Volume 274 | July 23, 2020
RSAC
REGIONAL SUBSTANCE USE COUNCIL
Edition 101 | April 15, 2021
Welcome to the Barnstable County Regional Substance Use Council (RSAC)
E-Newsletter. This monthly newsletter is designed to provide information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment,
and recovery. For additional information visit the Department website at www.bchumanservices.net
SPOTLIGHT
NEW Funding Opportunity Announcement
Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Announces $12.5M Available for
New Coalitions Addressing Youth Substance Use Prevention
 
Application Due Date: 05/10/2021
 
On March 10, 2021, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) under the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program:
 
The DFC Program is a national effort to support communities in their fight against youth substance use. The DFC program, which is managed by CDC, has two goals:
 
  1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth; and
  2. Reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.
 
In alignment with these goals, the DFC Program is now accepting applications for new DFC coalitions. To be eligible for funding, a community coalition must have never received a DFC grant previously. Recipients are expected to work with leaders in their communities to identify and address local youth substance use problems and create sustainable community-level change through the implementation of evidence-based and practice-based strategies.
 
These awards will support coalitions as they design programs aligned to the Strategic Prevention Framework and the Seven Strategies for Community Change. Coalitions work with representatives from twelve sectors within their communities to implement activities such as providing information, enhancing skills, changing policies, and more. Recipients can receive up to $125,000 per year for up to five years.
  
All applicants interested in this funding opportunity are strongly encouraged to attend the Drug-Free Communities - Applicant Workshop Webinar on March 25, 2021, from 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT. Please register in advance using the following link: https://tvworldwide.com/events/ondcp/2021/dfc/210325
For More Information
The Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at www.grants.gov by searching for CDC-RFA-CE21-2102.” Visit the Funding Opportunity (CDC-RFA-CE21-2102) online for additional information.
 
Application due: May 10, 2021
 
Additional resources to help interested coalitions prepare their applications, such as FAQs, will be posted to the CDC funding announcements page as they are available. ONDCP and CDC work in partnership to manage the DFC Program. To learn more about DFC Program, visit the CDC DFC webpages.
 
Contact us: Questions about the NOFO from prospective applicants will be accepted via email through May 9, 2021, please email [email protected]. Reponses to questions posed by prospective applicants will be published on the funding announcements page.  
Federal Grantees May Now Use Funds to Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips

Impacted Grantees - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today that federal funding may now be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS) in an effort to help curb the dramatic spike in drug overdose deaths largely driven by the use of strong synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
 
Overdose response programs funded through the following awards will be directly impacted and can now use program funds to purchase FTS.
 
CDC’s multiyear Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement began in September 2019 and funds health departments in 47 states; Washington, D.C.; two territories; and 16 cities and counties for drug overdose surveillance and prevention efforts. Funds awarded as part of this agreement support health departments in obtaining high quality, more comprehensive, and timelier data on overdose morbidity and mortality and using those data to implement prevention and response efforts.
 
SAMHSA’s State Opioid Response (SOR) grant aims to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to medication-assisted treatment, reducing unmet treatment need and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths through supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery activities for opioid use disorder. SOR supplements current state and territory opioid-related activities and supports a comprehensive response to the opioid epidemic.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod Offering Monthly Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training

The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod offers monthly Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 2:00PM. These training sessions will focus on Harm Reduction Methods as it relates to injection drug use, how to recognize, respond to and prevent opioid overdoses and breaking the stigma associated with individuals who inject drugs. You will also learn how to access Narcan. To access the monthly training, use this Zoom link on the scheduled date and time or email Blake Gronlund at [email protected] for more information. 
ASGCC Offers Stimulant Use Drop-in Group

AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod is offering twice-monthly drop-in groups for individuals who identify with stimulant use in any stage of recovery. For more information or to receive the Zoom link, contact 774-763-6656 or email [email protected]
Youth & Young Adult Homelessness – Take the Survey!

The Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services and its Youth and Young Adult Homelessness partners will be working with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and the Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth for the annual Massachusetts Youth Count. The Massachusetts Youth Count mobilizes youth, young adults, youth providers funded by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Continua of Care, schools, and other community partners to survey young people under the age of 25 from across the Commonwealth who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The insights and data gathered from the survey process are used to influence advocacy and programming to address youth and young adult homelessness. The count will be conducted between April 12th and May 24th.
Information on the survey can be found HERE.
Calmer Choice Spring Mindfulness Offerings

  • This Spring, Calmer Choice Offers New, Online Mindfulness Courses for Adults
  • FREE Morning Mindful Awareness Online Practice Groups
Try our free, online, mindful awareness practice groups meeting for basic mindfulness instruction, followed by a 15–20-minute guided mindful awareness practice.

These group sessions are facilitated over Zoom and you do not need to commit to all sessions. Join when you can!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 am
Thursday, 7:00 am – Mindful Stretching & Awareness Practice
Visit www.calmerchoice.org for full course listings and free mindfulness resources.
Recovery Coaching - With a Focus on Health and Wellness

What is Recovery Wellness Coaching? Click on button below for more information.
STATE NEWS
Upcoming Trainings

The mission of AdCare Educational Institute is to advance awareness, knowledge and skills in the prevention, intervention and treatment of substance abuse and related public health issues. The Institute accomplishes its mission through the development and implementation of high quality, yet affordable training programs and educational events. Activities are offered to individuals and organizations who directly or indirectly encounter problems associated with substance abuse or are affected by other public health issues. To view upcoming trainings and webinars, click button below.
FREE SCOPE of Pain Education Opportunity

Join us for a SCOPE of Pain Live Meeting! SCOPE of Pain is a continuing medical education/continuing nursing education activity designed to help you safely and effectively manage patients with acute and/or chronic pain, when appropriate, with opioid analgesics. Through the case of Kathy James, a 32-year-old who has a displaced right femoral neck fracture due to a motor vehicle crash, you'll learn how to:

  1. Optimize safety when prescribing opioids for acute pain
  2. Determine when opioid analgesics are indicated for chronic pain
  3. Assess pain and prescription opioid misuse risk
  4. Educate patients about opioid risks and realistic benefits
  5. Monitor patients on opioid therapy for benefits and harms
  6. Assess and manage worrisome opioid-taking behaviors
  7. Safely taper long-term opioid therapy
  8. Identify and manage patients with an opioid use disorder
Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative. The PPP Deadline's Extended to May 31 - But Don't Wait, Sign Up Today

On Thursday, March 25, Congress gave approval for a two-month extension of the PPP with a new deadline of May 31, plus time for bank processing. We will share more news as it becomes available.
Both the application and forgiveness process may seem complicated, but the MEPPPAI can help (in 7 languages)! In 2020, we helped over 400 small businesses obtain an estimated $4.5 million in PPP loans. Sign up TODAY.
More businesses are eligible now for the PPP.

  • Many Businesses Qualify for More Funds than in 2020. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and the self-employed can get a loan, even without having a payroll or profit. They can also get more than they were able to get through the PPP in 2020.

  • Have an ITIN and no SSN? Criminal Record? Delinquent Student Loans? No Problem. The new rules make the PPP accessible to more small businesses and nonprofits.

  • Spent Your PPP Loan and Still Need Help? Get Another One. Small businesses that already received a PPP loan in 2020 can apply for another one if they meet certain qualifications.

  • No Repayment Required. The PPP is a forgivable loan, meaning it would not have to be paid back if used for specific, eligible uses.

Sign up TODAY to get help with your application from the Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative. Learn More

Check out "Myths about the PPP" and our "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" about changes to the PPP below.
 
Dispelling 9 Myths About the PPP
Support After A Death by Overdose

SADOD provides resources, information, and assistance to people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause. Our focus is on increasing the capacity and effectiveness of peer grief support for bereaved people, frontline care providers, and people in recovery or struggling with drug use.
NATIONAL NEWS
Webinar: Learning Effective Prevention Engagement in African American Communities & Sharing Successes - 1:00pm - 2:00pm April 21, 2021

Participants will learn key strategies and practical method to implement prevention in the urban and black community. The presenters review African American history and how it impacts the way organizations learn and ultimately define what prevention is or is not for their targeted population. Participants will explore what the national data offers about African Americans drug and mental health concerns, learn specific prevention principles, and how to apply these principles within the African American/urban communities. By the end of the training participants will:
Learning Objectives:
 
  • Know the history of African American community as it related to substance misuse
  • Learn Prevention basics to apply to African American communities.
  • Learn the SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework and how it can be an effective method for African American serving organizations .
  • Identifying best evidence-based practice programs and organizations for African American serving organizations.
First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grants (Short Title: FR-CARA). The purpose of this program is to allow first responders and members of other key community sectors to administer a drug or device approved or cleared under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose. Recipients will train and provide resources to first responders and members of other key community sectors at the state, tribal, and local governmental levels on carrying and administering a drug or devices approved or cleared under the FD&C Act for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose. Recipients will also establish processes, protocols, mechanisms for referral to appropriate treatment and recovery support services, and safety around fentanyl, carfentanil, and other dangerous licit and illicit drugs.
Eligible applicants are:

  • State governments;
  • Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and consortia of tribes or tribal organizations; and
  • Local governmental entities including, but not limited to, municipal corporations, counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, and townships.
Funding Opportunity: Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant Program

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 Community Mental Health Centers (Short Title: CMHC) grant program. The purpose of this program is to enable community mental health centers to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively address the needs of individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED), serious mental illness (SMI), and individuals with SMI or SED and substance use disorders, referred to as co-occurring disorder (COD). SAMHSA recognizes the needs of individuals with behavioral health conditions, including minority populations and economically disadvantaged communities, have not been met during the pandemic and that CMHC staff and other caregivers have been impacted.
Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19

SAMHSA is committed to providing regular training and technical assistance (TTA) on matters related to the mental and substance use disorder field as they deal with COVID-19.

Our TA programs are delivering great resources during this time. View the updated available TTA resources to assist with the current situation. To download the latest TTA, click here. – link it to the attached pdf.
Treatment for Youth and Young Adults with Mood Disorders and Other Serious Emotional Disturbances and Co-occurring Substance Use

This guide reviews interventions on treating substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUD) in youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED), distills the research into recommendations for practice, and provides examples of the ways that these recommendations can be implemented.
COVID-19
Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force has collected helpful wellness resources for you during COVID-19. Please check back regularly as we add to these resources. 
 
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. These tools apply to those of all ages, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and elders.
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.
GROUP MEETINGS
Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide
Asking for help is the first important step.
Alcohol and other drug problems are treatable disorders. If you want to talk with a knowledgeable Information and Referral Specialist now,
Call 800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065 or view our Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide below.
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 Continue Digital Meetings 

The LGBTQ+ group Thrive is for folks ages 13 to 22. We have been meeting virtually every Wednesday at 4 pm for fun, support, and more! This group creates space to discuss gender, sexuality, race, and our day to day among other things. If you are interested in joining one of our events, please email [email protected] or check out our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeThriveLGBTQCenterCapeCod
Instagram: @cigsya Twitter: @thriveatcigsya 
HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES
CONTINUUM OF
CARE
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
REGIONAL NETWORK ON
HOMELESSNESS
REGIONAL
SUBSTANCE USE
COUNCIL
SHINE-
SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS
FOR EVERYONE
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT HOMELESSNESS
RESOURCES
SERVICE DIRECTORY
211 ASSISTANCE
MY CHOICE MATTERS
SUBSTANCE USE
RESOURCE GUIDE
EMERGENCY HOTLINES
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSION FOR NEWSLETTER
  • 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.
  • 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.