spotlight

Barnstable High School Civic Action 

Barnstable High School Civic Action classes presented on their final projects at the Cobb Astro Park within Barnstable High School with student speakers as well as congratulatory words from Representative Kip Diggs. Each class selected a pressing issue in their community, with a number of classes selecting substance use, vaping, or youth mental health. The classes conducted research, key stakeholder interviews, and developed an action item to address what they learned. Each class took the topic in a different direction with some developing educational campaigns in the middle school and others hoping to utilize social media as mode of education to their peers. See the photos attached for more information on some of their projects. Barnstable County Human Services is proud to have participated in such an important and impressive program. 

local

Barnstable County Human Services Launches Baseline Assessment on Substance Use

Barnstable County Department of Human Services has partnered with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to conduct a Baseline Assessment on Substance Use, developing a data matrix and brief narrative report that compares the relative mortality, morbidity, and societal cost by substance in Barnstable County. The consultant will also perform a resource analysis, identifying areas of strength as well as gaps in services addressing substance use prevention, harm reduction, recovery, and treatment.

The goal of the document will be to help the Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Council (RSAC), community leaders and decision‐makers understand the magnitude and severity of substance use, by substance, as well as the cost to the County. This information could be used to engage community members, stakeholders and decision‐makers and inform future programming, policy, and funding priorities.  

The final report will be utilized by BCHS and the MassCall3 Core Planning Group to create a five-year action plan identifying high priority areas to address. This Assessment is funded through the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services’ MassCall3 grant.

For more information contact Kate Lena, Substance Use Prevention Program Manager

kate.lena@barnstablecounty.org

Acknowledge International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st at Smuggler’s Beach in Yarmouth

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on the 31st of August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and that is preventable. Come hear guest speaker, Recovery Coach, Charles Eubanks King, speak about his own experience. Please bring a beach chair and a large photo of your lost loved one. They will have community resource tables, personal experience speakers, tributes to our loved ones, a candlelight vigil, and a sunset prayer.

state

The Grayken Center Holds Quarterly Substance Use Disorder Policy Forum Request Input From Community on July 20th

The Grayken Center invites people impacted by substance use and those working in the substance use disorder field to attend this policy forum. At the Wednesday July 20th virtual hearing, the Grayken Center would like to hear from you about the issues, regulatory challenges, and public policies related to SUD and SUD treatment. The group will use this information to determine what to focus their advocacy efforts on. The forum will take place from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. 

BSAS Opioid Treatment Programs RFR: Rolling Submissions Through June 2024

The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) seeks to fund OTPs programs statewide. Priority will be given to OTPs utilizing innovative models and approaches to address the need for access and expansion of medication for opioid use disorder with effective strategies to reduce barriers to the provision of opioid use disorder treatment. BSAS highly encourages federally qualified health centers and community-based hospitals interested in pursuing OTP certification to apply. In response to the recent DEA rule change allowing for mobile OTP, MDPH BSAS will consider funding requests for mobile components for both existing and newly proposed OTP programming as part of allowable start-up costs. Preference for funding these costs will be given to existing brick-and-mortar OTPs that demonstrate the ability to begin offer mobile services within 3-6 months of award.

national

Harm Reduction as a Life and Prevention Strategy

The Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has written an article highlighting the importance of applying a Harm Reduction framework to Prevention strategies. Understanding harm reduction more fully will assist prevention practitioners in incorporating and expanding harm reduction approaches into a comprehensive prevention program. The article includes relevant organizations with more information on Harm Reduction and how to apply it, as well as how to seek out technical assistance on these topics. 

HRSA Funding Opportunity: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program- MOUD Access

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a multi-year HRSA initiative aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in rural communities. This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the RCORP-Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access Program. RCORP-MAT Access will advance RCORP’s overall goal by improving access to and quality of MAT and supportive services in rural communities.

The purpose of this program is to improve health care in rural areas by establishing new MAT access points and increasing the capacity for sustainable MAT service provision in rural areas. This program is intended to support MAT to treat OUD, however HRSA encourages award recipients to also target alcohol use disorder (AUD) with MAT if the need exists.

Over the course of the three-year period of performance, RCORP-MAT Access recipients will implement activities that are aligned with the following overarching program goals: Goal 1: Establish new MAT access points to provide both medications and supportive services to individuals with OUD and/or AUD in rural communities; Goal 2: Enhance the MAT workforce through recruitment, training, and the development of peer mentorship networks; Goal 3: Build community capacity and infrastructure to support more effective and efficient MAT service provision; and, Goal 4: Ensure sustainability of the new MAT access points through improved billing and coding, as well as enrollment of eligible individuals into health insurance.

To apply, visit their website. 

employment

Gosnold Behavioral Health Seeks: 

School Based Counselor

and

Director of School Based Programs

covid notices | resources

Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated monthly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.

Asking for help is the first important step and there are resources out there that can support you no matter where you are in your journey with substances. If you want to talk with an Information and Referral Specialist now, call 800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065 or view our Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide.

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.

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 resources button 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.

service directory opportunity

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

newsletter sign-up & submit

Yes! I'd like to received the Human Services e-newsletter. When you click 'sign me up!' you will have a choice to receive both the Human Services and/or RSAC e-news delivered directly to your inbox.

• Submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form.
• Attachments must be in .PDF FORMAT ONLY please.
• Posting of articles submitted for this publication is at the discretion of the Department.