September 20, 2024: Issue 18
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Study: Addiction Prevention Program Sees Mixed Results
Greenfield Recorder (9/13/24)
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Intervention from the largest ever addiction prevention and treatment program produced a 15% reduction in non-fatal opioid overdoses, but no difference in the number of overdose deaths, according to a report published by the New England Journal of Medicine and detailed at the John W. Olver Transit Center on Wednesday. The program was conducted across four states, including Massachusetts.
Wednesday’s event was part of an educational series organized by the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region to share lessons learned from the 18-month participation in the study from July 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the HEALing Communities Study successfully engaged communities to select and implement hundreds of evidence-based strategies over the course of the intervention, demonstrating how leveraging community partnerships and using data to inform public health decisions can effectively support the uptake of evidence-based strategies at the local level.
“This study brought researchers, providers and communities together to break down barriers and promote the use of evidence- based strategies that we know are effective, including medications for opioid use disorder and naloxone,” said Dr. Nora D. Volkow, NIDA’s director.
Dr. Jeffrey Samet, a Boston University public health professor who led the HEALing Communities Study in Massachusetts, and Carly Bridden, a clinical research director at Boston Medical Center, were welcomed by the Opioid Task Force to explain the conclusions of a randomized controlled trial launched in April 2019.
The HEALing Communities Study took place in 67 communities in Massachusetts, New York, Kentucky and Ohio. Massachusetts had 16 communities participating in the study. In Franklin County, Greenfield, Montague and Orange were combined into one community with Athol in Worcester County.
The intervention resulted in a 79% increase in the availability of naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. According to the trial’s conclusions, medications prescribed for opioid use disorder did not increase, though there was a decline in the stigma behind them.
Rachel Katz, a nurse practitioner and addiction clinician, said Franklin County’s figures often seem lower than other locales but are better put into perspective when viewed at a per-capita rate.
More information about the HEALing Communities Study, including the Massachusetts- specific study, is available at tinyurl.com/ 39a6m5xm.
(PHOTO CREDIT: DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN)
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"Annual Breakfast Raises $50K for CAC "
Greenfield Recorder (9/19/24)
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Entering the Greenfield Community College Dining Commons on Friday, the more than 200 attendees of the annual Help, Hope and Healing Breakfast were greeted by 158 T-shirts suspended throughout the room, representing each child served by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin over the past year.
The annual breakfast provided an opportunity to share stories of hope and healing, as well as information about the services the Children’s Advocacy Center offers and how the community can help support the agency’s mission.
Executive Director Jeffrey Trant provided an overview of the new location the Children’s Advocacy Center is opening later this year in Orange and discussed the enhanced trauma-focused mental health services that are being offered.
Abby Bliss, family advocate at the Children’s Advocacy Center, served as the breakfast’s keynote speaker. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse herself, Bliss gave a speech on the impact of sexual abuse, the imperative of believing victims, and the importance of giving a voice to survivors of abuse, exploitation and assault.
Three awards were given to community leaders at the breakfast. Trant presented Jennifer Gagne with the Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing the significant impact she has made at the Children’s Advocacy Center as one of the organization’s longest-serving volunteers in education and training.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan presented assistant district attorneys Anne Yereniuk and Stephanie Jimenez of the Northwestern District Attorney ’s Office Child Protective Unit with the Heroes of Justice Award for their work prosecuting two high-profile child abuse cases, one of which resulted in a life sentence.
Sullivan also presented Detective Tucker Jenkins of the Shelburne Police Department with the Champion of Children Award for his work as Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s school resource officer and a local coach.
The morning closed with a performance by children from the Ja’Duke Center for the Performing Arts.
Nearly $50,000 was raised at the breakfast to support the mission and work of the Children’s Advocacy Center.
Trant said in an interview that the inaugural breakfast was held in 2014, and this year’s fundraiser raised the most money of any breakfast to date.
Friday’s fundraiser brought in roughly 16% more money than the 2023 event.
(STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
September 20, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
October 2, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
October 4, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
October 7, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
October 8, 2024
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
October 8, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
October 10, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
October 11, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
October 16, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
October 21, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
October 21, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
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 | |
Time Sensitive Announcements | |
September 20 Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Kinship Caregiving Part 2 | |
September 20 Recovery Celebration | |
September 21 Mushroom Foraging | |
September 21 Tom Knight Musical Puppet Show & Lunch to benefit Stone Soup Cafe | |
September 21 Stone Soup Cafe Menu | |
September 21 Tony Vacca and Fusion Nomads | |
September 24 Oh Poop! Let's Tackle Toileting Together! | |
September 24 Conversations About Memory | |
September 24 - October 29 (Tuesdays) Introduction to Astrology | |
September 25 Wildflower Alliance Fall Equinox Potluck | |
September 26 Narcan as First Aid: Accessing Narcan in Public Spaces
You can register for this event here
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September 26 Family Crafts and Story Hour | |
September 26 MOAR and Friends 34th Recovery Month Celebration Day | |
September 26: Closing of Millers Falls Branch Library for Renovations | |
September 27 "The Art of Recovery" Artist Guild Exhibition | |
September 27 Policy, Systems, and Environment Change Training Zoom option available October 7 | |
September 27 Homeschool Hangout | |
September 28 Montague Community Fair | |
September 28 Erving Fall Festival | |
September 28 - 29 North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival | |
September 30 4 Ways A Hand Therapist Can Benefit Your Life | |
October 1 NQCC's National Night Out
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October 2 "Meet The Artists" and Help Plan a Mural | |
October 2 CSO's Take Out Clubhouse Spaghetti Dinner from 6-8PM | |
October 3-December 12 Weekly Thursday Virtual Parenting Journey | |
October 4, 11, 18, and 25 Story Time | |
October 6 A Halloween Harvest | |
October 7 Greenfield Healing Clinic/Clinica de curacion en Greenfield | |
October 10 United Way Campaign 2024-25 Kick-Off Breakfast | |
October 18 Communities That Care Coalition 2024 Student Health Survey Data Release | |
October 24 Evidence-Based Practices to Prevent Overdose with
Alexander J. Walley, MD. MSC
You can register for this free event here
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MONTHLY WORKSHOP CALENDRS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
September at The Art Garden | |
September at The Brick House | |
September Community Action Family Center Calendar | |
September Events at the Erving Senior Center | |
September Programs at Franklin County Reentry Center | |
September Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
September Montague Public Library Programs | |
September Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
LifePath Healthy Living 2024 Fall Workshops | |
2024 Seeds of Solidarity Calendar of Events | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Parenting Well When You Are Not Feeling Well | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
What's Happening at The NQRC | |
RECOVER Project Groups At a Glance | |
Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at The RECOVER Project | |
Mondays September 9 - September 30 Mini & Me Yoga | |
Mondays September 9 - October 28 Functional Training Fitness Class for Adults | |
Mondays September 9 - November 11 Lasting Lifestyles | |
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 Breaking Barriers at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
Mondays Community Yoga at Wildflower Alliance | |
Mondays at FCSO Reentry Center - Recovery Through Creativity | |
Mondays CNC Playgroup at the Erving Public Library | |
Second Mondays of the Month - North Quabbin B.R.A.V.E. Task Force Meetings | |
Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group | |
2nd and 4th Mondays Parenting Together at the Brick House | |
Third Monday Alphabet & Allies | |
Third Monday Parenting With Pride | |
Mondays and Thursdays Hygiene Supplies Pick Up at the Brick House | |
Mondays and Thursdays The Brick House Food Pantry | |
Tuesdays September 10 - October 15 Introduction to Genealogical Research | |
Tuesdays September 10 - October 29 Healing Trauma | |
Tuesdays Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery | |
Tuesdays Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle | |
Every Other Tuesday - Housing Support Drop In Hours | |
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 & Thursdays Weekly Reentry Groups | |
Tuesday Men's Anger Management Group
Wednesday Women's Anger Management Group
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Wednesdays September 11 - October 30 Women's Writing Group | |
Wednesdays September 18 - December 11 Nurturing Fathers Group | |
Wednesdays - Wendell Library Playgroup with Sylvia | |
Wednesdays - Playgroup at the Leverett Library with Gillian | |
Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC | |
First Wednesday of the month Gentle Yoga and Breathwork with Jennifer | |
Whatever Wednesday's on the Second Wednesday of every month | |
Free Food - Every Third Wednesday | |
Last Wednesdays of Every month Office Hours With An Attorney | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
Thursdays Dungeons and Dragons | |
Thursdays Mens Group in the RPX | |
Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House | |
Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish | |
Second Thursdays -Peer Grief Support After Overdose Death | |
Fridays FreeWrite of Franklin County | |
Friday Writing Group at the RP | |
First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic at the RP | |
Every Friday - The Garden Path | |
MassHealth Navigation Support
First Friday of the month 9am-12pm and Third Friday of the month 1pm - 3pm
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Every First & Third Friday Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group | |
Every Second Friday Chosen Family Night | |
Every Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project | |
Last Friday of the Month: Gardening in Recovery | |
Recovery Coach Supervisor Position at the RP | |
Recovery Coach Positions at the RP | |
Re-entry Workforce Program | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing | |
Specialized HVAC Training | |
Specialized Information Technology Training | |
SafeSpot Virtual Overdose Spotting Hotline | |
CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information | |
Free Meals and Essentials at Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall | |
Come Cook with Franklin County Community Meals Program | |
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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