Latest News from our Departments
Cape Cod Community Action Council is doing its needs assessment
Thank you for being part of this community process! 
Obrigada por fazer parte desse processo comunitario! ¡Gracias por ser parte de este proceso comunitario!
COVID TESTS ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH OFFICE
Please test yourself if you have symptoms consistent with COVID, even mild, cold-like symptoms. Remember that a negative antigen test does NOT mean you are not infected. It simply means that your viral load was low when you took the test. And with Flu and RSV going around, it is always important to stay home whenever you have symptoms to avoid spreading the illness.
Another critical time to test is correct before you get together with a group of people to avoid infecting others in case you are asymptomatically infected.
MVCL will be closed Feb. 20, 2023
Regular programs:
Daily: 9 am – 2 pm, Supportive Day Program
Friday: 10 – 11 am, Music & Memory Cafe Open House
Friday: 10 – 11:15 am, Dementia Caregiver Support Group
The Supportive Day Program (SDP)
SDP is a daily activity program for individuals who are at risk if left alone, or may experience memory challenges. You can call to reserve a spot for exercise, arts, music, drama, and special presentations. Transportation is available.
Music and Memory Cafe Open House: Join the Supportive Day free Music and Memory Cafe every Friday from 10 to 11 am with your loved one for live music and singing. Please wear your mask.
The Family Caregiver Support Program 
This program advocates for caregivers, providing memory screenings, family meeting facilitation, ongoing Alzheimer’s and dementia education, and referrals to programs that can support your caregiving efforts. Our services at MVCL provide meaningful tools and tips for a better caregiving experience. We support any caregiver living on Martha’s Vineyard or caring for someone living on Martha’s Vineyard.
Services
Individual sessions with a trained clinician help caregivers navigate resources and manage care for their loved ones and themselves. Services may include:

Caregiver counseling
Dementia coaching (Habilitation Therapy)
Dementia Caregiver Support Group
MVRHS Luncheon: A delightful experience provided by the M.V. Regional High School Culinary Arts department. Great food and live music once a month during the school year.
Reservations required: 508-939-9440
$15 per person
 
Please join us Thursday, March 9th, for Winter Pear Salad, Pan Roasted Chicken, and Butterscotch Pudding in the MVRHS Culinary Arts Dining Room. Music starts at 11; lunch will be served promptly at 11:30.
Dukes County Public Benefits Access Program
  • Fuel Assistance
  • Food Stamps (SNAP) & Other Food Assistance
  • Limited Cash Assistance
  • Social Security Disability

EXTRA COVID SNAP ENDING
The last extra COVID SNAP payment will be on March 2, 2023.  
Since April 2020, these extra payments (at least $95) have been put on EBT cards at the beginning of each month. Starting in April, households will get only one SNAP payment. That amount is the standard monthly benefit allotted to the households.

Clients can provide certain documentation under certain circumstances if a benefit is lower than these numbers. Some of these are; Medical costs over $35 a month for anyone in your SNAP household who is 60 or older or has a disability, an increase in housing costs (rent/mortgage), and child or disabled adult care costs.
There has been an increase in the fraudulent use of clients' DTA benefits. Never give your card number or pin to anyone.
To protect your benefits, DTA strongly encourages you to change your EBT card PIN regularly. You do not need a new card. Learn more: https://Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.

If any DTA client believes they may have fallen victim to a scam, they are encouraged to report it to DTA’s fraud hotline at 1-800-372-8399.
If you or someone you know who would like to apply, please get in touch at (508)696-3844.
The Fuel Assistance Heating Season runs from November 1st until April 30th.
Island Health Care Community Health Workers / Peer Recovery Coaches are available for those who need help with their Substance Use.
Martha's Vineyard Community Services Recovery Coach Program
111 Edgartown Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
508-693-7900 x451

Island Health Care Community Health Center
245 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd, Edgartown, MA 02539
508-964-0940
Thank you to our Funders
Our Community Partners and Affiliates