Greetings!
Welcome to the first Dukes County Health and Human Services Newsletter! We are excited to share updates and information from our programs: Dukes County Social Services, Dukes County Veterans Services, Dukes County Homeless Prevention Services and the Vineyard Health Care Access Program.

We hope you find our newsletter informative and useful! Winter is a busy time for our programs as we strive to meet the needs of Islanders during the off-season and we want to make sure you know about the services we offer to our community. Thanks for taking the time to check out our first newsletter. (Please feel free to opt out below if you would rather not receive our updates).
Here's the Latest News from our Departments
          
Phone: (508) 696-0020 
Hours of Operation: M – Th 8-5
Friday & Saturdays by appointment.

The Access Program’s core service is connecting the Island residents with affordable health insurance and helping them to retain this coverage. We provide health care program and insurance applications, enrollment and retention services; information, referral and advocacy; referrals to medical providers; make doctor’s appointments and help clients address medical debt; and we facilitate access to services like specialty care, dental care, vision care and prescription medication assistance. We facilitate a Senior Assistance Program and are also a liaison agency for other public benefits including Food Stamps (SNAP), emergency cash assistance, and Social Security disability claims.
Vineyard Health Care Access Program and MA Health Connector Staff

Recent and Upcoming News and Events

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Ends January 23!
If you want to purchase insurance or compare plans, call the Massachusetts Health Connector (877) 623-6765 or apply online at mahealthconnector.org. You can also check with us by calling our office at (508) 696-0020.

NOTE: If you have MassHealth or ConnectorCare, Open Enrollment does not apply to you!

Phone: (508) 696-3844                   
Hours of Operation: Monday, Thursday, Friday 9-4
Tuesday-, Wednesday 9-2:30
The Social Services department’s primary functions include, but are not limited to, application assistance for the following programs:

·      SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
·      WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
·      Fuel Assistance
·      Utility Assistance
·      Emergency and non-emergency food programs
·      Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income
·      Department of Transitional Assistance cash assistance

Recent and Upcoming News and Events

New Employees and Hours - Dukes County Social Services welcomes two new employees: Eve Gates, Social Services Caseworker and Kelly Gallant, Program Assistant. Thanks to the six island towns for additional funding, the department has expanded its hours to better serve our clients. Our new hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am-4pm and Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-2:30pm

Fuel Assistance Season - Applications for Fuel Assistance are being accepted for the 2018-2019 season.  This program helps low-income families pay for the cost of their heating bills from November 1st through April 30th. Call the DCSS office to make an appointment to fill out an application.  Click here for more information on eligibility and requirements for this program.

Food Resources - A letter is no longer required to visit the Island Food Pantry . Clients in need of healthy food may visit during the following hours: Monday 2pm-4pm, Wednesday 2pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-12pm. Community Suppers begin in January. Warm meals and company provided, venue rotates between the 6 towns each day of the week. Check MV Times Calendar for most recent schedule.

2019 VITA Program - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to low income individuals and families. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. We are looking for volunteers to help with this program in the DCSS office. No experience necessary. Contact the DCSS office if you are interested.

Phone: (508) 693-6887   

The Director of Veterans Services performs administrative and professional work in planning, organizing and carrying out programs to meet the economic and medical needs of military veterans, dependents and spouses in accordance with State (MGL Chapter 115) and Federal laws and regulations. Duties include providing financial assistance, employment and educational opportunities, funeral assistance, and similar duties under federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Dukes County Administration Building, 9 Airport Rd, Edgartown

Phone: (978) 273-0533 

The Homeless Prevention Coordinator provides a range of homeless prevention services to Island residents. These included centralized intake, a homeless hotline, case management services, client screening, program development, collaboration with outside agencies, creation of a homeless database, administration of an emergency shelter program, grant writing and facilitation of the MV Network on Homeless Prevention monthly meetings. 

Recent and Upcoming News and Events

Harbor Homes of Martha's Vineyard, Inc. recently incorporated as a new nonprofit on the Vineyard. Harbor Homes MV will offer permanent supportive congregate housing for low income adults who are facing homelessness.

The Barn, Bowl and Bistro helped kickoff a fund raising campaign for Harbor Homes by hosting a successful bowling and silent auction event on October 28th. The fundraiser, including some private donations, brought in over $10,000.  Donations to Harbor Homes may be made to the Permanent Endowment, P.O. Box 243, West Tisbury, MA 02575 with a notation in the MEMO line that the funds are for Harbor Homes.

Harbor Homes MV has also submitted regional applications to the Island Community Preservation Committees (CPC). West Tisbury and Chilmark CPCs are recommending funding for Harbor Homes when the issue goes to town meeting.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention Update:
The County is participating in the Substance Use Disorder Prevention Coalition. In FY19, we have collected $50,000 from the six island towns to support the initiatives of this program, such as: recovery coaches, health and wellness, educational curriculum for the island schools and distribution of free Narcan.
Thank you to our Funders
Our Community Partners and Affiliates
Healthy Aging MV