Creating a Healthy Connected Community: HealthyConnectedCapeCod.org 

We're pleased to announce HealthyConnectedCapeCod.org

 - an easy-to-use online clearinghouse for health and human services resources on Cape Cod.  We have created a single point of entry to connect to an array of online tools .....without having to keep track of every website address!

By visiting one easy-to-remember website address,

A healthy community is a connected community, so check out some of the information you'll be connected to on  today!

Department of Human Services Seeks Coordinator for Massachusetts Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) in Barnstable County 

Barnstable County, through its Chief Procurement Officer and on behalf of the Department of Human Services, seeks a qualified contractor to assist the Department in coordinating the "Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Collaborative" (SAPC) in Barnstable County.  Proposals will be received at the Superior Court House, Office of the County Commissioners, Purchasing Department, 3195 Main Street, P.O. Box 427, Barnstable, MA 02630, on or before August 11, 2015 at 10:00AM.   No exceptions will be allowed. Specifications may be obtained at http://purchasing.barnstablecounty.org.

The purpose of the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) grant program is to implement local policy, practice, systems, and/or environmental changes to prevent underage drinking and other drug use.  Grant funds will be used to plan and support initiatives that benefit the region.  Additionally, this program provides support for groups of municipalities to enter into formal, long term agreements to share resources and coordinate activities, in order to increase the number and capacity of municipalities across the Commonwealth addressing these issues. This program emphasizes the integration of SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) model into overall prevention systems, to ensure a consistent data-driven planning process focused on implementing effective and sustainable strategies and interventions. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) has awarded Barnstable County a one year contract for the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016. The contract has options to renew through 2022.  

Families for Depression Awareness offers Mental Health Care Consultation Service for families struggling with depression or bipolar disorder. Families meet with an experienced counselor for assessment, guidance, coaching, and referrals so they can find the mental health care they need to address their difficulties. We have immediate availability to meet with families either in our office in Waltham or by phone. Our grant funding for FREE low-income Care Consultations is expiring, so interested people should contact us ASAP at 781-890-0220 or info@familyaware.org. 

Gosnold to Host free event, "Playing Above the Influence":  July 17 at 5:00-6:30 PM at Eldridge Field, 78 Eldridge Park Way, Orleans. Event is designed to give families and young people an opportunity to interact with positive role models.  All players in the Cape Cod Baseball League sign a contract agreeing to be drug and alcohol free.

Throughout July Gosnold on Cape Cod is training staff members in Guiding Good Choices Training, an evidence-based parenting education for parents of middle-school-aged children with emphasis on drug education and prevention and healthy decision-making.  The program will be offered at the start of the 2015 school year.  For more information contact Mary Fisher at 844/558-4357 or mfisher@gosnold.org or Patty Mitrokostas at 508/540-6550 x 6002 or pmitrokostas@gosnold.org.

28th Annual Evening by the Sea Event with a A Taste of Tuscany theme will take place on Friday, July 24 at the Wianno Club in Osterville.  Event includes dinner, a live and silent auction, live music and dancing.

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.HopeHealthCo.org/Events, call 508/957-0254 or email Giving@HopeHealthCo.org

Free Health Screenings:  Friday, July 24, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Eastham Senior Center, 1405 Nauset Rd, North Eastham.

Free E-contest Seminar: Friday, July 31 at 10:30 AM at the Eastham Senior Center.  Bring your laptop, smart phone, tablet or other device to learn how to download books and more.

Save Energy and Money workshop:  Friday, August 7 at 10:30 AM at the Eastham Senior Center.  Facilitated by Cape Light Compact.

For more information on any of these programs call 508/255-6164.

Documentary film, Look At Us Now, Mother! by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum will premiere at the Woods Hold Film Festival on July 27th at 5:00 PM.

Look At Us Now, Mother! is a film about a highly charged mother/daughter relationship and its transformation from hatred to love, a story about forgiveness.  The film deals with mental health, healing and reconciliation between family members. View flyer for more information.  Purchase tickets.

Beacon Hospice is offering a new group and educational series, Healing After Loss: What am I Needing? at the Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main St, Hyannis in "the parlor".  This free 6 session group is open to the public and begins on July 28 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM.

Pre-registration is requested by calling Bereavement Coordinator, Brooks Reinhold at 508/778-1622 ext 115 or emailing brooks.reinhold@amedisys.com.  View flyer.

Join AMC in supporting students with special needs at Riverview School in East Sandwich with a $50 donation (only 1,000 chances will be sold) and be entered to win AMC's The Walking Dead Season 6 Premiere Event VIP Experience which will be attended by the show's stars and creators.

The Walking Dead is an American horror drama television series based on the comic book series.  The raffle winner will experience an unforgettable weekend this fall, location and exact date TBA.  Must be 18 or older to attend the Premiere Party.  The winner will be drawn on July 31, 2015 at the Riverview School.  View more information or purchase a raffle ticket. 

Support the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod.  On August 3rd golf on the spectacular Ocean Course at New Seabury followed by Dinner & Live Auction.  Lunch at Noon, Shotgun at 1 PM.  $250 per player includes lunch, photo op, cart, golf, dinner & auction.

Golfer special ~ have your picture taken with All 3 Red Sox World Series Trophies, 11 - 12:30 PM.

Get more information. 

Register Now!

Samaritan volunteers are not counselors or therapists, so no experience is required.  All you need is the capacity to care.  Volunteers are trained in non-judgemental active listening so as to best assist callers who are lonely, depressed and isolated.

The next volunteer training session is scheduled for August 3, 4, 5, 10 & 11 from 5:45 - 8:45 PM at the Samaritans office in Falmouth.  If you would like to learn more about this upcoming volunteer training and how you can help make a difference, please call 508/548-7999 or visit www.CapeSamaritans.org.

VOCA Grant: Independence House has been awarded a substantial Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant which will be used to expand services at the agency.  The funding will create 2 new positions:  a Cape-wide Victim Advocate and a Teen Tech Counselor and provide free services.

C&I United Way Impact Partners Award:  Independence House has been awarded a 2015-2016 Community Impact Partners Grant which will partially support the Intimate Partner Violence Resilient Families Project to foster conditions for healthy development for children who witness domestic violence.

Volunteer Training:  Independence House is offering its next volunteer training in August, 40 hours of specialized training over the course of 2-3 weeks.  Call Donna or Chris to set up an interview at 508/771-6507.

Afternoon Luncheon Cruise:  Set sail on Saturday, August 8th, 2-3:30 PM from Sesuit Harbor in Dennis on the S.S. Lobster Roll for a cruise with lunch and on-board entertainment.  Tickets are $35 pp, reservations required.  Ticket sales benefit Independence House services.  More information and to purchase tickets  or call 508/771-6507.

BackPack Drive:  Help a child in need to start off the school year right.  This program supports children in the Independence House Child Witness to Violence and Teen Programs as well as children of adult clients who require much needed school supplies.  Accepting donations until Friday, August 21st.  More info and list of needed supplies.

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 contribution 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.

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.)

~ Business Start Up ~ Work Support

Limited to those who are in the process of starting, growing, or running a business. These are one 1:1 meetings with a specialty Work Support Volunteer, who can assist with the special issues of starting or building a business. These meetings are 1 hour in length and often involve follow up through email or another face-to-face meeting.

~ General Work Support Sessions 

These are 1:1 meetings with a Work Support Volunteer, who can assist with career exploration, resume building/review, cover letters, interviewing skills and job search strategies. These meetings are generally 1 to 1 � hours in length with ongoing weekly dates available and may involve follow up through email or another face-to-face meeting.

~ Financial Empowerment Sessions 

These 1:1 scheduled, 45-minute, Financial Empowerment Sessions are ongoing with weekly dates available. A broad range of financial needs may be addressed including basic finances (e.g. budgeting, balancing a checkbook, starting a savings plan); planning for retirement/college; eliminating debt; rebuilding credit; as well as issues related to mortgages, credit report, USDA loans, foreclosure, bankruptcy, refinancing and tax information (topics may be volunteer specific).

For more information call 508/430-8111 or visit www.wecancenter.org

Diabetes Prevention Program:  Helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve overall health and well-being.  Research by the National Institute of Health has shown that programs like the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program an reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58% and 71% in adults over the age of 60.  Classes are forming now in West Barnstable, Mashpee, Bourne and Falmouth.  Please contact Patience Smith-Cabrera at 508/362-6500 ext. 136. View flyer for more information.

Livestrong at the YMCA Cape Cod:  The mission of this program is to empower adult cancer survivors to improve functional capacity and to increase quality of life through an organized program of fitness and strength.  The YMCA Cape Cod is now forming classes for our session beginning in early September.  This 12 week program is free to cancer survivors and their families.  Contact Patience Smith-Cabrera at 508/362-6500 ext. 136.  View flyer for more information.

Cape Mediation has been awarded grants for next year from the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Cape Cod Five Foundation and the Federated Church of Orleans to support mediation programs to help manage and resolve conflict in Cape Cod Communities.

Data Collection Stats:  Cape Mediation has mediated 731 cases with 585 coming to an agreement.  The number of volunteer hours, 1,462.25 is valued at $292,679.00.