E-Newsletter . Issue 270 . May 15, 2020
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Barnstable County Department of Human Services' E-Newsletter. This bi-weekly newsletter is designed to provide timely information on health and human service topics of interest for people living and working in Barnstable County. For additional information visit the Department website at
www.bchumanservices.net
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Community Agencies and Therapists Offering Telehealth Support
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The Barnstable County Children's Behavioral Health Work Group has developed a list of community agencies offering telehealth support
HERE
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Please email
barbaradominic612@gmail.com
if you have additional telehealth support that you would like listed, or if you want to update your listing. This listing will be periodically updated and distributed by Barnstable County.
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COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
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BARNSTABLE COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMISSION ANNOUNCES WINNER OF MALCOLM McDOWELL AWARD
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Duffy Health Center is pleased to announce that Jeff Dykens has joined the Leadership Team as Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Dykens comes to Duffy from Cape Cod Healthcare where he has held various positions in both finance and operations over the course of the past 28 years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Amherst College, a Master’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration from Northeastern University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Jeff is a Selectman in the Town of Chatham where he lives with his wife. He is also on the Board of Directors at the Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation. He has previously served on the Board of the Cape and Islands United Way and as President of the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
In his role at Duffy, Mr. Dykens will oversee all aspects of Duffy Health Center’s financial activities.
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Barnstable County HOME Consortium News
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Notice of Amendment to the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Citizens Participation Plan
The Barnstable County HOME Consortium is hereby amending its Citizens Participation Plan pursuant to the Memorandum issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dated April 10, 2020 entitled, “Availability of Waivers and Suspensions of the HOME Program Requirements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic”.
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Town of Barnstable Notice of Substantial Amendment to 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan
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Affordable Housing Lottery - Brick Kiln Apartments in East Falmouth
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COVID-19 NOTICES & RESOURCES
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Helpful Utility Links During COVID-19
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Social Isolation for Family Members in Close Quarters
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Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment: COVID-19 Updates
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Links To Each Cape Cod Town's Health Department
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URGENT message from the AG's Office
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Free Grocery Delivery Service Launches for Barnstable County Seniors and Residents at Higher Risk
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The Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps’ Delivery Service will help people who should stay home receive groceries and critical household goods.
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Food Access & Resources During COVID-19
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Free Student Meal Services & Pick-up Sites
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Access this map of sites serving meals to children and teens during April school closures due to Coronavirus pandemic.
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CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS FREE STUDENT MEAL SERVICE INFORMATION
(Open to ALL Students regardless of residence)
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The Council of Churches
operates as a "front-line" service provider in many areas and offers remote operations where possible. Please see below.
Faith Family Kitchen
will continue to provide nutritious dinners on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Please note these revised hours. At the door, families and other adults will be given a paper bag containing Jeni's homemade soup plus a few supplemental items.
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Hands of Hope Food Pantry
will continue distributing a single prepackaged bag of groceries during regular hours of operation, which are Monday and Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Clients will wait outside the door for a bag that is designed to feed 1, 2, 3 or 4 people. New clients, please call 508-432-1312 or email
churcheshoh@comcast.net
first to register. No client should come inside the building during service hours. The Thrift Store is closed until further notice. Hands of Hope is located at 49 Route 28, West Harwich.
A Baby Center
will offer "To Go" bags of baby essentials for existing clients on Wednesdays 10 a.m. - noon. This will be a "drive up window" service only; no clients are to enter the building. A Baby Center is located 81 Willow Ave, Hyannis.
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Barnstable County COVID-19 Recovery Resources
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COVID-19 can be difficult for all of us but especially for those in recovery. This might be exacerbated by people unable to attend their normal support group meetings or other recovery supports. Please click on button below to find local and nationwide resources related to substance use disorder and mental health. You can also call the MA Substance Use Helpline anytime at 800-327-5050.
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Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents
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A Conversation on Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health During COVID-19
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Talking To Children About COVID-19
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Mental Health and COVID-19
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We are amid an unprecedented public health crisis, yet we also have an extraordinary opportunity to come together within our families and our communities to reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health.
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention encourages everyone to engage in an open, honest dialogue with their friends and loved ones, to demonstrate compassion and kindness, and to practice self-care by exercising, meditating, and consuming the news in measured doses. And, reach out to those who may be isolated and need the extra support.
These actions can save lives and positively change our collective culture surrounding mental health for the long-term. We hope these tools help you to spread positive messages of hope, compassion, mental health care and suicide prevention.
For helpful and informative resources about mental health and Covid-19, check out AFSP's dedicated webpage:
www.afsp.org/covid19
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Donation of Home-Made Face Masks and Face Shield Headbands to Support COVID-19 Emergency Response
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The Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC),
in service to the Barnstable County Incident Command COVID-19 response, wishes to bring to the public's attention the following information for people willing to produce and donate face masks and the headbands that hold plastic face shields. Learn more
HERE
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Housing Assistance Established Cape Cod COVID-19
Workforce Housing Relief Fund
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Housing Assistance has established the Cape Cod COVID-19 Workforce Housing Relief Fund to provide urgent and ongoing assistance with past due rent or mortgage payments or other housing-related expenses for current, year-round Cape Cod and Island residents who are losing income due to the coronavirus. To apply for support for any Housing Assistance programs, contact an intake counselor at
hac@haconcapecod.org
508-771-5400. See more information
HERE
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CARES Act & UI COVID Materials for Providers & YYA Experiencing Homelessness
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The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice has released informational pamphlets on the
CARES Act
and
Applying for Unemployment Benefits
to assist Youth and Young Adults navigate systems for critical resources during the Coronavirus pandemic. Access to these resources play an important role in maintaining housing stability for our region’s young persons facing financial hardship due to loss of employment. Additional resources for Unaccompanied Youth and Young Adults age 24 and under that are homeless or at-risk of homelessness can be accessed through the Program Manager at
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Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund
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Launched by Massachusetts Governor Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker, the
Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund
will help support essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations across the state, including Massachusetts residents and immigrants facing homelessness, food insecurity and loss of critical services as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The Fund is administered by Eastern Bank providing a safe and reliable way for donations to be made to this Fund, and at no cost to the Fund. In addition to the $10 million already announced by our Charitable Foundation, our Foundation has donated to this fund and Eastern is among the leading organizations and philanthropists that are Founding Donors. Please help at
https://www.macovid19relieffund.org
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Our Work Needs to Continue
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The Homeless Prevention Council (HPC) is providing support for our neighbors in need on the Lower and Outer Cape. We have undertaken the following actions to ensure that services are not interrupted. Please read more
HERE
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Independence House continues to assist those in the community that seek help for domestic and sexual violence matters during the Covid-19 crisis. Remote services range in all areas including one-on-one counseling with active and new clients by phone and video, group video counseling, assistance with court applications remotely in order to obtain emergency 209A Restraining Orders or 258E Harassment Orders, and legal assistance and representation by a staff attorney. Their confidential emergency domestic and sexual violence shelter remains in full operation as well a 24-hour hotline at 800-439-6507. Full details about the Independence House Covid 19 response can be found at
www.independencehouse.org
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Many Hands Make Light Work
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Cape Cod Children's Place, The Community Development Partnership, The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Homeless Prevention Council, Lower Cape Outreach Council
, and
WE CAN
have joined together to better serve the unique needs of the Lower and Outer Cape Communities. In this unprecedented time, their collaboration and communication is focused on removing barriers to human service delivery--now more important than ever. A list of free and confidential services provided by these organizations that community members can access is available
HERE
*All community members are welcome to reach out to the organizations regardless of income or immigration status.
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The Cape & Islands United Way #GIVINGTUESDAY
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Zoom Sessions to Promote Mental Wellness for Workers in Aging Services
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Mental Wellness for Workers in Aging Services - Led by Katherine King, PsyD William James College
The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on older adults brings with it a high impact on those who serve them. This session is for anyone working in the field of aging who would like additional support and training to buoy their well-being during this challenging time. This includes nurses, social workers, case managers, activities professional, home health aides, and more. Over the course of these sessions, we will:
- Discuss burnout prevention, compassion fatigue, and self-care
- Get help with managing stress during even the hardest times
- Discuss grief and learn new ways to help cope with our losses
- Engage in brief guided relaxation and contemplation practices to restore energy and a sense of purpose.
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DATES
: Attend as many or as few sessions as you would like. Register just once and you will receive Zoom links to all sessions.
- 3 Tuesdays, 6-6:30pm Eastern Time
- (May 12, 19, and 26)
- 3 Thursdays, 11-11:30am Eastern Time
- (May 14, 21, and 28)
REGISTRATION
: Please register to receive Zoom links:
Register here
The Wisdom of Grief for Workers in Aging Services - Led by Katherine King, PsyD
William James College
Many of us enter the field of aging prepared to handle the loss of clients, but the sheer volume of people who are dying in the COVID-19 crisis, and the traumatic nature of many of these losses, runs the risk of overwhelming even our strongest coping skills. This session is for anyone working in the field of aging who is seeking mutual support and guidance to aid them in coping with their losses. This includes nurses, social workers, case managers, activities professional, home health aides, and more. This workshop will:
- Discuss types of grief and learn your own style of coping
- Provide tools and ideas to help you handle your losses
- Create time and shared space to honor the lives of those no longer with us
DATE
: Thursday, May 28, 2020, 7-7:45pm Eastern Time
REGISTRATION
: Please register to receive Zoom link:
Register here
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Family Continuity Self-Care Events
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RecoveryBuild APG for Teens Zoom Event May 24th
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Yogis UNITE for RecoveryBuild on ZOOM! With Stephanie Briody, Jill Abraham, Talia Arone, Ayanna Parrent, Jennifer Plusch, Nicole Chamberlain, Pat Clancy, and special guest speaker, Donny Starkins!
Sunday, May 24
12:00-1:30pm
All donations welcome
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Join us for the 3rd Annual Yogis Unite for RecoveryBuild Online Edition! This year, we will be coming to you live via Zoom with all our amazing teachers: Stephanie Briody, Jill Abraham, Talia Arone, Nicole Chamberlain, Ayanna Parrent, Jennifer Plusch, Pat Clancy and our special guest speaker, lululemon ambassador, leader, teacher and coach, Donny Starkins! It will be an inspirational and powerful way to be together to support teens on Cape Cod! Please sign up for the class here! And if you want to wear the t-shirt and tank that everyone will be rocking, purchase it online at the Power Yoga Of Cape Cod Harwich Mindbody Page, and we will ship it to you! (All proceeds go to RecoveryBuild!) We hope to see you and please share with everyone you know! (We can fit 1000!)
*RecoveryBuild Alternative Peer Group (APG) Program has provided recovery support for teens with substance use disorder since early 2018. With clients ranging in age from 13 to 18, we provide a critical piece of the care continuum that serves to disrupt the pathway to addiction and offers young people an opportunity to create a path of recovery that will lead to healthier, more productive lives."
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Cape Cod Fathers and Family Network News
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It is my great pleasure to invite you to a FREE VIRTUAL Cape Cod Fathers and Family Network meeting from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom, this Monday, May 18th. I am excited to have my friend and colleague, Haji Shearer present Helping Fathers Reduce the Effects of Trauma:
It’s important for fathers to be present for their children. The expectation for dads to be physically and financially present is higher now than in the recent past. How can father advocates also help dads be more psychologically present for their families?
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The influence of each father’s own childhood, and any trauma he experienced, may impact his ability to be present. This Zoom event explores the causes and effects of trauma and offers practical tips for helping dads be more aware of their needs so they can be more present for their children.
I’ll make sure there’s some time for a check-in and to promote any local father-focused support or programming you’ve got going. Please
RSVP
by emailing
pmelville@familycontinuity.org
so I know you’re coming and can send you the login information in advance (this will be a Zoom meeting).
SAVE THE DATE:
We've rescheduled Jeanine Fitzgerald, Certified Behavior Consultant and Specialist! Jeanine will virtually present Honoring Our Children: Moving Beyond Survival on the Zoom platform on Monday, June 8th. If you've never seen Jeanine Fitzgerald present, trust me: you will not be disappointed. Registration details to be released after next week's meeting.
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CHNA27 will not have in-person meetings until Fall 2020 due to Covid-19.
In the meantime, please check out our Facebook page for updated resources and local information pertaining to the social determinants of health.
We will hold a Special Election Meeting June 11th at 10 am via Zoom.
*This is an important meeting to elect new Steering Committee Members
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If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining CHNA27 Steering Committee please email chna27cape@gmail.com for more information!
COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK AREA 27, CAPE COD & ISLANDS (CHNA 27) is a Monthly General Meeting open to the public that consists of over 45 human service organizational members who convene monthly to learn about and discuss the major challenges, best practices in their respective fields and to share their work, knowledge, and experience. CHNA27 focuses on social determinants of health and brings together experts from housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, public and community healthcare providers, town administrators, and state legislators.
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Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse Peer Support Group Via ZOOM
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This group is open to Trans, non-binary, questioning, or other gender diverse identified people ages 18+. You do not need to be a Fenway Health patient to join, and the group is free to attend. Meets on the on the : 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month September-June from 5:30-7PM.
This group typically meets in person in Barnstable, MA.
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You are Invited to a Community Conversation Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation at Barnstable Council on Aging
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The Barnstable Council on Aging is proud to serve as the regional host for the Cape & Islands and South Coast for a virtual “Conversation Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation”.
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Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, loneliness and social isolation had reached epidemic proportions and become critical public health issues facing our communities. Stay-at-home advisories have magnified this issue, and raised public awareness of its negative impact on the health and well-being of the most vulnerable. What we need now are solutions for building connections and community!
We invite you join us to share your experiences, ideas, and expertise as to how we can create socially inclusive communities. The event is being hosted by the Taskforce to End Loneliness and Build Community, and facilitated by AARP Massachusetts and the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston. Our regional hosts include Madeline Noonan, Peg McDonough, Andrea Burns, and Sabrina Feldeisen.
- For more information, and to register: REGISTER HERE
- You may also register for this event by calling 877-926-8300.
- We hope that you will join this important conversation!
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Social Security Administration News
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COVID-19 Update from the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, LLC
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COVID-19 and Dementia: Common Questions/Topics
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Thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association for sharing the questions and answers for the most common concerns that they are hearing on their hotline calls. These documents will soon be available in Spanish.
You or anyone else – can reach out to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. 24/7 Hotline at 800-272-3900 to ask questions.
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HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES
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HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS-DATA
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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
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In an effort to make the submission process as easy as possible, submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form. Submission buttons will be located at the bottom of every newsletter and on the homepage of our website. If you have questions regarding the newsletter, please email
HUMANSERVICES@BARNSTABLECOUNTY.ORG
Thank you!
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Barnstable County Submission Guidelines
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Please submit your news to be included by clicking on image above.
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- Content Policy - We are prioritizing timely information on the ever-changing landscape of health and human services events and opportunities.
- Due to the increasing number of submissions to the newsletter, the Department reserves the right to limit the number of times a submission is published.
- Posting of articles submitted for publication in the Barnstable County Department of Human Services E-Newsletter is at the discretion of the Department. To request this newsletter in alternate formats, please call 508-375-6628.
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Barnstable County Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 427, 3195 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630
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