Volume 274 | July 23, 2020

HUMAN SERVICES
Creating a Healthy Connected Cape Cod

Edition 279 | September 18, 2020
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.
SPOTLIGHT
For Immediate Release: Barnstable County Provides Emergency Rental Assistance to Cape Cod Residents
Barnstable, Massachusetts, September 9, 2020 –The Barnstable County HOME Program announces a new emergency rental assistance program that provides relief to Cape Cod residents impacted by COVID-19. $100,000 in HOME funds has been targeted to provide rental assistance to Barnstable County households.
COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Complete your 2020 Census Today!
It is time for you to respond to the 2020 Census. To date, only 42.7% of Cape Cod’s residents have responded. Our schools, government, local businesses, and non-profit organizations rely on Census data to make important decisions. Data collected through the census is used to determine the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds every year to state and local governments. Without a complete count, Cape Cod risks losing critical funding and resources necessary to sustain our region for the next decade. It’s easy to fill out your census. You can respond online (www.my2020census.gov) as well as by phone and by mail.

Please help shape our future and complete your census form today.
Community Drive-Thru Flu Shot Event

September 26th from 8:00am-12:00pm
Parent Education & Support Opportunities in the Month of September

Check out the upcoming programming!

Your Chance to Help Habitat and the Environment!

Purchase a reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS bag at the Shaw's located at 1108 Route 28, South Yarmouth.

$1 from each bag sold this month (September) will be donated to Habitat Cape Cod.
HAC Opens Satellite Office at LCOC In Orleans

Lower Cape Outreach Council is joining forces with Housing Assistance at its offices at 19 Brewster Cross Road in Orleans. Now residents of the Lower and Outer Cape who want in-person assistance can access the many food, utility, housing, financial assistance and other services from both organizations at one location with social distancing safety precautions in place.



This year, Housing Assistance Corporation is excited to announce it is keeping its Big Fix-A-Thon going and keeping volunteers safe by going virtual!

Register Today for the Virtual Big Fix-A-Thon! 

Help us use the excitement energy, and enthusiasm this annual event generates by participating in this year's Virtual Big Fix-A-Thon to help year-rounders stay housed and safe. The Big Fix-A-Thon is running today through Saturday, October 3 when Housing Assistance will celebrate this year's fundraising and volunteer efforts with a video that you can watch on its Facebook page.
You can sign up as a Big Fix Fundraiser; Big Fix Neighbor; or a Big Fix Fundraiser and Neighbor.
All funds raised from this year's Big Fix-A-Thon will go to support Housing Assistance's Workforce Housing Relief Fund which provides one-time emergency financial assistance for households on Cape Cod and the Islands who have been impacted by the pandemic and who don't qualify for public funding.
DEPARTMENT NEWS

Recent Testimonial Excerpt:

..."I had been working on this application for about one year. Without Tracey's patience, kindness and knowledge, I am certain my wife's acceptance and $300/month savings would not have occured."

Gratefully,
D.F. Noonan, Sandwich
SHINE, Helping to Navigate the Best Direction for Your MEDICARE Needs

Helping people navigate their insurance needs to best suit their lifestyle is something that takes experience and knowledge of the system. SHINE Regional Manager Tracey Benson is that ray of light guiding others as their insurance needs change.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT begins October 1st, 2020 thru Dec. 7, 2020. If you would like to schedule a telephonic appointment for MEDICARE Open Enrollment, please call your local COA (Council on Aging) below or the Regional SHINE office at 508-375-6762. 

CAPE COD COUNCILS ON AGING (COA)

  • Barnstable 508-862-4750
  • Bourne 508-759-0600 x5300
  • Brewster 508-896-2737
  • Chatham 508-945-5190
  • Dennis 508-385-5067
  • Eastham 774-801-3151
  • Falmouth 508-540-0196
  • Harwich 508-430-7550
  • Mashpee 508-539-1440
  • Orleans 508-255-6333
  • * Provincetown 508-487-7080
  • Sandwich 508-888-4737
  • Truro 508-487-2462
  • * Wellfleet 508-349-2800
  • Yarmouth 508-394-7606

* Call Regional Office 508-375-6762
EDUCATION
Take Advantage Many Great Options!

Numerous opportunities to continue your education, click below to see all offerings.
Adult & Continuing Education at Upper Cape Technical School
Thinking about a career in healthcare or the trades? Explore all our courses and programs at
EVENTS / TRAININGS
Calmer Choice Online Adult Mindfulness Course Beginning in October
Calmer Choice is offering two sessions of their online, 8-week program that provides skills and tools to support personal stress management and emotional health and well-being for adults during this trying time. Please email [email protected] with questions.
Free Webinar on New Cervical Cancer Guidelines 
Dr. Rebecca Perkins, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine, reviews the new 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines for Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors. Dr. Perkins outlines the new risk-based approach for management of abnormal Pap and HPV test results, the foundational science behind the new guidelines, and how to distinguish patients requiring immediate evaluation from those who can be safely followed in 1 year or more. Tools and resources including identification of common case presentation and sample scripts to help facilitate conversations with patients, are provided.
This course is intended for family medicine, general internal medicine, obstetrical, gynecological and primary care providers.
NAMI Basics, a free 6-week course for parents and family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral issues
RecoveryRide for RecoveryBuild September 1-30, 2020
GROW Program for Women Entrepreneurs - Info Sessions 

GROW (Get Results with Others’ Wisdom) is a six-month program designed specifically for women entrepreneurs. Through facilitated peer mentoring and accountability, and by offering a safe and confidential setting, you will find support to help you adapt, stabilize, and grow your business in this new economy. This fall, WE CAN will once again be offering the GROW program, and you can learn more at this Info Session.
To register for an Info Session, which will be held via Zoom, call 508-430-8111 or email [email protected]
Develop A Professional Resume 

Tuesday, September 22 @ 6:00-7:30pm via Zoom

Meet your career goals! This workshop will help you write a resume that will present your career, unique qualities, and showcase your strengths, skills, and accomplishments.

In this workshop you will:

  • Learn how to write a targeted resume
  • Organize & format the sections of your resume
  • Develop the content to showcase your talents and accomplishments
  • Use keywords in your resume
  • Write a resume that will get the attention of hiring managers and recruiters

Please bring you previous resume to the workshop or write your job experience and have it ready for the workshop.

To register: call 508-430-8111 or email [email protected]
2020 EEOC Technical Assistance Training Seminar - Virtual

SEMINAR DATE: September 24, 2020

TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION: (Zoom for Government Webinar)

We will offer this seminar for the first time virtually. Get the most up to date information on developments in EEO law, the ADA, Race-related issues, retaliation and much more.
Learn Right Question Strategy
for Mediators: A 2-Part Virtual Interactive Training Via ZOOM
Please Note: Change of Date!

The RQI (Right Question Institute) training
Learn Right Question Strategy for Mediators
will now be held on the following dates:

Session I: October 8, 2020 at 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Session II: October 15, 2020 at 2:00-3:30 p.m.
The People's Law Firm Outreach Day Virtual Summit
We invite you to join the Attorney General’s Office for a deep overview of our actions and programs to assist communities and enforce worker’s rights, landlord/tenant rights, voter protection in light of upcoming elections, and much more! At this half day summit, service providers will learn about these efforts and legal assistance available and will be able to use the information to assist clients, members, constituents, and students served by their organizations. 
 
The People’s Law Firm Outreach Day Virtual Summit will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. JOIN US online!  
GROUP MEETINGS
Transgender Social Support Group
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.

Group via Zoom (5:30-7:00 pm) meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Contact Ann at [email protected] 
for more information and Zoom link.
Thrive! CIGSYA - LGBTQ+ and Ally Center of Cape Cod
Join us for community and connection! Email [email protected] for our Wednesday event digital meeting link and connect with us on FACEBOOK and Instagram (@CIGSYA). IF you wish to be a community member presenter please email [email protected] 
OLDER ADULTS
This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.

The more people vaccinated; the more people protected. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall.
RMV September Senior Days

Senior Days in September for customers age 75+ whose licenses expire in September!
Social Security September News!

Click below to read more.

EMPLOYMENT

Many Opportunities Available!

Click below to view all positions.


Position Available!

Click below to view position.

Hiring for In Home Therapist & Outpatient Therapist

Click below to view both positions.

COVID-19 NOTICES / RESOURCES
Barnstable County COVID-19 Recovery Resources
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.
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment: COVID-19 Updates
Food Access & Resources During
COVID-19
Community Agencies and Therapists Offering Telehealth Support
The Barnstable County Children's Behavioral Health Work Group has developed a list of community agencies offering telehealth support HERE.

Please email [email protected] 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.
Provincetown COVID-19 Resource Guide Available Online
Providing Support for Wellfleet Residents During The Pandemic
The Wellfleet Well Line (508-514-1633) is officially up and running. As a group of health care professionals, each with lifelong and varied careers, we came together to provide emotional support to the Wellfleet community during this trying time. 

We welcome the opportunity to help in any way, which includes the dissemination of updated health and safety information to the community. Having accurate information, gives us the ability to make informed decisions, it relieves anxiety and engenders trust in those in charge.
COVID-19 Test Site Locator
CLICK GRAPHIC TO ENTER TEST SITE

This map provides an easy way to locate a COVID-19 test site near you. All of those experiencing symptoms or those who have been in close contact recently with a COVID positive individual should seek testing.
HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES
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NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS / GUIDELINES
Submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form. Submission buttons are located at the bottom of every newsletter and on the homepage of our website.

Please submit your news by clicking image on left.
  • Content Policy - Attachments must be in .PDF FORMAT ONLY please.
  • 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.