Dukes County Health & Human Services Newsletter
Connecting Islanders with Care
Latest News Regarding
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
For local Coronavirus information including latest press releases and medical and non-medical assistance updates, you can check the Dukes County website here.

MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising the simple use of simple cloth face coverings to be worn by EVERYONE when out in public.
  • For more information click here. Video from local officials click here, including Portuguese translation.

SAFE FOOD AND GASOLINE GUIDELINES
  • At the store:
  • Stay 6 feet apart, avoid crowded aisles, wear masks and gloves
  • Wipe down handle of cart
  • Commit to what you are buying
  • Place fruits & vegetables and place directly in bags
  • Sanitize your hands after checking out
  • Wipe down door handles, steering wheel, anything else you touched after shopping with disinfecting spray
  • At home:
  • Leave dry goods out of the house for 3 days
  • Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds and change your clothes
  • Wipe down all surfaces with a disinfecting spray or wipe
  • Wipe down packaging and if possible, remove contents from packaging and dispose of packaging (plastic, cardboard, etc.) Keep packaging outside
  • If you can not dispose of packaging, clean them by carefully wiping down with disinfectant or soap and warm water
  • Coronavirus can live up to 2 years if frozen, wipe down all frozen food containers, remove original cardboard packaging
  • At the gas station:
  • Wear masks and gloves
  • After pumping gas, dispose of gloves in the trash at gas station
  • If you don't have gloves, use hand sanitizer or wipes before and after you touch fuel pump
  • For more information click here. Video from local officials click here.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, SELF AND HOME SANITIZATION
  • Maintain a 6 foot distance from other people
  • Do not leave the house unless necessary (grocery store, pharmacy, gas stations, bank, government buildings)
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water
  • Take daily showers, keep fingernails short and clean
  • Wash clothes frequently
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often
  • Coronavirus can survive on:
  • Porous material (clothes) for 12 hours, cardboard for 24 hours, metal for 48 hours, copper and wood for 4 hours, hard surfaces (plastic and steel) for 72 hours, and in the air for 30 minutes
Take the 2020 Census Online
The EASIEST way to take the 2020 Census is ON LINE. To start go to   http://www.my2020census.gov

When you get to the page that asks you to log-in, please click "If you do not have a Census ID, click here." On the Vineyard with our numerous PO boxes, most of us will not be receiving those codes. Please share this with your friends and neighbors to make sure we’re all completing the Census online.
This is the first time that census can be filled out online. Please do so to make sure you are counted and to forego a visit from a census worker at your door steps. The deadline to be counted in the 2020 Census has been extended to October 31, 2020, but the sooner you and your family get counted, the better.
The census data are used for distribution of federal aid, grants and much more. It is important than every resident in Dukes County is counted. This included our Portuguese speaking neighbors, even the ones that perhaps might not have the proper documentation to be here. The census taking will not in any way impact their lives. Please encourage others to take the census too, so that in times of need, like we are in right now, our community receives our fair share of aid.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dukes County Commissioner Keith Chatinover at  kchatinover@gmail.com.
Latest News from our Departments
Updated Hours of Operation
We are currently closed to the public in order to protect our employees’ safety and yours. We are now conducting business by telephone and email. We can still help with applications and all related questions. Call (508) 696-0020 or email us at  info@mvhealthcareaccess.org , we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are keeping up to date on many changes with MassHealth and the Health Connector, such as the MassHealth “termination moratorium” (your MassHealth won’t end during the emergency), the Health Connector’s extended Open Enrollment through May 25 and much more.  

Coverage Information for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Health plans are required to cover testing and treatment for members affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to enroll, deadline is extended until May 25th.

Call the Access Program if you have questions or need to purchase a plan.
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Phone: (508) 696-3844
Hours of Operation: Monday, Thursday & Friday 9-4

Serving Hands Easter Food Distribution Program
On Friday, April 10th, Dukes County Social Services performed an outreach and assistance program for the Serving Hands Food Distribution Easter Program.

The bags are packed at the Baptist Church on Spring Street in Vineyard Haven with food provided by donors, grocery stores and the Boston Food Bank . Volunteers deliver food to about 75 families. There were an additional 275 individuals and families who drove up and received 2 bags of fruits, vegetables and either a ham or a chicken. 

There has been a substantial increase in families and individuals needing this service. The regular Serving Hands Monthly Distribution will be in two weeks on Friday, April 24th. It will work the same way as this one due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

Alicia Nicholson, Program Director of Daybreak Clubhouse coordinates this effort. She took over from Betty Burton in the last year. She can be reached by leaving a message at the Day Break Clubhouse number (508) 696-7563.

Fuel Assistance
The last day to apply for fuel assistance for the 2019/2020 heating season is April 30. If approved, South Shore Community Action Fuel Assistance Program will provide partial funding toward the heating cost from the previous season that runs from November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020. This is only as long as funds exist in that program for the season. 

Uptick in Inquires at Social Services and Vineyard Health Care Access
Due to current stay-at-home order and construction ban, Social Services, along with Vineyard Health Care Access Program have seen a spike in requests to assist with completing unemployment applications.  Click here to read article from the MV Times.

Bruce Montrose
Phone: (508) 693-6887
VA CLAIMS & APPEALS: COVID-19 Requesting Extensions Guidance
VA Central Office (VACO) released this document which provides additional guidance on claims and appeals processing. This guidance is in effect from 03/01/2020 until 60 days after the conclusion of the current National State of Emergency.
  • Claimants and/or their representative may request time limit extensions on an individual claim’s basis. These time limit extensions may be requested for the following items during this time period:
  • Filing a claim that would apply to an Intent to File (if the ITF expired during the state of emergency).
  • Filing an appeal to BVA or request of a decision review.
  • Filing documentation in response to a proposed reduction or adverse action.
  • Submitting evidence requested by VA.
  • Rescheduling a missed hearing.
  • Rescheduling a missed C&P exam.
In order for VA to grant a filing extension based on the requirements above, the representative must identify the claimant & claim action for which the extension is being requested.

VA has also issued guidance stating that any mail or correspondence addressed to the VA during this time period will be established using the USPS Postmark Date. Although VACO has verbally told VSOs that this contingency will also apply to mail addressed to VSOs offices within VAROs, VACO has yet provided written guidance stating that USPS Postmark Dates will also be used as VA’s date of receipt for VSO earmarked correspondence within VAROs.

Click here for updated information.
Latest News
Due to the Coronavirus, homeless prevention has been focused on providing some emergency support to individuals and families who are unhoused.

As of April, the County, supplemented by some homeless prevention funding administered by Harbor Homes of MV, has housed 11 individuals and one family of 3 in local hotels. In addition to being able to socially distance themselves from others, these residents have been able to access food and clean clothes. Funding for this initiative has come from a state earmark, private donors, and the Permanent Endowment of MV and the MV Bank.

Unfortunately, the need is greater than the resources. Emergency shelter is needed by an additional 12-15 chronically homeless individuals. Current funding is adequate only through the end of April. Donations are being accepted at the County Homeless Prevention Fund to provide emergency shelter and supports beyond April for homeless residents. Donations can be sent here:
  • County of Dukes County
P.O. Box 190
Edgartown, MA 02539
Write  Homeless Prevention  in the MEMO line
 
  • Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard
P.O. Box 4795
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 
Write  Homeless Prevention  in the MEMO line

Leslie Clapp
Office is currently closed due to COVID-19
Supportive Day Program
  • The staff is reaching out to our clients and families (those who wish to participate) via a regular phone call check in to see how they are doing and to engage in conversation when possible. We have moved the SDP to online programming through Zoom Tuesday and Thursday, 10-12: chair exercise, yoga, music, discussion (more to come).There is a group of 5-7 clients who are able to participate with the assistance of a tech savvy caregiver, 5 or 6 additional clients would be able to participate if they had a device (laptop or tablet) and their caregiver could assist. Caregiver Support Group will move to Zoom beginning Friday April 17th.
Emergency Food Program
  • In response to greatly increased need we have worked closely with other agencies involved to coordinate the best response for the island community. These agencies include: Island Food Pantry, Island Grown Initiative, Elder Services, MV Community Services, Church Community Suppers, and Good Shepherd Parish. Senior Centers (with the exception of Oak Bluffs) will continue to distribute food once a month. Serving Hands Pantry (Baptist Church in VH) has increased its distribution to twice a month (second and fourth Friday) and have established three additional sites in order to decrease the number of people gathering in any one site to pick up food. These sites are: Edgartown School, West Tisbury School and MV Community Services parking lots. IFP (Island Food Products) is making additional trips to the Greater Boston Food Bank to pick up food for the Emergency Food Program. We received $4,000 grant from the Permanent Endowment for MV Emergency Response Fund to support costs of food pick up trips by IFP.

Richard Cohen
Phone: ( 508) 697-9330
  • The Mass. Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) has created a Coronavirus Visual Tool to assist Medical Professionals and Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to communicate better during medical appointments. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/covid-19-card
 
 
  • Looking for something to do at your home during this period, watch a ground breaking and critically acclaimed movie about self-empowerment and the origin of the disabilities rights movement. Crip Camp is about how a group of teens with disabilities were galvanized at a summer camp in the late 1960's to help build a movement, forging a new path toward greater equality." https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496; It is personally the best self-advocacy/disabilities rights film I have ever seen. As you continue to "Stay at Home", I recommend you catch this movie if you can.
 

  • Visit the Center of Public Representation of Massachusetts website for other up-to-date information on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with disabilities, latest policy developments, Medicaid funded services and other resources. https://www.centerforpublicrep.org/covid-19/   
Increased phone scams on Martha's Vineyard
There has been an increased number of scam phone calls on Martha’s Vineyard. Tell your friends and family about scam calls to protect them. People lose a lot of money to phone scams — sometimes their life savings. Scammers have figured out countless ways to cheat you out of your money over the phone. In some scams, they act friendly and helpful. In others, they might threaten or try to scare you.

For additional information on how to recognize phone scams, examples of common phone scams, reporting phone scams, etc. please click here.
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