IN THIS ISSUE

spotlight

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month

Eating disorders are not fads, phases, or lifestyle choices. They are real and complex medical and mental health conditions. Some examples of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder). People struggling with an eating disorder often become obsessed with food, body image, and/or weight. These disorders can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated appropriately.

The earlier a person receives treatment, the greater the likelihood of full recovery. If you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder a mental health screening can help. Take the eating disorder screen to check your symptoms. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, help is available. The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness offers a comprehensive Find Eating Disorder Treatment resource to connect individuals with clinical care and support services tailored to their needs (www.findEDhelp.com). Their Toll-Free Helpline is available Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm EST at 866-662-1235 — trained professionals are ready to listen, provide guidance, and help you take the next step toward recovery. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

aging well & healthy living

PEARLS Program Seeks Participants

The PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives) program, offered through the Dennis Center for Active Living, provides free, short-term coaching to help individuals feel more empowered, motivated, and in control of their daily lives. Through six to eight one-on-one sessions, PEARLS coaches support participants in managing challenges, finding practical solutions, and building habits that lead to improved well-being. For more information, call Julie Benoit, LSW, Outreach Coordinator, at 508-694-2004.

24/7 Support: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or substance use concerns, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide free, confidential support. By calling or texting 988, or chatting at 988lifeline.org, individuals are connected with trained, compassionate counselors who offer one-on-one, judgment-free support and help ensure immediate safety. The Lifeline is available for anyone — whether you’re in crisis, feeling overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to — and also supports family members or friends seeking help for a loved one. No judgment. Just help.

behavioral health

Supporting Connection and Well-Being in the New Year

At the E4 Center, we recognize that the weeks following the holiday season can be especially challenging for some individuals. According to CDC data, rates of suicidal ideation often increase in January. As we begin 2026, we want to share trusted resources that can help older adults feel healthier, more connected, and supported in the months ahead.

Are Your Clients Experiencing Social Isolation?

Social isolation is not always easy to spot—and it goes beyond feeling lonely. It can have serious effects on both emotional and physical health. We encourage providers to share this brief, three-minute assessment with clients to help them better understand their level of risk and access helpful information and local recommendations based on their results.

Are You Affected by Social Isolation?

Take the Assessment.

As many of you know, social isolation is more than feeling lonely. It has a negative impact on our emotional and physical health. Consider recommending this three-minute assessment to help your clients understand their risk level and receive helpful information and local recommendations based on their results.  

Find Connection and Support

NAMI National Warmline Directory

Warmlines provide person-centered support from trained peer specialists. Peer supporters offer validation, shared experience, and a non-judgmental space to talk through whatever may be weighing on someone’s mind.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 LifeLine for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or crisis. Trained counselors help thousands of people navigate difficult moments every day.

Aging UnLonely

Launched by the Foundation for Art & Healing, Aging UnLonely is part of Project UnLonely, a national initiative addressing social isolation and chronic loneliness. This program focuses specifically on connection, creativity, and well-being in later life.

Learn More

To better understand the broader impact of loneliness, we recommend reviewing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023). The links below include both a one-page summary and the full report.

• One-Page Summary
• Full Report

We also invite you to explore the E4 Center’s Webinar Archive, which includes a full library of past sessions. The following webinars may be especially helpful for older adults—or those working with older adults—who are experiencing social isolation:

• Schaalman Senior Voices Thought Leader Lecture: From Isolation to Inspiration
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Considerations for Older Adults to Prevent Suicide in Later Life

Wellness Training Programs

The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office have partnered with Cape Cod Community College to offer training programs that provide our communities with the necessary information and tools to raise awareness, educate, and increase action to reduce suicides.

housing & homelessness

Community Development Partnership's Upcoming 2026 Workshops January - Mid March

Join EOHLC for an Upcoming Fair Housing Listening Session

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), in partnership with local and community organizations, invites the public to join an upcoming Fair Housing Regional Listening Session. 

This series of sessions throughout the Commonwealth provides an opportunity for residents, advocates, and stakeholders to share experiences, identify barriers to fair housing, and help shape strategies to ensure that every community in the Commonwealth is inclusive and equitable. 

One of the critical components of the Commonwealth’s $5.2 billion Affordable Homes Act (2024) was the establishment of the state’s first Office of Fair Housing and the Fair Housing Trust Fund, expanding efforts to fight housing injustice. The Office of Fair Housing is charged with overcoming patterns of segregation and supporting enforcement, policy development, research, programming, and education to foster more inclusive communities and improve access to housing and affordability. 

The goal of these convenings is to center community voices, strengthen partnerships, and build public awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities. By documenting lived experiences, identifying local barriers, and generating actionable recommendations, the Commonwealth will be better positioned to proactively address fair housing challenges and ensure that all residents have access to housing opportunities free from discrimination. 

EOHLC is committed to promoting open and welcoming communities in all 351 cities and towns across Massachusetts. Throughout the year, the Office of Fair Housing will host regional listening sessions to better understand and begin mapping the challenges and opportunities related to fair housing in each region. 

Upcoming Fair Housing Regional Listening Sessions 

• Berkshire County – Monday, Jan. 12, 2026; Register online 
• Western Mass. – Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026; Register online  
• Greater Lowell – Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026; Register online 
• Greater Boston – Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026; Register online 
• Cape & Islands – Date to be announced 
• South Shore (including all of southeastern Mass, including all of the towns and cities in Bristol and Plymouth County and the South Coast) – Date to be announced 
• North Shore/Merrimack Valley – Date to be announced 
• Central Mass/Worcester – Date to be announced 
• Franklin/Hampshire Counties – Date to be announced 
• Cross-Regional Virtual Session – Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026; Register online 

SHINE

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Act by March 31st!

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is underway now and runs through March 31, 2026. This is an important opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to review their coverage and make a one-time change if needed. 

If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage PPO plan, it’s especially important to check with your healthcare providers—particularly any out-of-network providers you regularly use. We are increasingly seeing situations where out-of-network providers are declining to accept Medicare Advantage PPO coverage or refusing to bill the plan, which can leave beneficiaries responsible for paying for services upfront and seeking reimbursement directly from their PPO plan. 



During the MA Open Enrollment Period, eligible beneficiaries can act to better align their coverage with their healthcare needs. This may include switching to original Medicare or a different Medicare Advantage plan that offers a more suitable provider network or coverage structure. 

Now is the time to confirm that your plan works with the doctors and facilities you rely on. Reviewing your options before March 31st can help you avoid disruptions in care and unexpected expenses later in the year. 

SHINE counselors are available to assist you in reviewing your coverage. To schedule a SHINE appointment, call 508-375-6762. 

Tufts Medicare Advantage Provider Network Change

Tufts Medicare Preferred will no longer cover services provided by multiple primary care physician offices across Barnstable County effective March 1, 2026, impacting between 1200-1300 patients.  

What primary care practices are affected by this change?  

All Tufts Medicine’s Cape Physicians primary care practices are affected by this change. If you are a patient of any of these practices, you will need to take action to change to a new primary care practice that accepts Tufts Medicare Preferred or switch to a different insurance provider. The practices include:  

• Brewster Medical Associates  
• Cape Cod Medical Center  
• Cape Cod Primary Care (offices in Hyannis & Osterville)  
• Hass Family Medicine Cape Cod  
• Prism Medical Associates  
• Yarmouth Medical Center  
• 
  

More details can be found here. 

SHINE counselors are available to assist you in reviewing your coverage.  

To schedule a SHINE appointment,

call your local Council on Aging or the Cape Cod & Islands Regional SHINE Office at 508-375-6762. 

scams & fraud

This Phishing Scam Is a Bad Apple

In this latest scam, you receive text messages that say someone is trying to log in to your Apple account without your permission. Then, you get a call from someone claiming to be an Apple support agent. They tell you that your account has been compromised and that they have opened a support ticket for you so they can help you secure your account. You even receive an actual email from Apple support that contains your case number. 

The Apple support email you received is genuine, but the support ticket was initiated for you by cybercriminals, not by Apple. They’ll pretend to help “fix” the issue with your account and ask you to give them your security code so that they can close your support ticket. However, if you give them the code, they can steal your Apple account! 

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam:

• If you receive unexpected text messages from Apple, don’t reply or select any links in the message. Instead, visit the Apple website to confirm that the message is legitimate, or call their official customer support line. 
• Cybercriminals often try to trick you into acting impulsively by creating a sense of urgency. Always be cautious if you receive a text message that instructs you to act quickly! 
• Remember, real support agents will not ask you for your passcode or password. Scammers request this information so that they can gain access to your accounts. 

Crypto ATMs on Outer Cape May Pose a Fraud Risk to Users

Two cryptocurrency ATMs have recently appeared on the Outer Cape—one at Cumberland Farms in Eastham and another at Stop & Shop in Provincetown. Local NPR for the Cape, Coast & Islands reports that law enforcement and the AARP warn these machines are often used in scams. According to journalist Jack Styler of the Provincetown Independent, fraudsters frequently pressure victims to convert cash into cryptocurrency through these ATMs, making the money nearly impossible to recover. Consumer advocates caution that losses can reach tens of thousands of dollars and urge residents to be wary of scam tactics and avoid using crypto ATMs altogether.

community events

Barnstable Food Drive to Benefit Cape Cod Community Pantry

The Barnstable Youth Commission is hosting a Barnstable Food Drive on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, to benefit the Cape Cod Community Pantry. Donations will be collected at Stop & Shop (Hyannis and Marstons Mills), Shaw’s (Hyannis), and Star Market (Hyannis). Community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and other essentials to help support local families in need.

Calling Cape Cod Teens!

Cape Vibes is hosting an upcoming meeting on February 10, and students from across the Cape are encouraged to get involved. This is a great opportunity for teens interested in youth leadership, community issues, and connecting with peers to share their voices.

Date: February 10

Sign up here: https://loom.ly/dQsmqVw

Please consider sharing this post or passing it along to any teens who may be interested.

WE CAN Expands Financial and Legal Services to

Falmouth Service Center

The Upper Cape and is now offering free and confidential one-on-one financial empowerment and legal services at the Falmouth Service Center. These consultations provide personalized guidance to help women build financial stability and navigate legal questions with confidence.

In addition to individual appointments, WE CAN will offer in-person workshops in Falmouth.

Upcoming workshops include:

• Create Lasting Habits for Credit and Budget Confidence

Thursday, February 5, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM

• Family Law Overview

Thursday, March 19, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM

To sign up for workshops or schedule a consultation, call 508-430-8111 or visit

www.wecancenter.org for more information.

Outside the Box, Inside the Community. Innovating Rural Health Care in Every Corner

Free Name Change Clinic

A no-cost Name Change Clinic will be held on March 7, 2026, from 2:30–5:00 PM at the Unitarian Church in Barnstable. Hosted by Fenway Health’s Violence Recovery Program in partnership with South Coastal Counties Legal Services, the clinic provides legal assistance to individuals seeking to legally change their name. Income eligibility applies, and advance RSVP is required.

employment opportunities

Hiring President & Chief Executive Officer

The Community Development Partnership is seeking a President & Chief Executive Officer to lead its work supporting affordable housing, small business growth, and a strong year-round Lower and Outer Cape community. The full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. 

Hiring Operations & Finance Coordinator

The Cape Cod Foundation is hiring a full-time Operations and Finance Coordinator to support grantmaking, financial operations, and internal systems. The position offers a hybrid work option, pays $28–$30 per hour, and applications will be accepted until filled. 

food and community resources

FOOD RESOURCE GUIDE

Service Directory Opportunity

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

Newsletter Sign-up & Submit

Yes! I'd like to received the Human Services e-newsletter. When you click 'sign me up!' you will have a choice to receive both the Human Services and/or RSAC e-news delivered directly to your inbox.

Submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form. Attachments must be in .PDF FORMAT ONLY please. Posting of articles submitted for this publication is at the discretion of the Department.