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Vol 1      November 2015       |        www.hatfmv.org
In This Issue
FirstStop MV Debuts on December 7th

FirstStop MV:
Connecting People and Community Resources will be open for business on  Monday, December 7th.

Originating as an idea sparked by the 2013 UMass Medical School Rural Scholars study, and developed over the past two years by dedicated and diligent community leaders and volunteers, FirstStop MV will make its public premiere at the upcoming Community Meeting in December. This is just one of Healthy Aging Task Force's island-wide, community-driven initiatives to help the growing elderly population on Martha's Vineyard.

FirstStop MV is designed to be a single entry point to the many diverse services serving Island seniors. As a centralized first point of contact for Island seniors, their families and caregivers, and service providers, FirstStop MV aims to support the health and wellness of our community by connecting people to information and critical resources.

FirstStop MV staff and volunteers have been identifying and reaching out to service providers on and off Island to create a comprehensive listing of services and resources. Programs serving Island seniors are invited to complete the online provider that can be found at www.FirstStopMV.org.

There will also be an opportunity to test drive the FirstStop MV website at Healthy Aging MV's Community Meeting, December 7th, what time, at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven. The event is free and open to the general public. For more information, please contact Karin Kugel, HATF Program Manager at 774-549-0555 or by email at karin@firststopmv.org.
OUR MISSION

Healthy Aging Task Force (HATF) is a subcommittee of the Dukes County Health Council, and was formed in the spring of 2013. HATF was created to strengthen the Health Council's mission to create a supportive community for aging on the Vineyard, and to be responsible for addressing the recommendations of the UMass Rural Scholars. 

HATF is a community coalition of 70+ people representing 36 non-profit and municipal organizations serving the needs of elders on  Martha's Vineyard.

The goal of the HATF  is  to identify the needs of our rapidly growing  elder population and develop  collaborative programs to meet them.

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Thomas Hallahan

LOCAL PROFESSIONAL CHOSEN TO LEAD PROGRAM FOR ELDERLY

The Healthy Aging Task Force is pleased to announce the selection  of Dr. Thomas Hallahan as the new Executive Coordinator of the Healthy Aging Task Force (HATF).    Chairperson Paddy Moore said of Tom's selection that  "Tom's solid career in policy, education and social service programs will advance the mission of the HATF so that our increasing elderly population will have the care and services they need in the future."  

Tom is a former tenured professor, at Salem State University, teaching courses in communication sciences & disorders, inclusive education, education policy, and social justice. Previous to this, he directed the aural rehabilitation program at Boston University. Additionally, throughout his career, Tom has maintained long-term consultancies with the Department of Public Health and the Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) for the Commonwealth, responsible for program development and budget management of these two statewide hearing health care programs. Most recently, he was an adjunct faculty member of Harvard Medical School's MGH Institute of Health Professions. Currently, Tom serves as program coordinator for Cape Cod Community College's efforts on Martha's Vineyard, overseeing all aspects of this satellite campus on the island.
 
In his community, Tom, serves on the advisory board for the MV Film Society and MV Health Education Collaborative.  He has served as a Dukes County Commissioner and as a committee member for MV Community Services, the Vineyard Playhouse, YMCA, Oak Bluffs Advisory Committee and Vineyard Youth Tennis.
 
Tom received his B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from SUNY Geneseo, his M.A. in Audiology from The Ohio State University, his M.Ed. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University, and his Sc.D. in Audiology from Boston University. He is a recipient of a number of state and national awards, including a CASE Fellowship from Harvard University in 2005 and a Fulbright Scholar Award to the University of Jordan in 2012.
 
"I am inspired by the incredible work of the HATF Executive Committee members and many volunteers, past and present, who have laid the foundation for the work that is ahead of me"  said Dr. Hallahan.  
 
If you would like to become involved, are in search of services or have questions about Healthy Aging Task Force Martha's Vineyard, please contact Tom at 508-360-0891.

HAVE YOU RETURNED
YOUR SURVEY?  

If you are 65 or older you should have, or are about to, receive an important survey in the mail from Healthy Aging Task Force 
(HATF).   HATF is conducting the survey to help our community make important decisions about the Island's future. 

Our 65+ population is expected to more than double in the next fifteen years, and we must be prepared.   Please take this opportunity to voice your needs and opinions and make the Vineyard a better place to age. If your friends, neighbors or parents are over 65, make sure they complete the Healthy Aging Task Force Survey so they can be heard too.

If you don't receive a survey and are 65 or older, it is important that your voice be heard.  You can fill out the survey online by clicking here: 
Healthy Aging Task Force Survey.   Please mail your survey by Friday, November 13th or complete online by Monday, November 23rd.




HEALTHY AGING TASK  FORCE MV 
IN THE NEWS...
October 21, 2015   Vineyard Gazette

July 1, 2015           MV Times

April 13, 2015       Vineyard Gazette
Healthy Aging Task Force Works on Expanding Services for Seniors

October 30, 2013  
Healthy Aging Presentation - YOUTUBE VIDEO

Healthy Aging Task Force Martha's Vineyard         

Post Office Box 190     Edgartown, MA 02539