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September 20, 2024: Issue 18

Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in

Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.

UPCOMING EVENTS

See what's happening at OTF this month.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Explore OTF's COVID-19 Resource Guide.

MASSACHUSETTS SUBSTANCE USE HELPLINE

Hope is here. Get help.

413Cares
Resources for Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region. Click here.

NQCC'S RESOURCES

Resources and upcoming events in the North Quabbin Region. Click here.

CONNECTIONS #83

Find local resources in this issue.

Emergency Services Resources for Unhoused Individuals

The PACES CONNECTION

Click here for resources.

Grayken Center for Addiction

Training & Technical Assistance

Click here to view and/or register for trainings.

GCC Community Engagement and Workshop Events

Click here to view and/or register for trainings.

Rural SUD Info Center

Click here for resources.


“We can't change what other people say or do. Our power lies in how we react to it. Protect your peace.”

~Barb Schmidt

Hello Allies and Friends,


As National Recovery Month comes to a close I want to remind us all that recovery is a lifelong process that requires daily investment from the individual, their loved ones, and their community. Recovery doesn’t start or end exclusively in September, so our investment in our neighbors and loved ones must extend beyond this month.


The work we do at CONNECT and the Opioid Task Force makes us acutely aware of the impact geographic disparities and community isolation have on those with substance use disorder. Without access to services and support from the community, many are left struggling to cope. Recovery is only possible if we choose to support those willing to be brave enough to try. We can’t do much in this world alone, but we can do hard things together!


The journey towards recovery is paved with radical love and acceptance, which means meeting people where they are. Sometimes, that means meeting people where they are physically so they can get what they need to make positive changes for themselves, which is why CONNECT is launching its latest initiative.


Let me introduce you to the CONNECT Mobile Outreach Program and our new van!

One of CONNECT's most significant challenges since its launch in 2021 has been reaching those in our community's most rural towns and bringing services to those who need them most. The Franklin County and North Quabbin region is unique in that we have built small-town communities with a vibrant and progressive culture. Still, the challenges of transportation, stigma, and service availability have greatly contributed to the high rates of substance misuse and overdose in our region.


The CONNECT Mobile Outreach Program and our van aims to change that. Our goal is to advance geographic equity and tap into the power of our communities to embrace and lift up those who struggle with addiction and their families who have faced crippling loss of hope and loved ones.


As we finalize our schedule, pack the van full of prevention items like naloxone/Narcan, fentanyl test strips, CPR masks, basic necessities and toiletries, first aid supplies, water, and more, we invite you to follow the CONNECT social media pages for updates on where and when you can come visit us. You can also sign up for our newsletters, look for us on our local media outlets, and spread the word about our efforts with people you know who might benefit from meeting

with us and our outreach team. As always, you can also contact me by email nicole@opioidtaskforce.org for more information about CONNECT and our Mobile Outreach Program. 


September has been a wonderful month of remembrance, visibility, community support, awareness, celebration, and acts of radical unconditional love. I encourage us all to keep this going day in and day out. Our communities need us, they need you. I will leave you all with a quote from Bell Hooks about healing and community: “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion”. Together, we can #endoverdose #endstigma and #recover!


Sincerely,

Nicole St. Hilaire

CONNECT Outreach Manager, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region

OTF Members in the News

"Study: Addiction Prevention Program Sees Mixed Results

Greenfield Recorder (9/13/24)

 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)

"Annual Breakfast Raises $50K for CAC "

Greenfield Recorder (9/19/24)



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)

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!

FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONNECT: Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services

Support & Resources After the HEALing Communities Study

Learn more at HealTogetherMA.org

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

7:30-9:30pm at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls $15-$20 Sliding Scale https://sheatheater.org/

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

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 Turtles!

September 28 Montague Community Fair

September 28 Erving Fall Festival

September 28 TrolleyFest

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

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

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 at the Shea

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

Monday - Friday

Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders

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

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

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 English Classes

Free Meals and Essentials at Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall

Come Cook with Franklin County Community Meals Program

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Available

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program

Eviction Self-Help Booklets Available in Multiple Languages


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.

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.

COMMUNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org
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