February 2, 2024: Issue 3
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Families of OD Victims Press For Safe Sites" ~ Greenfield Recorder (1/26/2024) |
"On her 26th birthday on Nov. 30, 2018, Eliza Harper died from an accidental opioid overdose on the living room couch in her South Deerfield home, despite being in recovery for 10 months. Her then 14-year-old brother, Jackson, was the first to come upon his sister that day.
“ Jackson tried desperately to breathe life into her, but she was already gone,” said Cara Moser of Northampton, speaking Thursday at a press conference at the State House organized by the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, where large banners with photos of those who have died from overdoses were displayed.
The event showed support for legislation that would create overdose prevention centers across the state to reduce the growing number of fatalities, which reached 2,357 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths reported to the state Department of Public Health in 2022.
More than five years after her daughter’s death, Moser said there is a continued toll from her addiction. For Jackson, now in college, there is an ongoing struggle with the trauma of that day, while grief remains for Moser. “Losing a child is the hardest, worst pain you can endure,”
Moser said as she held back tears.
Last fall, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery took testimony on the legislation filed by Sen. Julian Cyr and Reps. Marjorie Decker and Dylan Fernandez and supported by 60 other legislators.
As written, the legislation calls for a 10-year pilot program in which communities could open supervised overdose prevention centers, also known as injection sites. People with substance use addictions could then take pre-obtained drugs at the centers under the supervision of trained staff who could help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV, respond to potential overdoses, provide access to naloxone, known by its brand name Narcan, and connect participants to treatment or other services.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan was among those in October who called the placement of safe consumption sites “urgent and necessary” to address the fentanyl epidemic. But such centers are illegal under federal law, though two are operating in New York City, and some states have moved to legalize them. According to the advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance, there are more than 200 such sites operating in more than a dozen countries, many of them in Europe.
At Thursday’s event, Moser said that more than 10,000 lives have been lost to opioid overdoses, most involving fentanyl, in Massachusetts over the past five years. “To me these are crazy numbers, I can’t understand why we’re not moving on his legislation,” Moser said.
Overdose prevention centers are critical, Moser said, and she would welcome one in Northampton. “These centers have consistently demonstrated ability to prevent death from overdoses, and provide other vital services, spaces where people can feel safe and cared about,” Moser said.
Her daughter would have benefited, even after nearly a year of sobriety. “We thought we were all set, ready to go,” Moser said. But she said her daughter kept her trauma demons to herself.
The state legislation has support from 40 organizations, including the American Medical Association, the ACLU, the Boston Medical Center and Fenway Health.
...Cheryl Juaire, a founder of Team Sharing, has lost two sons, Corey and Sean, to overdoses. Overdose prevention centers can test drugs and allow people to use in a clean environment with trained health care workers, she said, and often food, showers, clothing and haircuts for dignity are offered, along with counseling and treatment recovery.
“Had there been someplace to go, maybe he would be alive today,” Juaire said. “Maybe both my children would be.” (Staff File Photo)
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"Input Sought on Opoid Settlement Uses" ~Greenfield Recorder (1/30/2024) |
"As money from the nationwide opioid settlement continues to be disbursed to Franklin County towns, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), in partnership with local boards of health, is inviting residents to share their input on how this funding should be spent to support public health.
On Monday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m., FRCOG and local boards of health from around the county will hold a listening session via Zoom to provide residents with a chance to share their ideas on how settlement funds should be spent in the region. Registration is required — anonymous registrations are allowed, but an email is needed — and can be done here.
“What we’re hoping for is people impacted by the opioid crisis in one way or another … can come and share what they think priorities should be for reducing the harm of the opioid crisis in our community,” said FRCOG’s Director of Community Health Phoebe Walker.
The nationwide opioid settlement agreement, first announced in July 2021 and expanded in subsequent years, set Massachusetts up to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from opioid manufacturers and pharmacies following investigations and litigation over their roles in fueling the opioid epidemic, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. To begin receiving payments, municipalities were required to sign and return a participation form. As a participating municipality, Greenfield will receive $1.7 million over the span of about 15 to 18 years, in multiple payments each year. As of September 2023, the city has received approximately $234,000, according to the AG’s office.
Other communities receiving significant amounts of funding include $521,000 for Orange, $330,500 for Deerfield, $194,562 for Erving, $149,380 for Sunderland, $134,000 for Conway and $91,822 for Rowe. In total, the county will receive approximately $3.77 million.
The funding model distributes settlement dollars to counties using federal data on the prevalence of opioid use disorder in a county from 2007 to 2016, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on overdose deaths in the same period, and Drug Enforcement Agency data on opioid shipments from 2006 to 2014. U.S. census data, with some boundaries decided
by ZIP code, showing how municipalities have split funding for government functions related to opioid abatement is also used, according to the AG’s office.
Uses of the settlement money are limited to a specific set of parameters laid out by the national agreement. Municipalities are able to use the funding to support people with opioid-use disorder or those in recovery; support community- or school-based services; implement harm-reduction methods, such as providing naloxone; and address the needs of people with opioid use disorder in the criminal justice system.
With amounts of money being distributed to individual towns ranging from just a couple hundred to more than a million dollars, Walker said the goal is to bring people into direct contact with local health officials to share feedback and ideas on how this funding should be spent.
The state, Walker added, is encouraging partnerships among public health collaboratives, such as the Valley Health Regional Collaborative comprised of Greenfield, Deerfield, Montague, Sunderland, Leverett and Shutesbur y.
Additional information on the opioid settlement, as well as a full list of which Franklin County communities are receiving money, is available on FRCOG’s website at frcog.org/opioid-settlement-updates/
“We would really welcome people coming,” Walker said. “The local boards of health are really interested in hearing from people who know this problem most intimately. ”
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
February 2, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
February 5, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
February 7, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
February 8, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
In-Person: 6th Annual Sober Housing Summit sponsored by the Housing & Workforce Development Committee
February 9, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Greenfield Community College
Dining Commons
One College Drive
Greenfield, MA
Invite here.
Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
February 12, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
February 12, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
February 13, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
February 21, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Consult our website or Facebook Page for updates. Please email us with any questions!
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FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
CONNECT: Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services | |
Updated Emergency Resources for
Unhoused Individuals
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Time Sensitive Announcements | |
January 10 - February 14 Wednesdays - Active Parenting of Teens | |
January 11 - February 15 Thursdays Positive Discipline | |
February 1 - March 28 Thursdays Bilingual Music & Movement
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February 2 - 4 Greenfield's 102nd Winter Carnival | |
February 2 Parade of Lights!! | |
REGISTRATION CLOSES February 2
February 5 - May 6 Mondays Young Business People
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February 3 Winter Carnival Cribbage Tournament | |
February 3 Valentine Card Making | |
February 3 Jigsaw Puzzle Contest | |
February 3 Mad Science Fire & Ice Show | |
February 3 Family Activities at 20 Sanderson Street | |
February 3 Stone Soup Cafe Menu | |
February 4 Cardboard Sled Race | |
February 5 Board of Health Opioid Listening Session | |
February 6 - March 12 Tuesdays Astrology with Mara Bright | |
February 7 Hands-Only CPR Course | |
February 7 Stories & Songs with Local Author Terry McConnell | |
February 8 Together We Can Be The Dream | |
February 8 (Every Thursday) Free! Children's Closet | |
February 9 6th Annual Sober Housing Summit
You can register for this event via Eventbrite here.
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February 9 & 10 Resilience Rising
Tickets can be purchased here
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Resilience Rising: A Fundraiser For Nelcwit
Join us for a night of community and live theater! This review show is sure to be a night to remember. We will make our way through Broadway favorites as we raise money for NELCWIT. This event will feature many special guests from our beautiful community and is underwritten by Greenfield Savings Bank.
Ticket Prices: General Admission (Adult) - $15 Children (12 and under) - $12 Senior Citizen (65 and over) - $12 All Star (General + Donation) - $25
Rated: G Running time: 90 minutes (one intermission) Note: Strobe and Special Lighting Effects will be used throughout the show.
Venue: Ja'Duke Theater, 110 Industrial Blvd Turners Falls MA 01376
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February 9 & 10 HYRT Presents: Dragon Feathers | |
February 10 Make a Victorian Puzzle Purse Valentine! | |
February 11 Genealogy Drop-In | |
February 12 Champions for Children's Emotional Health | |
February 13 Prevention Starts With All:
The Chris Herren Story
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February 13 Supper For Six | |
February 15 Random Acts of Kindness Project | |
February 15 West African Drumming Class | |
February 16 Exploring Visual Identity Inspired by Street Art | |
February 17 Winter Farmers Market | |
February 17 Annual St. Jude's Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser | |
February 17 6th Annual Loving Your Recovery Event | |
February 17 Winter HooPla! | |
February 17 Arc-a-Palooza | |
February 19 - February 24 School Vacation Programs | |
February 22 Graphic Novel Book Club! | |
February 23 Snow Tubing Community Day | |
February 24 Make Your Own Creative Bookmark | |
February 26 & 27 Make-A-Stuffie | |
February 29 Virtual Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training
Register Here
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March 18 Financial Literacy Workshop
(8 Week Course on Mondays)
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April 2 Greenfield Public Library Presents Jarrett Krosoczka | |
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MONTHLY/WORKSHOP CALENDERS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
Improving Housing to Improve Health News | |
Re-Entry Foundational Manufacturing Program | |
February Franklin County Reentry Center Calendar | |
February Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
February Brick House Programs | |
February Montague Public Libraries Programs | |
February at the RECOVER Project | |
February - March LifePath Healthy Living 2024 Winter Workshops | |
February - March Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
RECOVER Project Groups At a Glance | |
Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at
The RECOVER Project
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday
The Community Closet at The Franklin County Reentry Center
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Monday - Friday
Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders
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Mondays North Quabbin Patch Parents' Council | |
Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
Second Mondays of the Month - North Quabbin B.R.A.V.E. Task Force Meetings | |
Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group | |
2nd Mondays
Greenfield Healing Clinic
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2nd and 4th Mondays
Parenting Together at the Brick House
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Mondays and Wednesdays
Restless, Irritable, and Discontent: Your Brain in Recovery
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Tuesdays
Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle
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First Tuesday - Dads' Group at Valuing Our Children | |
Tuesday Tea Time & Community Resource Drop-In | |
Tuesdays North Quabbin Recovery Center Coffee Hour | |
Tuesdays Greenfield Suicide Loss Group | |
First Tuesday - P.A.R.T. Task Force | |
Tuesdays Drop-In Knitting & Sewing Sessions | |
2nd Tuesdays New Member Orientation at the RECOVER Project | |
Tuesday Men's Anger Management Group
Wednesday Women's Anger Management Group
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Wednesdays - Housing Navigator Sessions at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC | |
Wednesdays Men's Support Group:
Keep Moving Forward
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Last Wednesday of the Month Office Hours With An Att | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
Thursdays Recovery Support Group Meetings at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House | |
Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish | |
Second Thursdays Every Month, Peer Grief Support | |
First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic at the RP | |
Every First & Third Friday - Grandparents & Kinship Support Group | |
Every Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project | |
Last Friday of the Month: Gardening in Recovery | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Act Now to Stay Covered with MassHealth | |
DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps Opportunity at
Montague Catholic Social Ministries
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CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information | |
Free Meals and Essentials
Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall
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Come Cook with Franklin County
Community Meals Program
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CONNECTIONS -
A Residential Program of Behavioral Health Network
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Orange Food Pantry Seeking Non-Food Donations | |
When people think of donating to our agency and food pantry, they often think of food- however, that's easier for us to obtain with local partnerships with farms and retailers. What we struggle to keep stocked are hygienic & household products, such as:
- Adult pull-ups size Medium, Large, & XL
- Menstrual products
- Bath products- bath wash or bar soap, shampoo, conditioner
- Deodorant
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Toothpaste (we have plenty of toothbrushes currently!)
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry Detergent
- Dish Soap
- Household cleaners- Windex, multi-surface, floor cleaner, etc.
Dozen-sized egg cartons for repackaging the hundreds of eggs we receive weekly from retailers are also needed.
Please share this list amongst your networks! Donations can be dropped off at 324 Wells Street (the Franklin County Community Distribution Center) at our office, or if donating a large amount, drop-off can be coordinated via donate@fccmp.org. (Image credit: Pixabay)
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Family Self-Sufficiency Program Available | |
Eviction Self-Help Booklets Available in Multiple Languages | |
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MLRI has recently updated and translated some of our self-help booklets for unrepresented tenants facing eviction. While we still recommend tenants facing eviction seek legal help, we know resources are limited and many tenants have to represent themselves. We hope these booklets can be helpful to pro se tenants and their advocates.
You can see the full list of booklets below, or at MassLegalHelp. The booklets can help tenants prepare for court, outline their legal claims, and file court forms. There is also a booklet to help public housing tenants navigate the Grievance process.
Please reach out if you have any questions about the booklets and how they can be used.
What steps to take before going to court and what to bring to court.
An easy-to-use checklist that tells you what conditions violate the State Sanitary Code. You can also use the free self-help guided interview, MADE: Up To Code.
The Answer is a court form that tenants facing evictions can file with the court to outline your legal claims and tell the court your side of the story. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
How to ask the court to accept your Answer and Discovery forms late. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
A form with instructions for tenants facing eviction to get information to prepare for their trial.
A form with instructions for tenants in foreclosed properties to get information to prepare their case.
A form you can file to transfer your eviction case from a District Court to a Housing Court.
How to get a new court date if you missed your court date.
If you lost your eviction trial and think you have a good case, you may appeal. This document tells you which Appeal form to use.
How to file an appeal from a case in Housing Court.
How to file an appeal from a case in District Court.
How to get time to stay in your home if you lost your case.
How to ask the court to pay for court costs.
How to think through the terms you want in an agreement. Includes a worksheet and stipulation forms to use when you go to court. Read this booklet as webpages and watch the videos!
How to correct errors on your online court records. The Booklet includes the court form you can save to your computer, fill out, save again and print when ready.
A booklet for tenants in Mass. about the grievance process, including worksheets to help you prepare for a grievance hearing.
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Update! Greenfield CSC New Hybrid Operations Change |
The Greenfield Court Service Center is located at 43 Hope St., 1st Floor, Greenfield, MA.
They offer in-person services on Tuesdays & Thursdays, ONLY, from 8:30 am-1 pm, and 2 pm-4 pm. Remote services (email, phone, Zoom) are available on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
For an intake, contact the Virtual Court Service Center, Mon. thru Fri. 9 am-12 pm by telephone: 1-646-828-7666, press #, #, then enter meeting ID: 161 526 1140 or by video: www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140.
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COMMUNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES | |
Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org
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