spotlights

NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER MONTH - "DISCOVER YOURS"

Celebrated every year in September, National Senior Center Month is a time to shine a light on senior centers, showing the entire nation how vital they are to the health and well-being of a community. Senior centers provide countless hours of support and encouragement to older adults and have become integral to health care delivery in our communities by providing COVID-19 guidance, vaccine education, and vaccinations to their participants. They offer a place for older adults to discover their unique interests, talents, and aspirations. 

Today, nearly 11,000 senior centers serve one million older adults, connecting them to vital services every day. In fact, older adults who participate in senior center programs experience better psychological well-being compared to non-participants. CLICK HERE to learn more about upcoming programming happening at local centers >>>.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for resources to raise awareness for suicide prevention and treatment, know the risks and warning signs for suicide and what to do in a crisis.

988 Partner Toolkit

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in America.

The 988 Partner Toolkit offers a variety of awareness and educational materials that are regularly updated. Partners can use or adapt these outreach materials, and build upon them, with your community coalitions to meet the needs of their specific audiences. We have designed some products, such as videos with no music, with the idea that partners may mash them up to make what you want and need for various communications platforms.

Local Awareness Event: Ribbon Ceremony and Lunch at Cape Cod Community College

You are invited to the Cape Cod Community College Inner Courtyard from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on September 14, 2023 to hang ribbons of remembrance for those lost to suicide and support the many survivors of suicide loss for National Suicide Prevention Month. View the flyer for this event here >>>.

aging well & healthy living

CAREGIVER LUNCHEON AND EXPO

ARE YOU OVER 55, UNEMPLOYED AND HAVING DIFFICULTY NAVIGATING A PATH TO RE-EMPLOYMENT? EARN WHILE YOU LEARN WITH SCSEP!

MEDICARE FRAUD PREVENTION WORKSHOP

Join us at this informative workshop where a representative from the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program will provide tools and information to help protect ourselves and our loved ones from Medicare fraud and deceptive marketing tactics. Scams are increasing, and scammers are becoming savvier. Learn how you can spot them!

Registration required— please call (508) 430-7550.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Date: September 14, 2023 (Thursday)

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: Harwich Council on Aging, 100 Oak St, Harwich

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: HEARING LOSS EDUCATION

Join Jonathan O'Dell, Assistive Technology Manager/Training Specialist from Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on Monday, September 18th, from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM to learn about communication access with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This meeting is virtual via ZOOM.

MEETING ID: 861 2766 7876

PASSWORD: 701716

JOIN ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86127667876?pwd=QzF1VjJjeTNXWDhJMmpSSFBLb0xDdz09

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS 65 AND OLDER

If you have MassHealth, you will need to renew your coverage this year. If you are 65 years or older, we are here to help! Support staff will be at the Barnstable Adult Community Center (BACC) located at 825 Falmouth Road in Hyannis on September 13, 2023, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to help you complete the renewal. Make your reservation now by calling (800) 841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711.

behavioral health

UNDERSTANDING LGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH

People within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities community comprise a wealth of different backgrounds, viewpoints, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, and sexual preferences.

This diverse collection of people also has a higher risk of living with mental health conditions than the heterosexual and cisgender population.

The social stigma and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people create stress and hardship that can lead to mental health conditions. Such stress also makes it hard for queer people to seek medical and mental health treatment.

If you or someone you care about is struggling, you/they deserve help. If you are a care provider, you need accurate information to craft compassionate approaches to helping others.

PERINATAL LOSS PEER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

Have you experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth or early infant loss? Our clinician-led peer support group provides an inclusive and welcoming space for bereaved parents to process their grief and build community through the shared experience of loss.

Sharing Kindness and the VNA’s Maternal Child Health Program are honored to bring perinatal loss peer grief support groups to Cape Cod. 

DETAILS

1st Tuesday of each month, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Yarmouth Port, MA (venue disclosed upon registration) 

No drop-ins; registration required to attend group. 

Support groups are made possible by grant funding from the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation. 

housing & homelessness

ROUGH SLEEPERS: AN EVENING WITH BEST-SELLING AUTHOR TRACY KIDDER & DR. JIM O'CONNELL

Join us for an informative and inspiring evening with best-selling author Tracy Kidder and Dr. Jim O'Connell, President of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. They will discuss Kidder’s book, Rough Sleepers, which chronicles O’Connell’s urgent mission to bring healing to homeless people in the city of Boston. 

The evening will also feature Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta and other special guests who will talk about the protracted housing crisis on Cape Cod and the changing face of the region’s homeless population. 

The event is co-sponsored by the Jewel Cobb Action Coalition and Housing Assistance.

DETAILS

Event Website >>>

Date: September 22, 2023 (Friday)

Time: 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM Reception with Author • 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM Presentation and Q & A

BARNSTABLE COUNTY HOME PROGRAM: CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2022

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium has completed its Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Program Year 2022 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). The HOME Consortium was awarded $480,419 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out the goals and objectives set forth in the HOME Program’s 2020 - 2024 Consolidated Plan and 2022 Annual Action Plan. The CAPER is a year-end report that outlines the accomplishments and challenges of the Barnstable County HOME Program. 

The Barnstable County HOME staff will conduct a virtual public meeting on the draft 2022 CAPER on September 19, 2023, at 3:00 PM to obtain comments and views from citizens, public agencies, community organizations, and interested parties. The draft 2022 CAPER along with additional information is available on the HOME Program Website >>>.

Comments on the draft 2022 CAPER may be sent by mail to:

Barnstable County Department of Human Services

HOME Program

P.O. Box 427

Barnstable, MA 02630

Comments may also be sent by email to: [email protected]. Comments will be accepted through September 25, 2023 and will be summarized in the final CAPER submitted to HUD.  

HELP FAMILIES IN CRISIS

Find ways to support families seeking safety and shelter in Massachusetts.

Anyone who is interested in helping can contact [email protected] or call Mass 2-1-1. More info is at mass.gov/sheltercrisis. 

To donate to the migrant fund visit https://unitedwaymassbay.org/migrant-relief-fund/. 

The Massachusetts Migrant Families Relief Fund is a partnership between United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Boston Foundation to address the acute humanitarian crisis faced by new arrivals seeking asylum in Massachusetts, while also supporting the local, trusted community-based organizations directly serving new arrivals in our region. 

SHINE

ARE YOU READY FOR MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT? SHINE CAN HELP!

Open enrollment is October 15th – December 7th and state certified SHINE counselors are available at your local senior center by appointment to help you understand health care coverage, review cost increases, and find out what’s new with Medicare.

The time is now to review your Medicare coverage! By Sept. 30 each Medicare beneficiary receives an Annual Notice of Coverage, which includes important information regarding Medicare costs and benefits. You can compare your Medicare benefits and health insurance options at no cost with your local SHINE counselor.

Meeting with a certified SHINE volunteer during open enrollment may reduce your out of pocket medical and/or prescription drug costs. In addition, a SHINE counselor can help you identify public programs that can help with premiums, copayments and health coverage based on income and assets.

SHINE appointments fill up fast during this busy period, so contact your local senior center to avoid making last-minute decisions or staying in a plan that no longer works for you. Appointments may be in person, on the phone, or virtual.

scams & fraud

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS): PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD AND SCAMS

Recognize and Report Fraud!

• Slow Down: Scammers rely on urgency to create panic. Be cautious of anything that implies you must act immediately. Take the time to review the message, then review it again.

• Don’t Click/Check the Link: Legitimate UPS links will start with “https://www.ups.com”, “https://billing.ups.com”, "https://go.ups.com" or "http:/links4.upsemail.com".

• Check the Details: Are there spelling or grammar errors? Generic greetings, like “Sir or Madame?” Fraudsters will frequently use small typos to trick you into clicking on the link.

• Report It - Report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

• Delete and Block It - So you don’t accidentally interact with it later.

• If It Seems Too Good to be True... then it probably is. Scammers may sell fake labels at deep discounts.

WHAT ARE COMMON SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS? A GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS

While Social Security payments are a lifeline for many older adults, beneficiaries are a prime target for con artists and thieves.

In 2022, consumers reported losing more than $104.5 million to Social Security-related scams.

Learn about common Social Security scams—and what red flags to look out for—so you can keep your personal details and money safe.

upcoming community events

RESOURCE FAIR: PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED OF SUPPORT

Come and learn about state and local programs and services that are beneficial to survivors of domestic violence and others in need of supportive services. Refreshments and giveaways provided!

DETAILS

Thursday, September 21, 2023

1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors

22 Mid-Tech Dr., West Yarmouth

Hosted by the Cape and Islands Regional Domestic Violence Council, Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office, Independence House, Inc, and Yarmouth Police Department.

SAMARITANS HOSTS A BEACON OF HOPE EVENT

The Beacon of Hope is an event held during World Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness about the impact of suicide prevention and postvention services and the lifesaving work of our programs. The first annual Beacon of Hope event was held in 2022 to celebrate 45 years of The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands and we thank all who helped to make the evening a success!

Featured speaker: Jack Jordan, PhD., clinical psychologist specializing in suicide bereavement.

For event details, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets ($75), visit:

https://capesamaritans.org/beacon-of-hope/ >>>.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH: RIBBON CEREMONY AND LUNCH AT CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

You are invited to the Cape Cod Community College Inner Courtyard from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on September 14, 2023 to hang ribbons of remembrance for those lost to suicide and support the many survivors of suicide loss for National Suicide Prevention Month.

2023 SOUTH SHORE/CAPE COD OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK, SEPTEMBER 30TH

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, September 30th
• Location: Buzzards Bay Park - Bourne, MA
• Check-in/Registration Time: 9:00 am
• Event Begins: 10:00 am
• Parking: Free
• Walk Route: 2.5 miles ... wheelchair and stroller friendly!
• Dog Friendly: YES!

For more information, please call (617) 439-0940 or email [email protected],

If you would like to walk with the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention coalition team, please email us at [email protected].

employment opportunities

HIRING DECKHANDS FOR COUNTY DREDGE - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

The Barnstable County Dredging Department is seeking to fill a full-time Deckhand position for the support of dredging operations and related work. If you love a marine environment and are not afraid of hard work, the County Dredge is where you want to be. No experience necessary, we will train the right person. Preference is given to applicants that have boating experience.

Must be able to pass a post offer physical exam and have a valid driver’s license.

Applicants must be able to work over 40 hours per week, including Saturday’s and Holiday’s, if needed (as overtime pay), during the dredging season (September through May).

For more questions, please call Ken at (508) 375-3655 or email [email protected].

BARNSTABLE COUNTY CHILDREN'S COVE IS HIRING!

The Community Engagement Specialist role is to raise awareness of the mission of the agency, develop and coordinate volunteers, and support child abuse prevention initiatives in the community. This position supports or develops positive working relationships with public and private schools, daycares, hospitals, community agencies, community groups, and utilize volunteers to expand reach.

The Community Engagement Specialist will work collaboratively with community organizations to participate in informational and outreach events, provide prevention education and awareness about child sexual abuse to the community and engage in targeted outreach efforts for under-represented communities. Candidates should be a self-starter, energized, detail-oriented and flexible.

This is a grant funded, full-time position with a starting salary range of $48,616 -$53,123 (depending on experience) and a competitive benefits package.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES IS HIRING!

St. Joseph’s House is a DHCD-funded individual emergency overnight shelter program for men and women facing a housing crisis. The main focus of the shelter program is to help individuals achieve successful placement into stable housing. Additionally, Catholic Social Services connects individuals to resources that are available within their respective communities to sustain long-term stable housing.

funding opportunities

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FY2025 FOR HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES

The Town of Brewster’s Health and Human Services Committee is now accepting applications for funding for Fiscal Year 2025 from human services agencies serving the residents of the Town of Brewster.

Qualifying agencies are invited to submit funding applications, in response to needs identified in the community, including but not limited to; services for children, teens, elders, families-at-risk; services addressing housing and hunger; and mental health issues. Applications selected for funding will be included in an appropriation article at the 2024 Spring Annual Town Meeting. A link to the application can be found here.

The Health and Human Services Committee was established to enhance the quality of life of all Brewster residents by ensuring a range of health and human services in an effective and cost-efficient manner. The Committee evaluates and assesses the health and human service needs of the town, reviews and weighs requests for financial assistance, sets priorities and submits recommendations concerning the funding of those agencies and organizations best able to provide needed services to the town.

Agencies must submit ten (10) hard copies of their application packet to: Conor Kenny, Project Manager, Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 by October 13, 2023. 

food resources

CAPE COD FOOD ACCESS GUIDE FALL 2023

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.