Volume 274 | July 23, 2020
RSAC

REGIONAL SUBSTANCE USE COUNCIL
Edition 102 | May 13, 2021
Welcome to the Barnstable County Regional Substance Use Council (RSAC)
E-Newsletter. This monthly newsletter is designed to provide information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment,
and recovery. For additional information visit the Department website at www.bchumanservices.net
SPOTLIGHT
Barnstable County, Department of Human Services one of 31 Youth Substance Use Prevention Grant Awardees

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced $3.8 million in annual grants to 31 youth substance use prevention programs serving communities across the Commonwealth.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
RecoveryBuild Alternative Peer Group Program (APG) for Teens

Call 774-487-5227 if You are Concerned About a Teen's Substance Use. 

AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod Offering Monthly Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training

The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod offers monthly Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 2:00PM. These training sessions will focus on Harm Reduction Methods as it relates to injection drug use, how to recognize, respond to and prevent opioid overdoses and breaking the stigma associated with individuals who inject drugs. You will also learn how to access Narcan. To access the monthly training, use this Zoom link on the scheduled date and time or email Blake Gronlund at bgronlund@asgcc.org for more information. 
ASGCC Offers Stimulant Use Drop-in Group

AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod is offering twice-monthly drop-in groups for individuals who identify with stimulant use in any stage of recovery. For more information or to receive the Zoom link, contact 774-763-6656 or email groups@asgcc.org
Youth & Young Adult Homelessness – Take the Survey!

The Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services and its Youth and Young Adult Homelessness partners will be working with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and the Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth for the annual Massachusetts Youth Count. The Massachusetts Youth Count mobilizes youth, young adults, youth providers funded by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Continua of Care, schools, and other community partners to survey young people under the age of 25 from across the Commonwealth who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The insights and data gathered from the survey process are used to influence advocacy and programming to address youth and young adult homelessness. The count will be conducted between April 12th and May 24th.
Information on the survey can be found HERE.
Calmer Choice Spring Mindfulness Offerings

  • This Spring, Calmer Choice Offers New, Online Mindfulness Courses for Adults
  • FREE Morning Mindful Awareness Online Practice Groups
Try our free, online, mindful awareness practice groups meeting for basic mindfulness instruction, followed by a 15–20-minute guided mindful awareness practice.

These group sessions are facilitated over Zoom and you do not need to commit to all sessions. Join when you can!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 am
Thursday, 7:00 am – Mindful Stretching & Awareness Practice
Visit www.calmerchoice.org for full course listings and free mindfulness resources.
Recovery Coaching - With a Focus on Health and Wellness

What is Recovery Wellness Coaching? Click on button below for more information.
STATE NEWS
Got Student Loans?

MA STATE LOAN REPAYMENT 

This program funds BOTH Primary Care and Substance Use Providers. A full list is in the guide.
This is for health care professionals who commit to working full time or part time for two years in an eligible health care organization (up to $25,000 per year for two years). This program is funded through a combination of state and federal funds. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 21, 2021.
Voices Editor/Support After A Death by Overdose

SADOD provides resources, information, and assistance to people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause. Our focus is on increasing the capacity and effectiveness of peer grief support for bereaved people, frontline care providers, and people in recovery or struggling with drug use.
Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative. The PPP Deadline's Extended to May 31 - But Don't Wait, Sign Up Today

On Thursday, March 25, Congress gave approval for a two-month extension of the PPP with a new deadline of May 31, plus time for bank processing. We will share more news as it becomes available.
Both the application and forgiveness process may seem complicated, but the MEPPPAI can help (in 7 languages)! In 2020, we helped over 400 small businesses obtain an estimated $4.5 million in PPP loans. Sign up TODAY.
More businesses are eligible now for the PPP.

  • Many Businesses Qualify for More Funds than in 2020. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and the self-employed can get a loan, even without having a payroll or profit. They can also get more than they were able to get through the PPP in 2020.

  • Have an ITIN and no SSN? Criminal Record? Delinquent Student Loans? No Problem. The new rules make the PPP accessible to more small businesses and nonprofits.

  • Spent Your PPP Loan and Still Need Help? Get Another One. Small businesses that already received a PPP loan in 2020 can apply for another one if they meet certain qualifications.

  • No Repayment Required. The PPP is a forgivable loan, meaning it would not have to be paid back if used for specific, eligible uses.

Sign up TODAY to get help with your application from the Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative. Learn More

Check out "Myths about the PPP" and our "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" about changes to the PPP below.
 
Dispelling 9 Myths About the PPP
NATIONAL NEWS
HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines, Expanding Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

In an effort to get evidenced-based treatment to more Americans with opioid use disorder, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing new buprenorphine practice guidelines that among other things, remove a longtime requirement tied to training, which some practitioners have cited as a barrier to treating more people. 
COVID-19
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.
GROUP MEETINGS
Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide
Asking for help is the first important step.
Alcohol and other drug problems are treatable disorders. If you want to talk with a knowledgeable Information and Referral Specialist now,
Call 800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065 or view our Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide below.
Transgender Social Support Group
Group is open to trans, non-binary, questioning, or other gender diverse identified people ages 18+. You do not need to be a Fenway Health patient to join, and the group is free to attend.
 
Group via Zoom (5:30-7:00 pm) meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Contact Ann at aburke@fenwayhealth.org 
for more information and Zoom link.
Thrive! CIGSYA - LGBTQ and Ally Center of Cape Cod Continue Digital Meetings 

The LGBTQ+ group Thrive is for folks ages 13 to 22. We have been meeting virtually every Wednesday at 4 pm for fun, support, and more! This group creates space to discuss gender, sexuality, race, and our day to day among other things. If you are interested in joining one of our events, please email kgarcia@wethrive.us or check out our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeThriveLGBTQCenterCapeCod
Instagram: @cigsya Twitter: @thriveatcigsya 
HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES
CONTINUUM OF
CARE
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
REGIONAL NETWORK ON
HOMELESSNESS
REGIONAL
SUBSTANCE USE
COUNCIL
SHINE-
SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS
FOR EVERYONE
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT HOMELESSNESS
RESOURCES
SERVICE DIRECTORY
211 ASSISTANCE
MY CHOICE MATTERS
SUBSTANCE USE
RESOURCE GUIDE
EMERGENCY HOTLINES
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
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  • We are prioritizing timely information on the ever-changing landscape of health and human services events and opportunities.
  • Due to the increasing number of submissions to the newsletter, the Department reserves the right to limit the number of times a submission is published.
  • Posting of articles submitted for publication in the Barnstable County Department of Human Services E-Newsletter is at the discretion of the Department. To request this newsletter in alternate formats, please call 508-375-6628.