Members who are currently enrolled with Commonwealth Care, MSP, Temporary coverage, or a QHP will need to re-apply by December 23, 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.

CHNA 27 is offering mini-grants of up to $5,000 from CHNA membership organizations ONLY that are nonprofit or public entities. Organizations must be members of CHNA prior to the release of the RFP. Not sure if you are a CHNA member? Contact Kimberly Perry, Administrative Coordinator for CHNA 27.

CHNA 27 is interested in supporting evidence-based and/or promising, innovative practices to improve primary care and preventive health services for vulnerable populations with a focus on addressing at least one of the following issues: Elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities and their social determinants; Promote wellness in home, workplace, school and/or community; Prevent and/or manage chronic disease.

The application is entirely online and can be accessed by clicking this link.  Please use the budget template attached  when applying.  The submission deadline for this Mini-Grant is: Friday, February 6th, 2015 at Midnight.

The Cape Cod Foundation is serving as grants manager for CHNA 27. Please direct any questions about the application process to Dara Bryan, Program Officer for The Cape Cod Foundation, at dbryan@capecodfoundation.org or 508-790-3040. 

Family-to-Family Education classes:  new 12 week classes for the 2015 winter/spring season begin on the following dates:

Martha's Vineyard   already begun

Nantucket             January 22 - evenings

Provincetown         January 26 - evenings

Mashpee               February 24 - 1:30 - 4:00 PM

Barnstable             Late March - evenings

For more information call NAMI at 508/778-4277 or email ahoxie@namicapecod.org

Save the Date:

Advocacy Day at the Statehouse: Monday, April 13, 2015

NAMI MA Walk in Boston: Saturday, May 16, 2015 

Chronic Disease Self Management is a program for adults living with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, depression, etc. The program is no-cost and meets for 2 � hours each week for 6 weeks. This innovative program is peer led and is proven to improve the self-efficacy of individuals living with chronic health conditions through group discussion, individual goal setting, problem solving, learning relaxation skills, healthier eating and exercise planning.  View flyer.  For more information, please contact Gina Kupski at 508-957-7620 or visit www.healthylivingcapecod.org

Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands is seeking a full time Community Health Worker for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Initiative. Duties include working in the community with specific target populations, working with medical providers, primary care teams & other agencies to improve patient care and outcomes, connect patients to evidence based programs & community resources. Assist the consumer to obtain and utilize other community services such as a certified agency, housing, fuel assistance, council on aging, MassHealth, etc.

Bi-lingual, Portuguese/Spanish speaking Required.  Bachelor's degree preferred or any combination of three years health/social work experience or education.  Car & MA Drivers license Required.  Salary & generous benefits.

For more information contact: Gina Kupski, Program Coordinator, Healthy Living Cape Cod, at 508/470-1125.  For more information visit  www.healthylivingcapecod.org

Cape Stress Reduction & Optimal Health has a few slots left in the winter session of the Mindfulness Training offered at Sasha's Yoga, 23 Rte 134 in South Dennis, Monday evenings starting January 26th.  The 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class runs January 26 - March 16, 2015, 6 - 8:30 PM.  All graduates of the 8 week program are eligible to attend this "Day of Mindfulness", free of charge on Saturday March 7, 9 AM - 4 PM. 

This training will give you real-world skills to work with stress and anxiety, optimizing physical, emotional and mental health.  Studies at Mass General Hospital have shown that brain structure actually changes from learning mindfulness.  And because stress is implicated in more than 85% of our health challenges, these mindfulness-based skills can have long-lasting and fa reaching effects in our lives.

Call 508/420-3300 or email info@capestressreduction.com for fee schedule and to register.

• Tues. Feb 3rd Work Support Monthly:"Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment".  Presented in Collaboration with Cape Cod Volunteers, 9:30-11:30am Harwich Community Center. This exciting workshop will have Lisa McNeil Kemp speaking about using volunteering as a way to build skills, expand networking, and create a pathway to employment.
• Wed Feb 11th Family Law Overview Workshop, Sandwich Public Library, 5:30-7:30pm.  Presented by Melissa Macleod "Everything You Wanted to Know about Family Law but were Afraid to Ask",  will largely cover the divorce process, provide an overview of key legal terms, as well as information on child custody,  and other family legal matters; time will be `set aside for Q & A. 
• Saturday March 14th Divorce Boot Camp, Old Firehouse Gallery, Orleans. "Divorce Boot Camp" is a four-hour workshop offered by an experienced family law attorney, Anna Merrill, who provides specialized guidance for those considering / approaching divorce.  The program also includes all essential forms and a CD with complete Boot Camp information.
• SAVE THE DATES Feb 24th, March 11th, March 24th- 3 dates!! 3 different locations- Harwich, Eastham, Sandwich.  A Financial Empowerment Workshop Money Sense: An Interactive Workshop to Launch You on the Road to Financial Wellbeing! Dinner provided and reimbursement for child care

RSVP/SEC is offering a free series of educational talks over the winter.  The talks will focus on ongoing environmental management projects and will be informative and inspire future volunteer opportunities.  View schedule.

All talks will be held at Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, Inc., 68 Route 134 in Dennis.  Please RSVP to Gina at 508/394-4630 ext 523.  Light refreshments will be served.

Join the Cape Cod Center for Women on February 15, 2015 from 7-9 PM at the Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Rd., Cotuit for a staged reading of the Vagina Monologues, a play written by the playwright Eve Ensler.  This event is to celebrate V-Day, a global activist movement committed to ending violence against women and girls.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit Cotuit Center for the Arts: The Vagina Monologues.

Community Forum for Providers and General Public: February 26, 2015, 2-4 PM at the Falmouth Public Library, Hermann Foundation Conference Room.

Learn about the impact of media and stigma on those needing help, the latest developments in research and development of recovery tools, the effectiveness of peer-to-peer support groups, interventions that work and those that don't, stories of success and hope.  View flyer.

Cape Mediation's 2015

Intensive Mediation Skills Training

APRIL 27, 28, May 4, & 5 or OCTOBER 19, 20, 26, & 27

Cost $550 ($495 if payment received 30 days before training begins).  A limited number of partial scholarships are available thanks to the Peter Regan Scholarship Fund.  CEUs available. 

Visit www.capemediation.org for more information or call 508/240-1717.  Email us today to reserve your place at info@capemediation.org

Cape Cod Expo, Saturday, April 11th from 12 - 4:30 PM at Ballymeade Country Club, 125 Falmouth Woods Rd., East Falmouth. 

This family focused event will include a variety of indoor and outdoor instruction and demonstrations of wellness activities and sports, taste samplings from local restaurants, expo booths with local and national businesses offering goods and services for healthy and active living.  NASA Astrounaut Sunita L. Williams will be a special guest throughout the afternoon.

Entry is free with donations appreciated.  Following the expo a dinner is offered from 5-7 PM and tickets are $10 in advance for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. Tickets also available at the door.  Read more... 

Highlights of 2014:  Mobile Garden Project, 21st Century Project, 4-H Afterschool Conference, Science clubs, Sewing workshops, Babysitting classes, Operation Military Kids Cape Cod, Summer of Science at UMASS Amherst, Lights on After School program and so much more!!!  Read about all of these great programs here.

Promoting infant and early childhood mental health is gaining traction and funding both nationally and in Massachusetts.  Research show that the first signs of mental illness often occur in childhood.  Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.  It is estimated that between nine and fourteen percent of children from birth to 5 years of age experience social and emotional problems that negatively affect their early learning, social interactions, and family well-being.

The Department of Mental Health Child and Adolescent Services, in partnership with other state agencies and early childhood professions, is working on several fronts to increase early identification and improve treatment for children with  mental health issues.  Read entire article.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has $27.4 Million available in new grant opportunities.

Up to $21.2 Million for for Drug-Free Communities Support Program

Up to $6.2 million for Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Disaster Distress Helpline 

For more information about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration visit  http://www.samhsa.gov