CHNA 18: Working together to build healthier communities through community based prevention planning and health promotion.

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NEWSLETTER APRIL 2021
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CHNA 18: AN UPDATE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
CHNA 18 Providing Mental Health Support in Waltham and Beyond

With funding from McLean Hospital, CHNA 18 has recently partnered with several organizations in Waltham to provide mental health support to people of all ages in Waltham and beyond.

Waltham Connections for Healthy Aging/Healthy Waltham: Addressing loneliness and isolation among seniors during the pandemic. 1) The Waltham Senior Civic Academy, helping Waltham seniors to learn about how government and programs work and to improve their skills as advocates. Connecting residents to leaders of government and agencies is intended to also open channels of communication and cooperation. An ultimate goal of the program is to help residents be more active in the community and to create change in policies and programs. 2) Welcome to the Digital Age, a program to provide free Chromebook computers, high-speed internet, and training for low-income Waltham seniors who want to get online. 3) Mind, Body, Spirit, a program to counter social isolation among Waltham seniors and also to help build emotional resiliency. Other supported programs include:

Five-minute video “Bursts” from well-known psychologist and therapist Jon Mattleman, MS, providing families with coping mechanisms for dealing with the isolation and stress from the pandemic.

“You are Not Alone”: Self-guided video modules developed by Ivy Watts of Ivy Watts Speaks for middle school-college age students, focusing on self-care, staying motivated, and dealing with uncertainty. 

Wraparound Waltham: Wraparound Waltham is a multi-agency collaborative led by Waltham Partnership for Youth with the objective of helping immigrant students graduate high school. Through a case management approach, they support families in accessing jobs, housing, food, health and mental health services - needs which have all increased dramatically due to COVID. The objective of Wraparound Waltham is to provide families the support they need so their children can stay focused on school.
APRIL & MAY EVENTS
FROM COMMUNITY FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
Families for Depression Awareness presents Pandemic Parenting: Supporting Teen Mental Health Webinar

Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 7:00 to 8:15 PM ET/ 4:00 to 5:15 PM PT. 

In this FREE webinar, Dr. Archana Basu, discusses how the pandemic is affecting teen, parent, and family mental health. Dr. Basu will provide practical evidence-based ways to manage parental stress and share tips for communicating with and supporting teens and young adults. This program is designed for parents, guardians, family members, youth workers, and any caring adults interested in teen mental health. Register to join us for a live webinar discussion or watch on demand after it airs. 

After the webinar, complete our online evaluation and you'll be entered for a chance to win a free educational book on the topic of teen depression.

If you are new to the topic of teen depression or in need of a refresher, please watch our Understanding Teen Depression as a foundation to this upcoming webinar. 

Can't attend the live webinar? Register today to submit your questions and watch the recorded webinar after it airs.
Please share information about the free webinar!

Display our Webinar Flyer at your organization or distribute virtually
Share our Teen Depression Fact Sheet in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. with families and schools
Virtual JF&CS Memory CafĂ© on Friday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. (Note that this is the second Friday in April.) 

Our guest artist will be musician and dancer Jorge Arce. Jorge presents music, dances, lore, stories and history handed down for over two centuries of Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean culture. Jorge will introduce us to the “plena,” a dance form that can be experienced from your chair or up on your feet. No experience needed!
 
Please RSVP for our April 9th cafĂ© by emailing Beth Soltzberg or leave a voice mail message at 781-693-5628 by April 8th. (Email is preferred if possible.) I will send Zoom/call-in information to those who have RSVP’d.
 
We record the facilitated portion of some virtual JF&CS Memory CafĂ© gatherings so that our guests and others can enjoy them later. We have added the recording from last week’s “Talking Red Sox” cafĂ© gathering with baseball historian and author Bill Nowlin and friends. See the virtual JF&CS Memory CafĂ© video playlist here, and feel free to share it.
Many Massachusetts memory cafĂ©s now offer virtual programs, and we continuously update our directory. To learn about other virtual memory cafĂ©s, please visit the Massachusetts directory here: www.jfcsboston.org/MemoryCafeDirectory. (Look for the blue sidebar listing virtual cafĂ©s, on the right side of the page.) There is also a national virtual cafĂ© directory here: Here
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting - Celebrating 40 Years of Community and Innovation

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 5:30PM
 
Join us for a fireside chat with REACH Executive Director, Laura R. Van Zandt, and the founders of REACH, Robin Braverman and
Paula Screnci-Vacaro, as we kick off our 40th Anniversary celebration.
Upcoming Events:

Asperger’s/Autism 101 for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children (through age 22) ď»żApril 15 -Register Here

Healthy Dating Relationships on the Autism Spectrum: Finding Joy and Staying Safe April 26 - Register Here

Preparing for College - A Panel of Students and Graduates recording available for purchase- Click Here

Conference:
Winter 2021 On-Demand Jody Acford Conference - A Roadmap Through Adulthood, Register Here by April 16
MEDA’s Virtual Conference 202

MEDA (the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association) is excited to announce that *REGISTRATION IS OPEN* for MEDA’s Virtual Conference 2021 – Navigating the Complexities of Eating Disorder Treatment!! May 20 and 21. 2 Days, 10 Informative Sessions, 21 Thought Provoking Speakers AND 15 CE’s. For speakers, schedule and to register head over to https://www.medainc.org/events/virtual-conference-2021/ We hope to see you there!
 
The conference will highlight a variety of treatment methods and focus on the specific needs of various populations struggling with eating disorders. MEDA’s 2021 Conference will provide the latest treatment modality updates for eating disorder diagnostic criteria per the revised edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and how this impacts people across all populations. MEDA'S 2021 Conference is designed for nurses, psychologists, mental health clinicians, social workers, dietitians, other healthcare professionals, students and other professionals who focus on the treatment and care of patients with eating disorders and subclinical eating disorders.
 
We organize the event to offer education to meet the needs of both highly experienced providers and those new to the field wanting to learn more about the treatment of eating disorders.
Needham Community Farm Virtual Gardening Class Starts April 15th!
PROJECTS, PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
LISTEN: The Troubling Trend of Suicide in Young Children. A Conversation with Jon Mattlema‪n‬.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in US elementary school–aged children, and the suicide rate in black school-aged children has increased in recent years. Learn how we can support the mental health of young children. 

Recruiting new volunteers for our Teen Speaker program!

Teen Speakers, between the ages 14 to 24, share their stories of living with depression or bipolar disorder to help teens get the help they need and deserve. Participants are trained in public speaking skills and speak to youth in schools and community organizations around Massachusetts. Visit our Website for more about the program and how to get involved.
Are you concerned about your loved one, but they don't see a problem?

As a caregiver, you may notice the signs of depression before your loved one is willing and able to make any changes. The Stages of Change model can help caregivers understand how to effectively support loved ones at any point along the change process. Find the Stages of Change video series on Families for Depression Awareness' YouTube channel above.
Community Indicator Project

Impact MetroWest is an initiative of the Foundation for MetroWest to bring awareness to and drive action around
the strengths and challenges facing our communities here in the MetroWest
region of Greater Boston.

Credible and independent data is vital to allow the entire community to learn, understand and then act together improve the quality of life for everyone.

Over 50 indicators provide insight into the trends shaping our community over the last decade across several dimensions - the economy, education, civic engagement,
our health, transportation and housing systems, and more.
The data serves as a report card for the region and acts as a spark to drive change.

We are excited to share this data with everyone and look forward to seeing how it helps all of us better understand the quality of life in our region, how it compares with Massachusetts and the nation, and how we can work together to make it even better.
AANE's Winter 2021
Jody Acford Conference

Content Available through April 30, 2021

This essential conference will provide recorded presentations in both Massachusetts and New York editions. Click for Information and Registration
WATCH CDC Compiling COVID-19
Community Resource Guide 
 
WATCH CDC, a local nonprofit focused on community organizing, is doing amazing work compiling a centralized COVID-19 Resource Guide to support the Waltham community during this difficult time.
The guide currently lists resources related to healthcare, food (including FREE LUNCH AND DINNER for all Waltham youth), housing, utilities, income and employment, and is being updated continuously.

You can also find a list of ways to volunteer or donate during this time, and information regarding service closures and interruptions.
We encourage all Waltham community members to visit this site. 

If you are aware of a COVID-19 related resource that is not listed, please share with WATCH CDC at jack@watchcdc.org.
Needham Center at The Heights

(Needham's Aging Services)

Sends out daily highlights with a wide array of resources, zoom/facebook programs for free of charge, and other new and information as we go though the pandemic.
To receive the highlights, email Assistant Director of Programming and Transportation, Aicha Kelley
COVID-19 Scheduling Resource
Line is available by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone in MA on Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm, currently serving residents 75+. Translation available.
Mass 211's information & referral line remains open 24/7 for all other human service needs.
RESOURCES/ARTICLES/JOBS/GRANTS
Healthcare For All Newsletter

(Massachusetts is extending its tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15.)
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COVID-19 RELATED FUNDING AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

NEW: Resources from the State of Massachusetts, now that the state eviction moratorium has ended: Covid-19-eviction diversion initiative overview
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The Foundation for MetroWest, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has created two emergency funds designed for rapid response funding.


For more information on resources, grants and job opportunities, please visit our website.