spotlights

APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse. It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.

harm reduction

COMMUNITY CARE IN REACH: MOBILE ADDICTION SERVICES CONFERENCE 2025

Access ASGCC’s sexual health and harm reduction services Join RIZE and the Kraft Center for Community Health at Mass General Brigham for the Community Care in Reach® 2nd Mobilizing Addiction Services on April 11th.

Together, we’ll explore innovative strategies and best practices for mobilizing clinical care and harm reduction services. Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, network with passionate professionals, and earn CME credits.

recovery

SUPPORTING YOUR LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN ADDRESSING TOBACCO USE: THE ROLE OF FAMILIES AND FAMILY PEERS

During this webinar training, we will describe why it is important to address tobacco use, learn facts about tobacco use and treatment, explore the unique needs of people with mental health or substance use disorders who smoke, dispel common myths related to addressing tobacco use, discuss resources available to support people on their quit journey, and engage in a powerful dialogue around the role that family members and family peers have in addressing tobacco use.

treatment

BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION REINTRODUCED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT

On February 26, Representatives Donald Norcross and Brian Fitzpatrick reintroduced the Telehealth Response for E-Prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act, a bill designed to support the expansion of telehealth services for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The bipartisan legislation strives to increase overall access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) with a particular focus on supporting telehealth in rural communities. Specifically, the TREATS Act would “…allow physicians to prescribe MAT and other necessary drugs during telehealth visits without needing a prior in-person visit, as well as bill Medicare for audio-only telehealth services.” 

upcoming community events

SHARING KINDNESS SUICIDE AWARENESS WALK

The signature fundraiser for Sharing Kindness, the Suicide Awareness Walk is an annual three-mile walk in May that brings together community members to remember those who have died by suicide, support survivors of suicide loss, and raise awareness of the stigmatized issues of brain health and suicide. It is an annual day of healing, telling our stories and forming connections with others through shared experiences. Our primary goal has been to raise awareness of suicide. Why? Because the stigma that still surrounds suicide, grief and mental illness prevents many from getting the help they need, and we can only begin to reduce stigma through education and understanding. The walk raises funds for our nonprofit, allowing us to continue serving those affected by suicide and grief, providing programming on these tough subjects in our communities.

This walk truly is a remarkable event. All funds raised will support Sharing Kindness’ programs dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention, including peer grief support for those impacted by suicide. Please consider participating by creating a team a walkers passionate about mental health. Or, you may be interested in other ways to support this non-profit, such as becoming an event sponsor. There are several options available offering great benefits, which you can learn about here.

LA BELLA VITA BENEFIT DINNER FOR THE PAUSE

The Pause is a Community Center for Recovery which supports both alcoholics and addicts as well as family members and loved ones of those suffering from substance misuse. We facilitate this by providing a dedicated space for 12-step meetings and year-round sober social activities. Please join us to celebrate Spring and the 2nd anniversary in our new home!

Details

When: Monday, April 21, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: La Bella Vita Kitchen and Bar

Price: $80 Per Person

RSVP is Required!

Come celebrate with a fabulous dinner, live auction, and inspirational speaker!

funding opportunities

TOWN OF FALMOUTH OPENS 2025 OPIOID GRANT APPLICATIONS TO DELIVER SUBSTANCE USE RELATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The Town of Falmouth opened their 2025 Opioid Grants on April 1st. This will be the second year that Falmouth invites local nonprofit agencies, or partnerships, and other interested parties to apply for the Town’s opioid settlement funds to deliver programs and services that mitigate the impact of the Opioid Crisis.

Organizations and collaborative partnerships selected for funding will enter into a contract with the Town of Falmouth to deliver the programs and services outlined in their application. The contractual start date is expected to be September 1, 2025.

Applications are due on Friday, May 30th, 2025, by 4:00 PM in the Human Services Office: 744 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540 or, via email at opioidabatement@falmouthma.gov.

Questions? Contact Suzie Hauptmann, LICSW at (508) 548-0533 x7671 | suzie.hauptmann@falmouthma.gov

A Zoom Drop-in hour will be offered to answer Applicant questions on Wednesday, April 9th and 16th at 10:00am.

TOWN OF MASHPEE: OPIOID ABATEMENT FUNDING APPLICATION

On July 21, 2021 Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a $26 billion settlement agreement with opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson, which will provide more than $500 million to the Commonwealth and its cities and towns for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery across Massachusetts. This settlement holds accountable several corporations that contributed to the overprescription of opioids in Massachusetts and brings needed relief to people struggling with substance use disorder. The settlement agreement includes pharmaceutical distributers Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen as well as Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids. The settlement also requires significant industry changes that are designed to prevent this from happening again. The AG’s Office supports the settlement and has been laying the groundwork for its implementation in Massachusetts.” 

Data Reporting Requirements 

Two reports will be due: the mid-year report will be due on December 1, 2025.  The year end report will be due on May 1, 2026. 

The mid-year report

This summary should include: Details of the projects or services provided to date as it relates to your original Application for Funding; the number of Mashpee residents served and the ages of those served and the continuing plans to sustain the programs or services. 

A year-end report

This should include the services provided throughout the year, the number of Mashpee residents served and a complete budget narrative of the monies expended.  

Note: Please make sure your agency name is on each page submitted.  

employment opportunity

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION OPEN AT THE FAMILY PANTRY OF CAPE COD

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod is seeking a new Executive Director. Based in Harwich, MA, The Family Pantry is the largest Pantry on Cape Cod and has provided food and clothing to ALL in need since 1989. Operating with a paid staff and over 650 dedicated volunteers, the Family Pantry serves over 3200 households per month and is the regional distribution center for The Greater Boston Food Bank.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Pantry and thrift store staff, volunteers, programs, annual objectives, and execution of its mission and goals.

food resources

FOOD ACCESS CAPE COD

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.