The Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council has completed an Analysis of Substance Abuse on Cape Cod: A Baseline Assessment.  View the Full Report and the Executive Summary.

The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of substance dependency, and the related costs, for Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It has been created to inform programming and policy needs to be defined by the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council.  The Council's goal is that Barnstable County will have a coordinated and comprehensive regional approach to substance abuse across the continuum of prevention, treatment and recovery, harms reduction and law enforcement.

If you have questions about the report, please contact Vaira Harik at vharik@barnstablecounty.org

These links offer a variety of in-person, online, or phone assistance options for individuals requiring assistance preparing and filing their federal and/or state taxes:

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are for personal tax help and provide a variety of services.  Appointments required by calling 508/775-0029.  Local office, 75 Perseverance Way, Hyannis.  List of additional TACs  around Massachusetts.

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & the Islands: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  Free tax preparation and filing services for low to moderate income residents by certified volunteer tax counselors.  For more information or to schedule an appointment call at 508/771-1727 ext 117.  View flyer for more information.

Boston Tax Help Centers are available to assist in tax preparation and filing for free if you earned less than $53,000 in 2014

Massachusetts Department of Revenue's website offers MASS taxpayers access to resources or by calling 800/392-6089, Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM.  Hearing impaired taxpapers can access DOR's teletypewriter by calling 617/887-6140.

Live Telephone Assistance is available for individuals, businesses, people with hearing impairments and people who believe they may be victims of identity theft.  Representatives also provide help with questions that may arise while preparing federal taxes or about a notice you may have received.

Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) is an online tool that provides individuals with responses to federal tax law questions.

IRS e-file Providers for Individuals is a list provided by the IRS for all authorized IRS e-file providers.  Inclusion in the list does not constitute endorsement by the IRS.

Family Support Choir:  Wednesdays, April 15 & 22, 9:45 AM at the Eastham Senior Center, 1405 Nauset Rd.  Consider joining the Alzheimer's Family Multigenerational Chorus which brings together individuals with cognitive impairment, caregivers, and youth to to learn new songs and remember the "golden oldies".

"I Wish You a Waltz" presented by the Cape Rep Theatre ~ Bluestone Group on Friday, April 24, 12 Noon at the Eastham Senior Center.  RSVP to 508/255-6164. 

Friends of the Eastham Council on Aging Thrift Shop, located on the corner of Massasoit Rd. and Oak Rd. in North Eastham is open from 10 AM - 3 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Used items may be dropped off on Wednesdays from 9 - 11 AM.  If you would like to volunteer in the Thrift Shop call 508/255-9896.

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, friend? "Powerful Tools for Caregivers" is a 6 week educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves.

Program is scheduled for Tuesdays, April 23-May 28, 2015 Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Chatham Council on Aging, 193 Stony Hill Road, Chatham.  Leaders: Cecilie Brown & Frank Riley Elder Services of CC&I, Family Caregiver Support Program.  To Register call 508/394-4630 x450. Cost is Free and a copy of the Caregiver Helpbook will be provided.

This class will give you, the family caregiver, tools to: Reduce stress; Communicate more effectively; Take care of yourself; Reduce guilt, anger and depression; Help you relax; Make tough decisions; Set goals and problem-solve. Presented by Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands Family Caregiver Support Program

The Hyannis Public Library, 401 Main St. presents lots of great activities and programing:

ADHD:  A Parent's Overview on Saturday April 11th at 11:00 AM.  Program is free and open to the public but registration is required by April 10th by emailing hyannislibrary101@gmail.com or by calling 508/775-2280.

Preschool and family programs throughout the month.

Coupons and passes for school vacation week, April 20-24th.

Commonwealth eBook Collections (CEC) gives cardholders access to digital resources through libraries.

Learn more about these and other great activities at the Hyannis Public Library.

Family Law Overview:  Thursday, April 16, 6-8:00 PM, Wellfleet Preservation Hall.  Workshop will cover dvorce process, child custody, legal resources, paperwork, legal terms, etc. Read more...

Money $en$e Workshop: The Basics of Money Management.  Thursday, April 30, 2015, 5-8:00 PM at the Hyannis Zion Union Heritage Museum, 276 North Street.  Visualize the life you value and create a vision board and budgeting, saving & financial goals. View flyer for details.

Immigration Legal Consults: Thursday, May 7th and Friday, June 12th, 9:30 - 11:30 AM.  Scheduled 1:1, 30 minute appointments with an immigration attorney for guidance and information for low to moderate income women. 

A Day of Words, Wit & Wisdom: June 4th.  Tickets avialable through WE CAN's website.

3rd Annual Fashion Show, Cape Cod Cultural Center, 307 Old Main St., S. Yarmouth, May 6th, 5:00 PM.  View details.

Hear from a SAMHSA consultant, Dr. Cynthia Zubritsky, about the value and effectiveness of older adult peers in the aging, mental health and substance use workforces in Pennsylvania.

The Forum will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, 75 Fenwood Rd, Room 211, Boston, MA.  The event is FREE but pre-registration is required by April 24th as space is limited.  To register and for directions, click here.  For questions or special accommodations please email COStaffDev@massmail.state.ma.us

Join Cape Cod Center for Women at a Paint Night Fundraiser on Saturday, May 2nd, 3-6:00 PM at The Beach House Restaurant, 7 Nathan Ellis Highway, North Falmouth.  Tickets are $45.  For more information or call 774/763-2222 or cccfw@capecodshelter.org

The Center needs a van to be used for transporting clients, moving furniture and helping clients move into transitional housing.  Please donate today or email cccfw@capecodshelter.org if you have a van to donate.

Help the Cape Cod Center for Women purchase a new Shelter.  CCCW is raising funds to buy a larger shelter.  Please support the Center and donate today.

FREE SCOPE of Pain Trainings will be offered across Cape Cod on May 11th & 12th at Falmouth Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital and the Chatham Wayside Inn.  The trainings are FREE and 3 CME/CE credits will be provided.  View flyer for additional information.  Visit the SCOPE of Pain website to register.

SCOPE of Pain is a series of continuing medical education/continuing nursing education activities designed to help healthcare professionals safely and competently use opioids, if appropriate, to manage patients with chronic pain. 

SCOPE of Pain is sponsored by Boston University School of Medicine.  The Cape Cod meetings are in collaboration with Cape Cod Healthcare and the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council.

Dementia Certificate Level One: Fulfilling Massachusetts Regulations: May 15 & 22, 2015, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at HopeHealth Hyannis office, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis.  Cost is $160.00 and 8 CEs available.  Register. 

Dementia Certificate Level Two: Behavior and Medication Management:  May 4, 11 AM - 3 PM, Edgartown Council on Aging - Register.  June 11, 12 - 4:00 PM, HopeHealth Hyannis office, 765 Attucks Lane - Register.  Cost is $100 and 4 CEs available.  

Dementia Certificate Level Three: Advanced Problem Solving: Challenges in Alzheimer's Care:  May 20, 12 - 4 PM, HopeHealth Hyannis office, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis - Register.  June 1, 11 AM -3 PM, Edgartown Council on Aging - Register.  Cost is $100, 4 CEs available.  

To learn more call 508/775-5656 or visit www.HopeDementia.org/ProfessionalEducation

ASIST two-day training on May 7 & 8, 2015, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St., Harwich.  Cost $125 per person.  Light lunch and snacks included.  Hosted by Harwich Youth Services. View flyer.  For application or more information email yspp@chcofcapecod.org or call 774/392-5420.

Save the Date

Aging with Dignity Conference, Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. 

The conference focus:  Preventing and Responding to Substance Use and Related Problems in Older Adults.  Read more...

On August 16th you can run in memory of someone you've lost, or almost lost, to suicide. Or run for a friend or family member who is grieving. Regardless of the reason, when you run for the CISPC, everyone wins!

If you are interested in running, contact Kelly at suicideprevention@capecoalition.com or call 508-566-3610. If you aren't a runner, you can still contribute to this great cause by forwarding this email or posting our flyer. Or you can support a runner by making a tax-deductible contributions to their run!

ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE IS STILL AVAILABLE:  You can apply and enroll in MassHealth at any time during the year. If you are newly eligible for ConnectorCare Plans (subsidized public health insurance*), you can apply and enroll at any time during the year.  You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you have Qualifying Life Events, such as a marriage, having a baby, losing a job, new Massachusetts resident, etc. (Need to apply and enroll within 60 days of the event.)

If you are currently on MassHealth and received a Renewal Notice, it is important to enroll by the deadline noted in your letter from MassHealth or you may experience time without health insurance.  View flyer.

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands has certified MA Health Connector Navigators trained to help you! To schedule an appointment or for more information: call 508-771-1727 or walk-in at 372 North St., Hyannis, MA. (We offer services in Falmouth and on Nantucket, by appointment only.)

Funding Opportunities: 

School Grants for Healthy Kids

Health Profession Opportunity Grants to Serve TANF Recipients and other Low-Income Individuals

Circle of Excellence Recognition Awards

340B Drug Pricing Program

Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust

National Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements

Farmers Market Promotion Program

New England Healthy Communities Grant Program

MultiPlan's Rural Health Outreach Grant Program

Advancing Social Sciences-Based Research on Food Assistance and Nutrition Challenges in Rural America

Newman's Own Award

MA & RI Healthy Living, Healthy Aging Grants (advocacy & policy)

Wal-Mart State Giving Program (Region 2)

National Indian Health Outreach and Education (NIHOE II)

Loan Repayment for Health Professionals and Scholarships

Massachusetts State Loan Repayment Program

National Health Service Corps Scholarships

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Articles of Interest:

VA Works to Expand Choice Program Eligibility

Telehealth Legislation Heats Up Nationwide

Data/Reports of Interest:

Emergency Department Visits and Proximity to Patients' Residences

Travel Time and Attrition From VHA Care Among Women Veterans

Adapting School-Based Substance Use Prevention Curriculum through Cultural Grounding

Random Assignment of Schools to Groups in the Drug Resistance Strategies Rural Project

Volunteers are needed across Barnstable County for the Meals-on-Wheels program.  Just an hour a week can help ensure our homebound elders have a warm meal.  Mileage reimbursement is available.  Please contact Nancy Wolf at 508-394-4630 or nancy.wolf@escci.org at Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands.