spotlight

MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL OPIOID ABATEMENT CONFERENCE

This inaugural conference is intended to connect municipalities to the resources and tools needed to uphold the requirements of the State Subdivision Agreement. 

Panelists include government officials, community leaders, and people from across the Commonwealth with expertise in opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. 

Day 1: March 19th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Day 2: March 20th, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

harm reduction

NATIONAL HARM REDUCTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) CENTER

The National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center (NHRTAC) provides free help to anyone in the country providing (or planning to provide) harm reduction services to their community. This may include syringe services programs, health departments, programs providing treatment for substance use disorder, as well as prevention and recovery programs.

Offering harm reduction services is an effective approach for preventing overdose, the spread of infectious disease, and other harms resulting from drug use. The goal of NHRTAC is to improve the capacity and performance of harm reduction programs throughout the United States by ensuring access to high-quality, comprehensive technical assistance. 

Programs implementing harm reduction services and other activities in support of the health and wellness of people who use drugs, should have easy access to resources and help. This TA Center will connect harm reduction programs to resources and experts that can help programs better serve their communities.

CDC established and expanded the NHRTAC in collaboration with SAMHSA to ensure comprehensive support of the integration of harm reduction strategies and principles across diverse community settings and within a treatment framework.

LOCAL HARM REDUCTION: AIDS SUPPORT GROUP OF CAPE COD

AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod saves lives through prevention, education and life-sustaining services that address public health crises to build healthy communities across the Cape and Islands.

prevention

REGISTER NOW FOR NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL FACTS WEEK

Your efforts to empower teens and young adults to make informed decisions about drugs and alcohol and to support their mental health are more important than ever. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) invite you to join in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), March 18–24, 2024. NDAFW is a weeklong national health observance inspiring dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth.

recovery

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INNOVATORS ALTERNATIVE PEER GROUP & BHI PASS EXPANDS PROGRAM

Behavioral Health Innovators (BHI) is a Cape Cod non-profit which helps teens struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. The group offers both BHI APG 

(Alternative Peer Group), a 6-month outpatient treatment and recovery program for teens struggling with substance use challenges, and BHI PASS (Positive Alternatives for 

Student Support), a supportive intervention model serving students facing suspension and also students identified as needing mental health and/or substance use support.

BHI APG has changed the hours of the program to 3:30 AM – 5:30 PM at both its Falmouth and Dennis locations. Together with its clinical partner Duffy Health Center, BHI APG offers teens a place where they can come together with peers to build the tools, skills and relationships to deal with substance use challenges under the expert guidance of a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Youth Behavioral Specialist, a Family Therapist, a Recovery Coach and Peer Mentors with lived experience.

BHI PASS now serves middle school students as well as high school students. As the program expands, BHI has hired PASS Supervisor Stephanie Gilrein to oversee its growth and school partnerships. 

To find out more about either program please contact stephanie@bhinnov.org

treatment

FREE WEBINAR: APPLYING THE 4MS (WHAT MATTERS, MEDICATION, MENTATION, AND MOBILITY) OF AN AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES

A movement to create Age-Friendly Health Systems is underway in the United States. The goal is to create health systems that ensure every older adult receives the best care possible, is not harmed by care, and is satisfied with the care they receive. Using the 4Ms framework brings focus to What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, and when put into practice, this framework is a success.

This webinar will take place on April 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST. Speakers include Erin Emery-Tiburcio, PhD, ABPP and Laura Porter, PhD.

FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE: MEDICATION FOR ADDICTION (MAT) AS A TOOL FOR TREATING THE JUSTICE INVOLVED

The opioid health crisis has made reentry into society for the justice involved a literal do-or-die scenario. Death from an opioid overdose is a leading cause of death during the first 90 days of reentry.

There are well-established, proven-effective treatment methods available to help the justice involved reach sustained recovery from a substance use disorder. But far too often, medication for addiction treatment (MAT) as part of an outpatient recovery program is not considered a viable option.

Join us for a virtual open discussion forum on Tuesday, March 19, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST. Attendees will learn how:

• Non-punitive, evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment hold patients accountable, improve their recovery rates, and break the cycle of recidivism.

• Comprehensive MAT programs make patients 75% less likely to overdose than those without treatment.

• These collaborations help the justice-involved while benefiting the justice system and surrounding community.

upcoming community events

NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Are you a parent, grandparent, care giver, or work with children? Join us for a free training to learn about what child abuse entails, how to recognize abuse, how to prevent it, and what to do if you witness signs.

DETAILS

Saturday, April 6, 2024

3:00 PM 6:00 PM

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

483 Great Neck Road South Mashpee, MA

Dinner served at 4 PM with speakers to follow!

CHRIS HERREN HEADLINES THE WELLSTRONG SECOND ANNUAL GALA: AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION AND RECOVERY

WellStrong, a leading 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting wellness and recovery in the Cape Cod community, is thrilled to announce its upcoming gala. On April 25, 2024, at 5:30 PM, the exceptional event 'Celebrate WellStrong: An Evening with Chris Herren' will unfold at the stunning oceanside venue, Dune, Wychmere Beach Club, situated in Harwichport, Massachusetts.

For those who are unable to attend but wish to contribute, donations can be made through their online giving page at www.wellstrong.org/support.

SHARING KINDNESS SUICIDE AWARENESS WALK

Join us on Saturday, May 18th, at Veterans Park Beach in Hyannis!

The Suicide Awareness Walk is a 5k walk in Hyannis, MA. The signature fundraiser for Sharing

Kindness, the walk helps fund suicide prevention, community education and grief support programs for those impacted by suicide on the Cape & Islands.

8:30 AM: Registration + pre-walk activities | 10 AM: Opening ceremony + walk begins!

APRIL 9TH CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION EVENT AT CCCC: DEMYSTIFYING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION PROCESS

Demystifying the Criminal Investigation Process: From Court to Support; Hear case reporting scenarios and each agency’s response.

DETAILS

Tuesday April 9, 2024

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Guest Speaker: Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois

Location: Cape Cod Community College

Frank and Maureen Wilkins Science Building

Room 5, Ground Floor (G05), Parking Lot 9

Refreshments served.

food resources

FOOD ACCESS CAPE COD, SPRING 2024

Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated regularly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.

network of care

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care (NOC) 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.