Greetings!

The County, in collaboration with all six island Towns, is happy to announce that they will be providing space on the second floor at the County-owned property at 29 Breakdown Lane, Vineyard Haven (MV Center for Living) for the newly formed Island Integrated Public Health Collaborative (i2PHC) . This collaborative will be comprised of numerous island agencies and programs in the fields of health and human services and will work to begin a comprehensive needs assessment and strategic plan for the island communities’ health and human service needs.  
Here's the Latest News from our Departments
          
Phone: (508) 696-0020 
Hours of Operation: M – Th 8-5
Friday & Saturdays by appointment.
Free Dental Clinic

Vineyard Smiles Adult Dental Clinics return! Low income adults age 20+ who do not have access to dental care can contact Debbie Simon at (508) 696-5230 or debbiesimon1967@gmail.com  to see if they qualify and make an appointment. Free dental cleanings are provided by licensed professional dental hygienists from Polished LLC. Sponsored by the Boards of Health and the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging.
        March 22:       Aquinnah
        March 22:       Edgartown
        March 29:       Oak Bluffs

Phone: (508) 696-3844                   
Hours of Operation: Monday, Thursday, Friday 9-4
Tuesday-, Wednesday 9-2:30

SNAP Update
Because of February SNAP early issuance, March SNAP benefits were issued in the first few days of March to shorten the time between when clients get benefits. There is full funding available for March SNAP benefits. March SNAP benefits were made available between March 1 – March 4 for most SNAP clients. Eligible clients who do not receive benefits on the modified issuance dates will receive them on their normal cyclical date or upon approval. Starting in April, benefits will be issued on the normal monthly issuance schedule.  

Thanks to VCOH
DCSS is pleased to offer gift cards to Reliable Market for Islanders who are eligible for SNAP benefits thanks to the Vineyard Committee on Hunger (VCOH). VCOH is committed to providing this assistance to people who may need resources in addition to their SNAP benefits.

Farm Neck Foundation Grant
The Farm Neck Foundation is helping to meet the needs of vulnerable low-income Islanders during the lean winter months by contributing $2,500 to Dukes County Social Services for Gift Cards. Please contact our office if you are in need of gifts cards for Stop and Shop (food and personal care products), Tisbury Shell (gas) and Cumberland Farms (phone minutes). For more information on the Farm Neck Foundation visit: https://www.farmneck.net/foundation/grants

Immigration Resource Center
The Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands (CACCI) is offering free, accredited and fully confidential immigration assistance and representation, based on your needs and regardless of your legal status.

When: 1st & 3rd Friday of each month, 9:15AM-3:15PM
Where: Island Wide Youth Collaborative at the M.V.C.S Campus
111 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs

To make an appointment call Pricila at: (508) 693-7900 x410

Phone: (508) 693-6887   

Jo Ann Murphy, The Dukes County Veterans Services Agent, along with Bob Tankard, newly hired by M.V.C.S as their Veterans Outreach Advocate and Tom Bennett, Associate Executive Director for M.V.C.S run a support group for returning war veterans.

All three work together on The Veterans Support Series to bring presentations and panels from experts focusing on topics specially designed to meet the needs of M.V. veterans and their families.

Past topics include: PTSD, TBI, Healthy Eating on a Budget, Acupuncture and more. The next part in the series will be held on March 27 th at 9am at MV Community Services.
TOWN HALL FORUM
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019, 5:30PM
MVRHS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
There will be a Town Hall Forum on March 22 nd by the Housing Bank Campaign and Representative Dylan Fernandes and State senator Julian Cyr will be in attendance to discuss the lack of year-round affordable housing on the Island.
 
Emergency Shelter Programs in High Demand
The Houses of Grace shelter has seen a record number of Islanders sleeping at the facility this winter.  Houses of Grace is in its 4th year of operation. The all-volunteer operation offers shelter, dinner and breakfast to homeless adults. The shelter is sponsored by Island clergy and has housed 12 - 14 adults on average during January and February. 

Similarly, the Warming Center, located in the basement of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall in Oak Bluffs has seen an increase in the numbers of homeless residents frequenting the facility. The Center provides lunch, access to laundry, shower, and gym facilities, recovery coach services and clothing.    
Substance Use Prevention (SUD) Update:

CCAR Recovery Coach Training

Recovery Coach Academy : March 13, 14 th , 15 th & 16 th  9am-4pm
Ethical Considerations: March 22 nd & 23rd 9am-4pm
*Both sessions required

Location: The Hazel Teagan Room at the Vineyard House, 56 Short Hill Rd, Vineyard Haven
 
All sessions are FREE to the participants and co-facilitated by a Portuguese-speaking trainer.
You must attend all sessions in order to receive a training completion certificate.

Please contact Brian Morris at Island Health Care at 508.964-0940 or bmorris@ihimv.org in order to register.

The training is possible by funding from the six island towns and facilitated by Dukes County in collaboration with Island Health Care.
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