organization to the Behavioral Health Service Directory, please check out this quick online tutorial!

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHCD) has just increased the benefits a household can get under LIHEAP (the fuel assistance program), which opens its doors November 1st.  The full table of benefits, which vary by heating source and household income, can be found at http://www.mass.gov/hed/docs/dhcd/cd/liheap/fy15liheap-incomeeligibilityandinitialbenefitlevels.pdf

The maximum benefit for those who heat with oil or propane/kerosene is $1,025, if income is less than 100% of the poverty level.  The maximum benefit for those who heat with electricity or gas is $700.  Check the table for complete details.

Medicare's Open Enrollment period for Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) starts on October 15th and ends on December 7th for 2015 plan choices. 

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is made available through the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs to provide free and unbiased counseling services for medicare beneficiaries, their family members, caregivers and representatives.  Certified SHINE Counselors are available at local senior centers and other locations throughout the Cape & Islands.  The regional SHINE office can be reached at 508/375-6762 or SHINE@barnstablecounty.org

Members who are currently enrolled with Commonwealth Care, MSP, Temporary coverage, or a QHP will need to re-apply by December 31, 2014 to avoid a loss of coverage.

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.

Navigators will be available for application assistance in our Falmouth Office, Jones Rd. 8am-4pm 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, and 11/25 or the Falmouth Service Center 10am-2pm 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, and 11/18 by appointment only.

~Work Support Monthly  (November 4th & the 1st Tuesday each month)  In Collaboration with CDP: Starting and Growing Your Business

~Simple Estate Planning  (November 13, 2014)  Small group of those seeking information on putting together a simple will & estate planning. 

~Family Law Overview (November 19, 2014)  Everything You Wanted to Know about Family Law but Were Afraid to Ask

~Divorce Boot Camp (December 6, 2014) At this workshop, learn about your rights, preparation, and steps to take. 

~Surviving-to-Thriving Info Session (December 16, 2014)  Information session on 8 week series with Certified Life Coach, Maggie French.

~Divorce Support Group  (January - February 2015)  An 8 session divorce support group led by a mental health professional.

In January 2013 WE CAN moved to their new offices on Route 28 in Harwich Port.  WE CAN now has more women contacting them for services and support, and plan to add 3 additional offices to accommodate the increase in program activity, volunteers and staff.  WE CAN has launched the "Keeping Our Commitment" Campaign to raise $250,000 to improve the quality and reach of services,  support the increasing numbers of volunteers, strengthen and build collaboration throughout the Cape and better provide services and document outcomes using improved technology and expand the physical office space.

The Cape & Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition and Cape Cod Community College's Students Achieving Recovery Together

will host Craig Miller on Thursday, November 13 at 5:30 pm in Lecture Hall B of the Science Building at Cape Cod Community College.  View flyer.

Craig Miller will also share his story of resiliency and hope at Nantucket High School, 10 Surfside Rd. on November 12, 6:30-8:00 PM.  View flyer.

This year, six Falmouth Congregations are co-sponsoring the Upper Cape Alternative Gift Market on Saturday, November 15 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) and Sunday, November 16 (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.).  The market will take place in the Parish Hall of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Main Street in Falmouth.

Residents of Falmouth and surrounding towns will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for their friends and loved ones from the 2014 AGM Shopping List.  These gifts actually are donations to local and international charities that reflect our values. Last year's AGM raised over $45,000 for two dozen organizations.  This year, Gosnold on Cape Cod  is one of twenty participating  non-profit organizations.

The AGM Shopping List will include gift choices from Gosnold, with two gift levels: $25 contributes to a drug/alcohol prevention presentation for 25 students and  $50 contributes to a family support workshop for ten families affected by addiction.

Please see attached flyer for a description of the Gosnold giving levels.  For more information, please contact Gosnold's Prevention Division at 508-540-2317.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease

Awareness Month 

On November 18, 2014 individuals can take advantage of free confidential memory screenings as part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative to promote proper detection of memory problems.  Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services, part of HopeHealth's family of services, will provide memory screenings at 12 locations across southeastern Massachusetts.  Screenings will be held at senior centers in Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Mashpee, New Bedford, Orleans, Plymouth, Sandwich and Yarmouth.  Read more ...

For more information call 508/775-5656 or visit www.HopeDementia.org

For millions of Americans, pain compromises their ability to function.  Even the most basic tasks of daily living, work, and leisure can overwhelm.  That's why learning to reduce one's pain through self-management of symptoms is so important. 

At the next Healthy Living Series presentation, members of Spaulding's clinical team will explain their patient-driven, therapy-based approach to pain management.  Jay Rosenfeld, MD, Donna Klein-Erdman, OTR/L, Karen Messier-Funk, MSPT, Darren Leveille, PTA, and Jill Dulmaine, LICSW will present Pain Rehabilitation: A Therapeutic Approach  on Tuesday, November 18 at 3:00 PM in the cafe at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, 311 Service Road, East Sandwich.   Seating is limited and pre-registration required.  Please call 508/833-4210 to register.  Read more...

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod will host A Wine, Beer & Food Tasting on Thursday, November 20, 5:30 - 8:00 PM at 30 Bates Road in Mashpee Commons (the former New Balance Storefront next to Stop & Shop).

Event will include fun, food, drink & entertainment, along with a silent auction to start your holiday shopping.  Over 30 wines, beers & speciality drinks along with food from 12+ restaurants & caterers.  Tickets are $30 through November 19th and $35 at the door.  Read more.....    Register now!

Veterans are special to this great land of America. At Covenant On The Rock Family Church we want to say a special thank you to our Veterans. 

If you are a Veteran we would love to have you join us on Friday, November 20, 2014 at 4:00 pm at Covenant On the Rock Family Church, 45 Plant Road, Hyannis when we host a Thanksgiving Dinner to celebrate the heroes that has keep our freedom intact.  Veterans and their families will enjoy our Thanksgiving menu along with trumpeter, Edson Rodgers a retired Navy musician, violinist, Cesar Atzic, and more entertainers.

The favor of a reply is requested by November 10, 2014 to 508-790-1910.  If you are not a Veteran, will you pass this word on?

Harnessing the power of relationships

to support positive youth development and the vibrancy

and health of the community

Sponsored by Bank of America, Mass Mentoring Partnership invites you to join a panel presentation and facilitated discussion to celebrate what is happening in the mentoring field and a time to consider new and innovative practices.  E vent will take place on Friday, November 21, 2014, 8:30 - 10:3 AM at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth.

Learn about the latest research, hear from mentoring and youth serving organizations throughout the Cape, discuss innovative practices, network with other colleagues and contribute your ideas and energy to the development for the community and programs.

Please register by Friday, November 10, 2014.

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod and the Cape Cod Justice for Youth Collaborative will host the Art of Recovery Exhibit in the Center's Board Room Gallery from November 19-30, 2014, with a reception on Friday, November 21st from 5-7 P.M. followed by a related Poetry Reading from 7-8 P.M.  The Cultural Center is located at 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth.

Artists are invited to submit work that reflects or is the result of a personal recovery from a physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional trauma ... or from any debilitating experience.  For more information about the Art of Recovery Exhibit visit http://cultural-center.org/ccevents.html or contact Lauren Wolk at 508/394-7100 or lwolk@cultural-center.org.

On Saturday, November 22, 2014 dozens of volunteers will spend their morning at 18 Falmouth liquor stores placing 10,000 stickers on wine and beer bags and putting up posters.  The stickers and posters have a common message: "Parents Who Host Lose the Most: Don't be a party to teenage drinking."

The objective is to encourage customers not to purchase alcohol for minors, and to remind them that it is illegal to do so.  It also reminds parents not to host parties where alcohol is available to underage youth - especially celebratory times such as homecoming, holidays, prom and graduation.  This is the third year that every liquor store in Falmouth will be participating.

Project Sticker Shock is a national campaign aimed at reducing underage drinking by limiting youth access to alcohol.  The goal is to educate adults about the law that prohibits furnishing alcohol to minors.

For more information on how to discuss underage drinking with teenagers, please visit www.falmouthprevention.org

Anyone interested in volunteering for the event should contact Kit O'Connor, Falmouth Prevention Partnership, 508/540-2317.

Community Impact General Grants:  Grants up to $5,000 to address emerging opportunities, launch creative initiatives, and to cover costs of small, one-time projects.  Deadline is rolling but applications must be received by November 15 in order to be considered in that same calendar year.

The Falmouth Fund:  Grants to support organizations that are responsive to community needs and opportunities, work in collaboration with others, think innovatively in their solutions, work strategically to improve quality of life and serve the people of the Town of Falmouth.  Deadline is December 15.

Thomas C. McGowan Fund for Animals:  To support animal welfare and protection on Cape Cod and the Islands.  Deadline is rolling but applications must be received by December 10 in order to be considered in that same calendar year.

For a listing of all available grant programs through the Cape Cod Foundation, with deadlines and links to online applications, click here.  For more information and questions regarding the Foundation's grant programs please email Dara Bryan at dbryan@capecodfoundation.org

Healthy Living Cape Cod is looking for organizations and volunteers to lead My Life, My Health, a 2 1/2 hour workshop that meets for 6 weeks.  The workshop is designed for adults living with a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and more, as well as adults who care for someone with a chronic condition.

The leader training is a four day training designed to equip individuals with the skills and information necessary to successfully lead the workshop.  This training will be held December 3, 4, 10 & 11, 2014 from 8:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. and is free to non-profit leaders who commit to leading 1 class within 6 months of the training.  Application deadline: November 19, 2014.  Read more...

Contact Gina Kupski/Mary Devlin at 508/957-7620 or healthylivingcapecod@gmail.com for more information.

Please join Caron Treatment Centers for a one of a kind evening with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra at the New England Conservatory - Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Ave., Boston on Saturday, December 6, 2014.  7:00 PM pre-concert meet & greet, concert begins at 8:00 PM.  Concert Tickets - $35, Concert Ticket with meet & Greet event (includes light refreshments) - $50. View flyer.

For more information or to purchase tickets contact Trudy Avery at 617/895-9656 or TAvery@Caron.org or visit www.Caron.org/LSO

Mother/Woman Support Group ~ Circle of Moms for pregnant and postpartum women and their babies up to 1 year old.  Talk with other moms about the adjustment to motherhood at all levels, balancing day-to-day self and baby care, the range of feelings from depression, anxiety & overwhelming love & joy. 

Group meets on Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Northside Methodist Church, 701 Airline Road, Brewster/Dennis Line.  Enrollment is ongoing - registration requires.  View flyer.  For more information and to register call 508/775-6240 ext 512.

Are you a nonprofit executive or board member on Cape Cod?  You are invited to participate in Leadership New England, a survey of executive leadership.

Third Sector New England, with support from foundations and nonprofits across New England, is launching a new study on the state of nonprofit leadership in our region.  The survey will investigate current challenges of executive directors and board members, discover where they are headed and document what supports are needed to move their organizations forward.  The survey will be open until November 2014.

The Cape Cod Foundation is encouraging local organizations to complete the survey to ensure that we have region-specific information.

Immediate openings in the Bridge Back to Work Program for adults 55 or older who want to return to work.  The Mature Workers Program provides paid internship positions for income-eligible people.  Use your skills and learn new ones at a local nonprofit organization or government agency.  Work 20 hours a week and gain work experience for employment in the work force again.  This Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a Department of Labor, federally funded program.  For more information call Carol ext. 542 or Cheryl, ext. 540 at Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands at 508/394-4630 or 800/244-4630.

Host Agencies Wanted.  The Mature Workers Program is recruiting host agencies (nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies) for the Bridge Back to Work Program.  Participants provide an invaluable resource while developing relevant work skills.  For over 30 years participants have provided thousands of community service hours to host agencies throughout Cape Cod & the Islands.  For more information contact Cheryl Gayle, Program Director at 508/394-4630 ext. 540 or cheryl.gayle@escci.org.

Trying to quit smoking but need a little extra help?  Call 1-800-943-8284 for tips on how to quit smoking and how to stay tobacco free.  New tips are used every day!  Here's a quit tip to get you started:  The night before your quit date, make sure to get rid of all your cigarettes, cigars, cigarette butts, ashtrays, and matches.  Doing this symbolizes your determination to quit.  It will be easier for you if there are no reminders of smoking and no easy access to tobacco.

If you need to speak to a live person after hearing the pre-recorded quit tips or at any time, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to begin your journey as a non-smoker.

October was National Drug Prevention Month.  Representatives of local prevention initiatives said that they have increased their efforts, with success, because of a more open community.  As the epidemic has continued in New England, Patricia Mitrokostas, director of prevention at Gosnold on Cape Cod, said that she has seen a shift in the local dialogue.  "Everyone knows someone affected" she said.  With the shift in thinking, the community has been more open to the ideas of prevention she said.  

Ms. Mitrokostas is leader of the new Gosnold Prevention Division, a program announced in January that now has counselors in seven schools across the Cape and plans for additional counselors.  Read more ...

Each year Cape Cod Volunteers get calls and e-mails from people who want to volunteer during the holidays. Some people want to combat the perceived commercialism of the holidays, some people volunteer in other ways during the rest of the year and would like to help people in need during the holiday season, some people are alone for the holidays and hope for connections through volunteering, and some people are coming to the Cape to visit family and would like to volunteer while here (some families make it a big family experience while everyone is together). 

CCV has already started to get inquiries for Thanksgiving and CCV is looking for holiday opportunities!  Read more...

The Gosnold Reaching Out program is a resource for family members and loved ones affected by addiction.  It assists the family at all stages of addiction through education, intervention, and support.  Weekly support groups are held at the following locations:

• Gosnold Counseling Center, 1185 Falmouth Rd., Centerville on Tuesdays, 6-7:30 PM
• Gus Canty Community Center, 790 Main St., Falmouth on Wednesdays, 6-7:30 PM
• Falmouth Hospital - Faxon Center, 100 Ter Heun Dr., Falmouth on Sundays, 4-5:00 PM

View flyer for more information.  For additional support call 781/366-0143 or email ljmccarthy@gosnold.org

Over 800,000 people worldwide end their lives annually leaving parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren and close friends who deeply feel the devastation of each loss.  Samaritans on Cape Cod & the Islands has survivor support groups in Falmouth and Hyannis.  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.

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline Connects People with Services:  For tens of thousands of Massachusetts resident struggling with alcohol and other drug related issues, 1-800-327-5050 is an important number.   Read more ... 

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. 

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.

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?  

• 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)