HUMAN SERVICES
Creating a Healthy Connected Cape Cod
Edition 283 | November 13, 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
It's Health Connector Open Enrollment Time - Community Actions Committee of Cape Cod & Islands has Phone appointments available Call Today! 
COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Important: If You are Having Trouble Paying
Your Rent or Mortgage Because of Covid

There’s a lot of confusion about the federal eviction moratorium that’s now in place and what’s expected of tenants. What we know right now, is that for tenants to qualify for protection under the federal government’s moratorium, a tenant must apply for all available financial assistance and complete a declaration notice. Both the financial assistance application form and the federal declaration form are available online at www.haconcapecod.org
New Website Launched to Help Parents Support their Children’s Mental Health

Recognizing the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on children’s mental health, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) joined forces with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to launch HandholdMA.org, a new family-friendly website for parents and guardians of school-aged children who are concerned about their child’s mental health. HandholdMA.org provides families with tips, tools, and resources designed to help them navigate their child’s mental health journey with confidence. The content, which is targeted to families with kids age 6-12 years, was developed by a team of mental health and child development experts as well as family and community partners. A creative team from IDEO Cambridge designed the user experience and branding.
MGCC extends deadline for COVID-19 Grants for Massachusetts Small Businesses to 11/17/2

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $50.8 million in grants available to support small businesses, micro-enterprises, and their employees, families and communities. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will be administering these funds to businesses experiencing economic hardship and a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Making Change for Veterans Coin Drive

This holiday season every penny counts, and every donation helps make sure no veteran is left to fight their personal battle alone. Throughout the holidays you can donate your spare change at any Mid-Cape Home Centers location or Coinstar kiosk. All proceeds go toward housing and homelessness prevention programs and services for veterans.
Free Options Counseling Courtesy of CORD

C.O.R.D. offers free counseling regarding nursing home selection, alternatives and community services that may prevent someone from needing a nursing home. Please contact Steve Spillane at 508.499.8409 X 2122.
Drive-Thru Food Distribution at Cape Cod Community College in November

The U.S. Farmers to Families Food Box program is now available on the Mid-Cape at Cape Cod Community College, 2040 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668. To reserve your box of food, you must register online by clicking below button.
Perfectly Different Faces
Duffy Health Center Publishes Children’s Book Written & Illustrated by Staff 

Duffy Health Center has published its own children’s book, entitled Perfectly Different Faces. The book, by Duffy team members Melissa Payne (author) and Jeremy Wurzburg (illustrator), is about the individuals served at Duffy Health Center in Hyannis. Duffy is an integrated health care center that provides primary care, mental health, case management and substance use disorder treatment services for those who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness here on Cape Cod. 
November Calendar of Events

We have added new interactive programming including Imagination Time, Family Talk, Dads’ Talk, Afterschool Line, Resource Table Talk, Holiday Resource Table talk, Sweet Creations, Dad’s Squad, Family Fun DIY Kit, and Anger Management Support Group.

If interested in registering please contact us at
508-815-5100. 
FORWARD at the Rock Welcomes Residents and Prepares to Celebrate 

FORWARD (Friends Or Relatives With Autism & Related Disabilities) announced today that following 10 months of construction, FORWARD at the Rock, a Cape Cod regional affordable housing initiative, has welcomed its first eight residents. Situated on four acres of town-owned land in Dennis, the complex consists of two single-story side-by-side homes, each with four bedrooms. Construction was completed on-time and on-budget by Cape Associates, the project’s general contractor.
Provincetown Human Services Grant Program

The Town of Provincetown Human Services Grant Program application for FY2022 funding is now available and can be completed on the Town website under the Human Services Department. The deadline for submission is noon on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. For further information, contact Chris Hottle, Director, Dept. of Human Services at [email protected] or 508-487-7080.
EDUCATION
Educational Opportunities

Numerous opportunities to continue your education, click below to see all offerings.
Register Now For Any of These FREE Programs Offered by the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership.

There is a schedule of free virtual educational opportunities through December below. These programs are the first in a series of technical assistance and capacity-building programs offered by the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership in collaboration with Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and Philanthropy Massachusetts. They are in direct response to input from more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts about the most significant training and capacity-building needs they are facing as a result of COVID-19.
EVENTS / TRAININGS
Managing Dementia Care in the Time of COVID-19 with TEEPA SNOW, Recording of FREE Zoom Video Training Made Available by Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod

“COVID-19 has made the caregiving role of those dealing with dementia disease far more challenging” says Alzheimer’s Family Support Center Executive Director Dr. Molly Perdue. “The skills taught in these sessions can make all the difference in how caregivers can safely and sanely navigate these challenges.”
Survivor Day Takes Place on Saturday, November 21, 2020. We Encourage You to Save the Date and Generously Share with Others

Each year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in the U.S., those who have lost a loved one to suicide gather at events all over the world on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, also known as Survivor Day. There, whether virtually or in person, suicide loss survivors connect with others in their local community to share stories, gain insight about healing, and find comfort and hope in the knowledge that they are not alone.
Give Back on Giving Tuesday!

December 1 is #GivingTuesday! The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites you to join us in building mentally healthy, suicide-safe communities by making a gift to our life-saving mission. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., but we know from research that it can be prevented. That’s why we are working to save lives by increasing awareness and education, supporting those affected by suicide and those who struggle, fighting for smart legislation, and funding innovative research grants.
2020 HIP & SNAP Fall & Winter Farmers' Markets & Farms
Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Cape Cod Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 19, 2020 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Join us for a virtual celebration of life to honor and remember the victims of anti-trans violence. Speakers including Michael Cox of Black & Pink, Jennifer Love of the National LGBT/HIV Criminal Justice Working Group, Lysetta Hurge-Putnam Executive Director of Independence House, Rabbi Elias J. Lieberman, and Angelina Resto.
OLDER ADULTS
Medicare OPEN ENROLLMENT Going on Now: Oct. 1, 2020 - Dec. 7, 2020 with Telephonic Appointments Only

Helping people navigate their insurance needs to best suit their lifestyle is something that takes experience and knowledge of the system. SHINE Counselors can help guide you through this process. 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
November News
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 
The LGBTQ+ youth group Thrive for youth ages 13 to 22 has been meeting virtually every Wednesday starting at 4 as a check in. We have weekly presentations from Thrive members and members of the community. This group is a safe space to discuss Gender, sexuality and race amongst other things. One Thursday out of every month we have a discussion on Race and Culture which strives to help educate people on these topics, especially with the current Civil Rights movement that is occurring. If you are interested in joining one of our meetings or interested in presenting on a topic, please email [email protected] and include your name, the topic you are presenting and a brief description.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Latham Centers Human Rights Committee Seeks: Volunteer Attorney/Law Student or Paralegal 
Latham Centers, Inc. is a non-profit Cape Cod based agency that provides educational, residential and vocational training and support to individuals with disabilities.
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
Provincetown COVID-19 Resource Guide Available Online
The Eight Part COVID Survival Kit Ways to Make Your Life Predictable, Moderate, and Controllable (COVID PMC) 

In an April 01 2020 edition of Psychology Today Veronika Tait PhD interviewed Bruce Perry MD and together they shared a COVID 19 Pandemic Toolkit for Parents. Although this tool kit is designated for parents and is focused on children we will use this Tool Kit as a guide to review over the fall and winter months to some essential tools to help us deal with stress of COVID 19 pandemic. These tools apply to those of all ages, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and elders.

Each month we will highlight Tools to help manage this crisis and identify for you web videos, articles, discussions, and resources we have found helpful.
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.
Wishing You & Yours A Wonderful Thanksgiving!
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