Volume 274 | July 23, 2020
RSAC
REGIONAL SUBSTANCE USE COUNCIL

Edition 103 | June 10, 2021
Welcome to the Barnstable County Regional Substance Use Council (RSAC)
E-Newsletter. This monthly newsletter is designed to provide information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment,
and recovery. For additional information visit the Department website at www.bchumanservices.net
SPOTLIGHT
Barnstable County is pleased to announce that Vaira Harik, Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services, was selected as a 2021 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
RSAC Meetings Will Continue to be Remote until Further Notice

Remainder of 2021 Meeting Dates:

  • 7-1-21

  • 9-2-21

  • 11-4-21
Please join us for the third Free Virtual Community Forum presented by The Cape Cod Foundation! Thursday, June 17, 9:30-10:30am - Open to All


"Mental and Behavioral Health Across Cape Cod"

We've designed this series to share information with all community members, especially our donors, partners, and other supporters. Please join us as we talk with local experts about the current needs, resources, and opportunities for community engagement on a variety of issues across Cape Cod.
 
The arrival of a vaccine and lower COVID-19 rates have given us renewed optimism. However, the pandemic has exacerbated the mental and behavioral health needs of Cape Cod residents, and its impact will be long-lasting. For many, social isolation, feelings of uncertainty, emotional and physical loss, and the inability to access care have increased over the past year. In addition, unemployment, loss of housing, and food insecurity have added to the psychological burden of residents across every age and demographic, especially our most vulnerable. 
 
We have asked leaders from nonprofit organizations serving very different segments of the community to join us so participants can gain a broad perspective of the mental and behavioral challenges on Cape Cod, but also leave with specific opportunities for engagement.

PRESENTERS
  • Kristin O'Malley, President and CEO, The Cape Cod Foundation
  • Allie Anderson, Chief Clinical Officer, Gosnold, Inc.
  • Karen Gardner, CEO, Community Health Center of Cape Cod
  • Cindy Horgan, Executive Director, Cape Cod Children's Place

Can't Attend? FORUMS WILL BE RECORDED
If you can't attend, please register online, and we will email you a link to a recording of the Forum after the event. 
4th Annual Yogis Unite for RecoveryBuild - Harwich Community Center, June 27, 11-12:30

Join us for an outdoor yoga class taught by Yogis Unite for RecoveryBuild creators Stephanie Briody & Jill Abraham, and guest teachers Leigh Alberti, Talia Arone, Pat Clancy, Jennifer Plusch, Ayanna Parrent, Jessica Riley-Norton. (COVID guidelines will be followed)  
Professional Development Series for Health and Human Services Staff

Cape Cod Community College’s (4Cs) Center for Corporate and Professional Education has collaborated with Outer Cape Health Services to help address the need for local, affordable, and accessible professional development for those in health and human services. This year-long program provides meaningful and practical training opportunities on a wide range of topics that are designed to help providers offer the best care possible and to grow in their professions.

Sessions will be held virtually on the first Wednesday after noon and third Friday morning of each month. CEUs are pending for each stand-alone course for LMHC, LICSW, LCSW, LSW, and LSWA. Information will be provided for students who would like to apply independently for other types of CEUs.
Recovery Coaching - With a Focus on Health and Wellness

What is Recovery Wellness Coaching? Click on button below for more information.
NATIONAL NEWS
Network of Care Is Qualified Expenditure in
Latest SAMHSA Guidelines

On the eve of our 20th anniversary, the Network of Care is honored to be recognized by SAMHSA as a qualified expenditure in its recent guidelines for the American Rescue Plan’s $1.5 billion Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) appropriation. 

In this four-year grant, SAMHSA explicitly encourages states to use MHBG funding for infrastructure development, as long as the intent of the infrastructure supports or benefits persons with serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbance (SMI-SED). The Network of Care assists persons with SMI-SED in finding treatment, support, awareness, education and other resources necessary for recovery:

Consider digital platforms, such as Network of Care, which facilitate access to behavioral health services for persons with SMI-SED. (Please see page 2, bullet #7).
If you are interested in learning more about how the Network of Care can help your local jurisdiction during these challenging times, please contact Pam Frank at (415) 257-2407 or pam@trilogyir.com
COVID-19
Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force has collected helpful wellness resources for you during COVID-19. Please check back regularly as we add to these resources. 
 
Each month we will highlight tools to help manage this crisis and identify for you web videos, articles, discussions, and resources we have found helpful. These tools apply to those of all ages, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and elders.
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.
GROUP MEETINGS
Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide
Asking for help is the first important step.
Alcohol and other drug problems are treatable disorders. If you want to talk with a knowledgeable Information and Referral Specialist now,
Call 800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065 or view our Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide below.
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.
Thrive! at CIGSYA - LGBTQ and Ally Center of Cape Cod Now Have Monday Events
The LGBTQ + group Thrive is for folks ages 13-22. We recently switched our weekly events to Mondays at 4pm. Join us virtually or for special in person gatherings with proper Covid protocols. Please feel free to join anytime! For details email kgarcia@WeThrive.us and check out our social media platforms:

Facebook  | Instagram@cigsya | Twitter@thriveatcigsya 
HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES
CONTINUUM OF
CARE
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
REGIONAL NETWORK ON
HOMELESSNESS
REGIONAL
SUBSTANCE USE
COUNCIL
SHINE-
SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS
FOR EVERYONE
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT HOMELESSNESS
RESOURCES
SERVICE DIRECTORY
211 ASSISTANCE
MY CHOICE MATTERS
SUBSTANCE USE
RESOURCE GUIDE
EMERGENCY HOTLINES
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSION FOR NEWSLETTER
  • 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.
  • 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.