Greetings!
Here's the Latest News from our Departments
          
Phone: (508) 696-0020 
Hours of Operation: M – Th 8-5
Friday & Saturdays by appointment.
Open Enrollment Ends, Special Enrollment Period Begins
Open Enrollment, the period when consumers with moderate to higher incomes can shop and purchase health insurance, ended January 23 rd . Starting January 24 th , the “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) starts. During SEP people with higher incomes who are uninsured must have a Qualifying Life Event in order to purchase insurance.

Examples of these events include recently moved to the state, recently lost employer insurance, marriage and divorce. These rules only apply to people with higher incomes, not people with MassHealth or ConnectorCare plans. 

The next Open Enrollment period begins November 1, 2019. Call us for more information: (508) 696-0020
HELP WANTED! VHCAP is seeking an Administrative Assistant, for more information email Sarah: skuh@mvhealthcareaccess.org  

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

Read about the SNAP benefits program in the MVTimes.

Government Shutdown affects SNAP
Due to the partial federal government shutdown SNAP benefits for February were released early (by January 20 th ). Clients will not get another disbursement in February and they should plan their spending accordingly. March benefits are to be determined. If anyone is facing a food emergency they should visit the Island Food Pantry during regular hours or they may schedule a time during off hours by calling (508) 693-4764.
 
FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION! At the Dukes County Social Services office, 9 Airport Road, Edgartown
The Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands offers free tax assistance as a participant in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Trained volunteers help people with lower incomes (under $54,000), people with disabilities and other taxpayers who have simple tax returns. Call (508) 771-1727 to schedule an appointment on Tuesday February 19; and the following MONDAYS: March 4, 11, 18 and 25; and April 1 and 8. 

Phone: (508) 693-6887   

Types of Veteran ID Cards
There are many types of identification cards you can use to show you’re a Veteran. You only need to have one of them for this purpose. Learn about the different types of ID cards you can get.
 
Department of Defense Identification Card
A Department of Defense (DoD) Identification Card is used to show your military status and to get access to services at military bases. You may also use this card to get discounts offered to Veterans at many stores, businesses, and restaurants.
Note: Depending on your status, the DoD issues either a Common Access Card (CAC) or a Uniformed Services ID Card (USID).

Veteran Health Identification Card
When you’re enrolled in VA health care, you get a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) that you use to check in to your appointments at VA medical centers. You may also use this card to get discounts offered to Veterans at many stores, businesses, and restaurants.

Veteran ID Card
A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many stores, businesses, and restaurants. When you have this card, you won’t need to carry around your military discharge papers or share sensitive personal information to receive discounts.
 
How do I apply for a DoD, VIC or Veteran’s Health Identification Card?
For more information and to learn how apply for a Veteran Identification cards please visit: https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/

Phone: (978) 273-0533 

Houses of Grace Warming Center  is located in the basement of the Good Shepherd Parish Center at 55 School St., across from Oak Bluffs Town Hall. It’s a respite from the cold for men, women and families during these daytime hours with warm beverages and refreshment along with showers and laundry service provided. The warming center opens in November and closes at the end of March. To find out how you can help, call Good Shepherd Parish at 508-693-0342 for volunteer opportunities. The Warming Center schedule is as follows:

January 1 to March 31, 2019
Monday: 12:15 – 2:00 pm
Tuesday: 12:15 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm


Harbor Homes is moving forward
Harbor Homes of Martha's Vineyard is now the newest nonprofit on the Island. Harbor Homes will provide congregate housing, life skills education and case management services to low income residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Harbor Homes is in the process of fund raising to acquire properties to house individuals with incomes at or below 30% of the average median income (AMI) for Dukes County (about $19,500 a year).  The Harbor Homes Board is appreciative of the positive responses it has received from town committees.  
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention Update:

2018 saw dramatic increases on Martha's Vineyard in drug related deaths over 2017 with the number rising from  3 to 8. If these numbers look small to you think of it this way; doing the math and figuring out a per capita death rate due to overdose we are second only to West Virginia’s 2017 figures which were the highest in the Nation! There is help for those with a loved one suffering with addiction. Meetings on MV Wednesday nights. Call 774-563-9197 or visit www.learn2cope.org
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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