Volume 274 | July 23, 2020

HUMAN SERVICES
Creating a Healthy Connected Cape Cod

Edition 278 | September 3, 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.
COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Complete your 2020 Census Today!
Barnstable County is lagging in its response to the Census (47.2%, compared to 65.1% responding in Massachusetts). Census responses are vitally important to our future, as our responses directly inform how more than $675 billion in federal funding is spent. This funding is allocated to communities to support public health, education, affordable housing, and more. All residents should complete the 2020 Census regardless of citizenship.  Census information is protected by law.

Click HERE to see live map of self-response rate in Barnstable County by Census tract. The deadline for responding to the Census has been extended through September 30, 2020. Please pass along this information and link below to your networks, urging all to respond to the Census.
There Are 15 Towns on the Cape, But Just One Local Housing Assistance Agency That Serves Them All - One Form, Many Assistance Programs

Housing Assistance has launched a 100% online application for rental and mortgage assistance that enables clients to complete one application form to access multiple financial assistance programs. We have over $1,500,000 available to distribute to qualified, year-round residents including:

  • RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition);
  • ERMA (Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance);
  • Homebuilders of Cape Cod Fund;
  • Town specific funds;
  • And our own Workforce Housing Relief Fund;
Housing Assistance is the regional agency providing access to state and local assistance funds. We have trained intake staff working remotely with clients to determine the programs that are the best fit for that client’s particular situation, and help clients navigate the systems that are already in place. We are asking for your help spreading the word:


Additionally, if your town plans an RFP process for a new rental assistance program, please let us know. We would be happy to apply and help administer it. The Towns of Barnstable and Yarmouth have already selected Housing Assistance to administer their rental assistance program. We can make our public dollars go further by leveraging HAC’s infrastructure and efficiencies. Our agency already has the technology, processes, and expertise in place so that we can take action today!
EDUCATION
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
Senior Corps RSVP: 9/11 Day of Service Event

Senior Corps RSVP is holding a Veterans Food Drive in support of the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center in honor of 9/11.  
Community Health Center of Cape Cod Hosting 20th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 14

Bourne – Community Health Center of Cape Cod and the CHC Golf Tournament Committee are looking forward to a bright spot in this unprecedented and challenging time: the 20th Annual Golf Tournament on September 14 at Pocasset Golf Club. The Health Center has remained steadfast to its mission over this difficult time, testing patients for COVID-19, and replacing in-person visits with virtual visits. Unfortunately, telehealth visits are only partially reimbursable and the Health Center has shifted 90% of patient visits to virtual visits. Now more than ever, Community Health Center of Cape Cod can use your support.

The Health Center will be following all recommendations from the Commonwealth about group gatherings and revised social distancing requirements. The Tournament committee has been meeting regularly to incorporate a number of exciting elements to enhance the on-course experience for this year’s event. To learn more about this great event, and to register, please visit www.chcofcapecod.org/golf
Upcoming Training Opportunities
to Strengthen Your Workforce

Be sure to check out these upcoming classes!
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 6-12. Our Theme for This Year is the Very Simple But Important Message: KEEP GOING
Trauma and Interpersonal Violence
This webinar will explore the devastating impact of violence on individuals, families, and relationships. We will learn how to make a trauma informed formulation with the complex symptoms of life after violence. This workshop will cover interventions to use when symptoms are complex, treatment resistant, hard to manage. We will use lecture, case examples, and videos to help participants develop empathic therapeutic skills. We will focus on best practices in trauma treatment, the body stress response, and survival systems. Throughout this we will find hope, meaning, resilience, and humor in the lives of the most courageous survivors. Participants will benefit from activities to promote awareness, self-compassion, and wellness to combat burnout and compassion fatigue.
2020 APDA MA Virtual Cape Cod Optimism Walk on Saturday, September 12th, 2020

Please help us raise funds for our local Parkinson's Support Groups. Click on button below for more information.
The RIDE FOR HOMES is ON!
Sunday, September 13th, 2020
RecoveryRide for RecoveryBuild September 1-30, 2020
Next 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.
NAMI Basics, a free 6-week course for parents and family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral issues
GROUP MEETINGS
Thrive! CIGSYA - LGBTQ+ and Ally Center of Cape Cod
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.
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.
OLDER ADULTS
SHINE Medicare Information
A one minute video about how annual flu vaccinations and Medicare is involved in the effort to limit the spread of the annual flu viruses. 

Also, be sure to see SHINE's recent updates by clicking on button.
EMPLOYMENT
Vacancy Notices

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
ESSENTIAL LINKS
NETWORK OF CARE
211 ASSISTANCE
MY CHOICE MATTERS
HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS-DATA
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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 hand 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.