Edition 310 | December 2, 2021
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.
SPOTLIGHT
Useful Tips and Fuel Assistance Information for Those 
Faced with High Housing and Fuel Costs

2021 is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s 40th anniversary! 40 years ago, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 was signed into law on August 13, 1981, authorizing and establishing the Home Energy Assistance Program we offer today.

For forty years, this national program has helped low-income families pay their home heating and cooling bills. This program is at the core of Health and Human Services’ mission—enhancing the health and well-being of all those in need. An estimated 5.3 Million households across the United States received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP. 
COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Terrapin Ridge, a Barnstable County HOME Consortium’s Grant Funded Affordable Housing Development, Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Terrapin Ridge is a newly constructed affordable rental housing project located off of Quaker Meeting Housing Road in Sandwich, MA. Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) acquired the Terrapin Ridge just prior to completion, organized the lease-up effort, and now manages the project. The project consists of thirty units housed in eight buildings located on 6 acres of land previously owned by the Sandwich Housing Authority. All units are restricted affordable units with sixteen units affordable to families earning below 60% Area Median Income (AMI) and fourteen units affordable to families earning below 30% AMI. Terrapin Ridge was awarded $250,000 from the Barnstable County HOME Consortium. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 18, 2021. Barnstable County is proud to collaborate with our state and local municipal partners in providing funding to help develop much needed affordable rental housing in our Cape communities. Link to POAH Article HERE.
FREE tickets to Cape Symphony’s Holiday on the Cape Concert for Veterans and their Families for December 3rd, 2021 @ 8pm! 

Year after year, Cape Symphony gathers to share joyous music and moments that put us all in a holiday mood and veterans you’re invited for free this Friday night, December 3rd!

Up to 4 FREE tickets for Cape Symphony’s Holiday on the Cape this Friday at 8pm. Email the Cape Symphony Box Office to redeem this special one-time offer!

Please Include: Code: VETS4FREE | # of Tickets | Name | Email
CHNA27 Meeting: A Gift of Self-Kindness on December 9, 2021, 9-10:30am

See flyer below for more information.

Housing to Protect Cape Cod

In order to address the Cape's housing crisis and provide the housing diversity and affordability our region needs, it is imperative that more of us get involved at the local level.
 
In her latest editorial, HAC's CEO Alisa Magnotta writes about how we can work together toward housing solutions for families, our workforce, young professionals, and seniors on Cape Cod while announcing the launch of their new website below. 
HCS-MA Social Work & Responding to the Overdose Crisis Learning Collaborative Series on December 8th and 9th, 2021

You are invited to join the HEALing Communities Study for our Social Work & Responding to the Overdose Crisis Learning Collaborative Series on December 8th and December 9th 2021.
 
This event is open to all social workers (macro, clinical, students, etc.) and anyone interested in learning more about the overdose crisis and harm reduction. Please see the flyer attached for more details, and please share among your networks!

Please note – CEU accreditation (for licensed social workers) for these sessions are pending, but we will be in touch with anyone who expresses interest – see registration form for more details.
First of Its Kind Online Resource for LGBTQ Youth & Families Launches During Holiday Season 

The Holiday Season is often an especially difficult time for LGBTQ Youth. This online resource is offered to help decrease isolation, family rejection & mental health risks & increase well-being.
RecoveryBuild APG expands to Falmouth Recreation Center

RecoveryBuild APG is a 6-month program with two main goals: (1) to build competencies around recovery skills and relapse prevention, and (2) to help participants learn and maintain healthy skills while engaging in “substance free activities.” Please see website for more informaiton.

If you are concerned about a teen’s substance use, please do not hesitate to call or text 774-487-5227 to reach the APG Program Supervisor, Jeremy Wurzburg.
OLDER ADULTS
Can I Change My Medicare Plan After Open Enrollment?

Even though Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment ends on 12/7/2021 (that’s the period in which you can change your Medicare Part D Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan –Part C) you may still have some options.
EVENTS / TRAININGS
Holiday Program for Falmouth & Mashpee Families

Falmouth Service Center's Holiday Program for Falmouth & Mashpee Families. Preregistration is required by December 7th. Please call the Falmouth Service Center at 508-548-2794

Toy distribution will take place on December 19th from 8:30-11am 
EMPLOYMENT
Director of Property Management

The Community Development Partnership (CDP) seeks a Director of Property Management to support the expansion of our management of affordable rental homes on the Lower Cape.

The Community Development Partnership leads the Lower Cape in building a diverse year-round community of people who can afford to live, work and thrive here. To accomplish our mission, we promote, develop and manage affordable housing; nurture the launch and growth of small businesses; and facilitate collaboration with business, non-profit and government partners. 
COVID-19 NOTICES / RESOURCES
Food Access Cape Cod

The Barnstable County Cooperative Extension has compiled information on programs and sites in Barnstable County where prepared meals and pre-bagged groceries and supplies are available for pick-up.

Please see flyer below for listing of meal distribution sites on the Cape.
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.
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