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HUMAN SERVICES
Creating a Healthy Connected Cape Cod
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Edition 276 | August 6, 2020
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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.
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There Are 15 Towns on the Cape, But Just One Local Housing Assistance Agency That Serves Them All - One Form, Many Assistance Programs |
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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!
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COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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ATTENTION PLEASE -
Census and Seasonality - Playing a Significant Role in Response Rates
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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 October 31, 2020. Please pass along this information and link below to your networks, urging all to respond to the Census.
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Outer Cape Health Services Announces Reopening of Optometry at Provincetown Health Center |
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Apply Today for the Orleans Big Fix-A-Thon! |
Apply today! If you're a veteran, senior or an individual living with a disability and you own a home in Orleans, you could be eligible for free exterior home repairs as part of Housing Assistance's Big Fix-A-Thon on Saturday, October 3. Applications are due Friday, August 7 and can be found at www.haconcapecod.org/events/the-big-fix-a-thon/ or can be picked up at Orleans Town Hall, Snow Library, the Orleans Senior Center, the Homeless Prevention Council, or Housing Assistance Corporation's office in Hyannis.
To comply with state and local advisories in response to COVID-19, this year's event will limit the number of volunteers at each home and the repairs will be primarily exterior projects with very few exceptions.
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Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority (BCRHA) is Sharing Invitation |
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority's (BCRHA) is very excited to announce the start of a conflict resolution book club! There are so many must-read dispute resolution books, and what better opportunity than to discuss them with your fellow mediators?
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Book choices will be picked through an online voting method.
- An online group will be created to provide individuals with meeting dates, book options, and an opportunity to post questions/comments about the book.
- A Zoom meeting will be held (at least initially) the last Friday of the month where individuals will conduct their formal book club discussion.
- Timing will be determined by the number of members and depth of the discussion.
- Meeting dates are subject to change due to the availability of club members.
- The bi-monthly book club is anticipated to start in August.
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Duffy News
Duffy team members are passionate about the work we do at Duffy Health Center. If there has ever been a time when our team's passion for those in our care has been on display, it has been over the course of the past 4 months. Read on to the statistics in the infographic to learn more about what we've accomplished since March.
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Update from Tracey Benson, SHINE Regional Program Manager |
The SHINE Program continues to take calls and schedule telephonic appointments which enable us to provide services and supports to our Medicare beneficiaries in the most efficient and safest manner possible. As we all know, COVID-19 has been particularly devastating to older adults and their care providers and it is important that we continue to ensure the safety and well-being of those we serve through the SHINE Program.
Since early March, the SHINE Program pivoted from providing face-to-face in-person counseling sessions to providing counseling remotely through phone and email. We strive to consistently provide quality one-to-one, personalized counseling through these new avenues while assuring that privacy and confidentiality is maintained. This change is state wide and will be in effect until further notice.
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Adult & Continuing Education at Upper Cape Technical School |
Thinking about a career in healthcare or the trades? Explore all our courses and programs at
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The Center for Corporate and Professional Education Offerings |
CCAPE offers a variety of learning opportunities focused on enhancing the educational experiences of the community. Our programs assist in the preparation of industry specific certifications and offer opportunities to engage in life-long learning. |
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Workshop: How to Navigate Your Mortgage During COVID-19
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Join us for this free, one hour workshop which will cover common questions concerning mortgages during these uncertain times. Topics will include:
• Payment Assistance Options • Forbearance or deferment • Restructuring a mortgage
• Pros and cons of refinancing • How your mortgage affects your credit • What to do if you are already late on your mortgage • Time for Q&A
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GROW Program Info Sessions
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WE CAN’s GROW (Get Results with Others’ Wisdom) program will be offered again this fall! This program for women business owners offers facilitated peer mentoring, accountability and a safe and confidential setting to work on adapting, stabilizing and/or growing your business in this new economy. The GROW program is facilitated by experienced business owners.
Register for one of these info sessions to learn more:
Thursday, Aug 13th at 9:00 am
Tuesday, Aug 25th at 6:30 pm
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HIPAA & Telehealth - August 19, 2020
2:00-4:00PM - Presented by the Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services Children's Behavioral Health Work Group
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WHAT: An interactive webinar to increase understanding of the Health Insurance and Portability Act (HIPAA), identify best practices to increase care coordination and protect client privacy using Telehealth platforms.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 2 - 4 p.m.
PRESENTER: Iliana Peters, Esq.
For over a decade, Ms. Peters has developed health information privacy and security policy for the Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Peters has enforced HIPAA regulations through settlement agreements and civil penalties. Ms. Peters has also focused on training individuals in the private and public sectors, including compliance investigators, auditors, and State Attorneys General on HIPAA regulations, policy, data privacy and security practices.
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August Parent Education & Support Opportunities Newsletter- Cape Cod Family Resource Center |
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The RIDE FOR HOMES is ON!
Sunday, September 13th, 2020
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NAMI Basics, a free 6-week course for parents and family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral issues |
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Thrive! CIGSYA - LGBTQ and Ally Center of Cape Cod Continue Digital Meetings |
Join us for community and connection! Email kgarcia@wethrive.us for our Wednesday event digital meeting link and connect with us on FACEBOOK and Instagram (@CIGSYA).
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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 aburke@fenwayhealth.org
for more information and Zoom link.
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MA Food Assistance Decision Tree |
For the past several months, our EOEA nutrition program team has been participating in the cross-agency Food Security Task Force, which was convened by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center in response to increased demands for food assistance across the Commonwealth. The task force is comprised of a broad group of public and private members charged with ensuring food insecurity and food supply needs are addressed during the COVID-19 public health emergency.Through the work of the task force, a Food Assistance Decision Tree was recently launched to help residents in need determine which programs they might be eligible for. The Food Assistance Decision Tree tool can be accessed at mass.gov/findfoodhelp
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Social Security Administration - We Are Still Available to Help by Phone |
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Managing Dementia Care in the Time of COVID-19 with Teepa Snow
Saturday, August 29, 2020
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
FREE Video Conference via Zoom
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Elder Services to Distribute Farmer's Market Coupons for Low Income Individuals |
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Vacancy - Clinical Director Position
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COVID-19 NOTICES / RESOURCES |
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If you are a child care or early education provider working to reopen, there are resources available to help you through this process:
Free PPE supplies
Free PPE, including masks, gloves, and sanitizer, are available to area providers courtesy of the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care. Child care providers who have reopened can pick up supplies from the Child Care Network Office in Hyannis or from Cape Cod Children’s Place in Eastham.
For Hyannis pick-ups: email bethg@cacci.cc call (508)778-9470, or stop by the Child Care Network Office (372 North Street, Hyannis) from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM to pick up supplies while they are available.
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Reopening Information for the Childcare Sector |
One-to-One Technical Assistance
Denise Graham-Reardon of the YMCA Cape Cod (a State emergency childcare provider during the pandemic) has offered her time and expertise to provide support and share best practices for providers navigating the reopening process. Contact Denise at dgraham-reardon@ymcacapecod.org.
Current State Guidance on Early Education and Child Care Reopening
For the latest guidance on reopening for early education and child care providers, please refer to the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care:
Massachusetts Child and Youth Serving Programs Reopen Approach
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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. |
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Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment: COVID-19 Updates |
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Food Access & Resources During
COVID-19
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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 barbaradominic612@gmail.com 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.
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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.
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HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES |
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HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS-DATA |
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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER |
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NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS / GUIDELINES |
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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.
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- 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.
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