spotlight

OPIOID RECOVERY & REMEDIATION FUNDS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MODEL PRACTICE

Barnstable County Department of Human Services is excited to share the Opioid Recovery & Remediation Funds Community Engagement Model Process! This report was created to capture and share a pilot process of authentic community engagement in the decision-making process about Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund settlement spending, and describes efforts undertaken in collaboration by the Town of Falmouth, the Falmouth Commission on Substance Use, consultant & facilitator Sky Freyss-Cole and Barnstable County Department of Human Services (BCDHS).

For more information about the contents of this document, please contact Mandi Speakman, Deputy Director of Barnstable County Department of Human Services, at mandi.speakman@capecod.gov | (508) 470-4936.

CARE MASS COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCE HUB

The Communications Resource Hub is a new toolkit available to assist you in speaking with your community, elected officials, community partners, and others about the opioid abatement funding and your work. In it you will find:

• Social media content for municipalities and community partners to share
• A quick-guide handout that explains the opioid abatement funding
• Talking points related to opioid abatement funding
• Links to additional communications-related campaigns and resources

harm reduction

SAFE SPOT VIRTUAL SPOTTING SERVICE

SafeSpot was originally started as the Never Use Alone Massachusetts line in April 2020. We were staffed entirely by volunteer administrators and operators for the first two and a half years.

In October 2022, the RIZE-MA Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center to build capacity of the hotline under Stephen Murray and Dr. Alex Walley’s leadership. This funding enabled us to be the first overdose hotline in the United States to offer fully paid training to our volunteer operators, and supported the salaries of our executive director and a program coordinator.

In August 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (MDPH BSAS), awarded the hotline with a $350,000 emergency contract to continue our work. We proudly hired our first full time frontline operator and a call center coordinator in October 2023. In April 2024, our entire volunteer team was onboarded as per-diem operators and now are paid for every call they take, as well as training and supervision. SafeSpot is an emerging leader in best practices for operating a harm reduction friendly workplace.

prevention

SUBSTANCE USE: COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS INVOLVING COALITIONS OR PARTNERSHIPS TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE USE AMONG YOUTH

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) works to improve the health of communities by issuing evidence-based recommendations and findings on public health interventions designed to improve health and safety.

CPSTF provides recommendations and findings on programs, services, and other interventions to protect and improve population health. These recommendations and findings are based on systematic reviews of evidence of effectiveness and economic impact. These findings make up The Community Guide.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends community interventions involving coalitions or partnerships to prevent substance use among youth. Most studies were conducted in rural or suburban communities. Evidence from the systematic review shows interventions reduce both initiation and use of the following:

• Cannabis
• Tobacco
• Alcohol, including binge drinking
• Illegal substances
• Antisocial behaviors among youth.

Read the full CPSTF Finding and Rationale Statement for details including implementation issues, possible added benefits, potential harms, and evidence gaps.

FREE FAMILY MOVEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

B Free Wellness heals personal and community trauma through the empowering integration of mental health, physical wellness, and holistic services.

Our studio classes are designed for all bodies. We are a body positive movement space and respect you as you are. Classes are designed for all bodies and attract many members who are able to pay full price for classes and services or even pay an additional stipend to support others. Low-income individuals can participate in the same programs for a reduced or completely waived fee. This unique approach creates a diverse community of belonging and mutual support that is essential to long-term mental health and resilience. 

The following FREE two-week series is coming up:

Spiritual Fitness and Hope for the New Year (Virtual/Zoom)

Thursday, November 21, 7:00 PM

Registration Required

Spiritual Fitness Joy (Virtual/Zoom)

Thursday, December 19, 7:00 PM

Registration Required

To register, please call: (508) 815-5100.

recovery

THANKSGIVING ALKATHON

Dennis Pass It On Presents Thanksgiving Alkathon, sponsored by District 1 &2. Thanksgiving dinner will be served 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Dessert donations and volunteers are welcomed!

Meeting Schedule: 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM

Location: West Dennis Community Church, 288 Main Street, West Dennis

Questions? Please contact Eddie G. at (720) 670-8844.

MOCKTAIL MIXER WITH BFREE WELLNESS

The holiday season can bring temptations and pressures around alcohol, but you don’t have to face it alone. B Free Wellness is launching a Holiday Sober Support Group on December 12 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM to provide a safe, supportive space for anyone who is sober-curious, maintaining sobriety, or supporting a loved one who is. The group includes a private chat, available right away, to share resources, tips, and peer support through the season. In January, we’ll meet weekly to support Dry January.

Kick off the season with our Mocktail Mixer, featuring alcohol-free drinks, healthy snacks, and gift bags that promote well-being and recovery!

Questions? Please contact us at lindsay@bfreewell.org.

treatment

PREPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN TREATMENT OR RECOVERY

The holidays can be difficult for many people, but those who are newly sober face even greater challenges.

The holiday season may be a perfect storm of negative emotions and triggering events for people in recovery. Because of this, it’s important to know what to do to avoid triggers, cope with emotions and prevent risks of relapse. The following will provide some tips for maintaining recovery over the holidays, whether you’re in active treatment or long-term recovery.

PREPARING FOR A SOBER HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration. However, for individuals in recovery from addiction, this festive period can also bring about unique challenges. The temptations, social pressures, and emotional triggers that often accompany holiday gatherings can pose a threat to your sobriety. In this article, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to not only survive but thrive during the holidays as a recovering addict.

upcoming community events

BARNSTABLE YOUTH COMMISSION 11TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FORUM

Tuesday, December 3, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Barnstable Adult Community Center, 825 Falmouth Road, Hyannis

Presentations will begin at 6:00 PM

Resource Tables and “Hidden in Plain Sight” Trailer Tours will be available 1/2 hour before and after presentations

Speakers:

Barnstable Police: Mock Teen Bedroom will be available for tours. Learn where students often hide illegal substances in their room.

Kevin Rosario, ACES Addictions Consulting: Kevin speaks every year at our 7th Grade Youth Summit telling his story of addiction. He will teach parents on how to effectively communicate with their child(ren).

Barnstable Police School Resource Officer David Downs: Will discuss how tobacco vape companies are marketing to your children.

Barnstable Police School Resource Officer Dennis Stampfl: Shows you what is currently being found amongst our youth who are using drugs and alcohol. New products are constantly coming out and parents need to be informed on what to look for. Q&A. 

WELLNESS TRAINING PROGRAMS AT CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition has partnered with 4Cs offering our communities Wellness training programs that provide information and tools to raise awareness, educate, and increase action to reduce suicides. 

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Date: Oct. 10, 2024, from 9 AM – 10 AM Location: Virtual via Zoom

Mental Health First Aid A skills-based training course that helps people identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use issues. This is an 8 hour in person class. Date: November 5, 2024, from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Location: Nantucket Public Safety, 4 Fairgrounds Rd, Nantucket, MA

Mental Health First Aid (Youth) Teaches adults how to help youth facing mental health or addiction challenges and an action plan for support. Topics include anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, self-care and impact of social media and bullying. This is a 6.5 hour in person class. Date: December 10, 2024, from 9:15 AM – 4:15 PM Location: 4C’s Campus: Wilkins Library, Board Room. 

safeTalk A training in suicide alertness skills to help people ask about suicide directly, connect others to life-saving resources and keep them safe until those resources take over. This is a 4 hour in person class. Date: December 11, 2024, from 10 AM – 2:30 PM Location: 4C’s Campus 

Questions? Contact Val Duffy (508) 375-5018 or vduffy@capecod.edu.

funding opportunities

SMALL GRANT OPPORTUNITY: FALMOUTH COMMISSION ON SUBSTANCE USE

The Town of Falmouth Commission on Substance Use (FCSU) is pleased to announce the availability of Opioid Abatement funds to support local initiatives that aim to make a positive impact on the community.

Falmouth based projects will be considered for grants awards up to $1,000. Projects must serve residents of Falmouth and deliver services in the areas of substance use prevention/education, harm reduction, treatment services, or recovery supports. Rolling applications for these small grants will be reviewed at monthly FCSU meetings.

Applicants may be required to attend a FCSU meeting to discuss their proposal before or after an award is given. Notifications will be made by the next monthly FCSU meeting.

TOWN OF BARNSTABLE 2024/2025 OPIOID ABATEMENT FUNDING APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Town of Barnstable is requesting applications for Opioid Abatement funding from public or private, state and federally recognized nonprofit organizations, agencies, partnerships, or other interested parties to provide services, programs, or initiatives that will mitigate the impacts of the Opioid epidemic.

Please mail or drop off completed applications to:

Town of Barnstable

Town Manager’s Office

367 Main Street, 2nd floor

Hyannis, MA 02601

Completed applications may also be emailed (please put Opioid Abatement Funding Application in subject line) to: email@town.barnstable.ma.us.

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

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