December 20, 2024: Issue 24
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Advocates Speak to Methadone Stigma"
Greenfield Recorder (12/6/24)
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Advocates from the National Coalition to Liberate Methadone discussed the stigma associated with methadone treatment and recommended ways to expand it during a virtual event hosted by the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region on Thursday afternoon.
The discussion kicked off with an overview of methadone treatment to curb opioid addiction, as well as methadone’s history of regulation and restriction. Caty Simon, a member of the National Coalition to Liberate Methadone and the National Survivors Union, explained that although there has been a “small dent” in the opioid crisis in recent years, overdose deaths are still rising in some parts of the country, particularly in minority communities.
Simon noted that although methadone restrictions eased slightly during the pandemic, many municipalities throughout the country neglected to take advantage of this.
“Pre-COVID, less than 20% of people diagnosable with opioid use disorder were accessing methadone — the purported gold standard with a decades-long evidence base behind it — because of rigid federal regulations dating back to the Nixon era,” Simon said. “These regulations were temporarily relaxed early on during COVID, but many states’ opioid treatment programs did not take advantage of these relaxations.”
The National Coalition to Liberate Methadone, a roughly 100-person organization founded in 2022, is comprised of a diverse array of individuals from across the United States, including people who once struggled with addiction, health care physicians and researchers.
The organization, Simon explained, works to draft and advocate for policies that facilitate access to methadone treatment on a national level. In addition to conducting a pandemic-era survey that reached drug users and methadone patients nationwide, the organization focused on creating opioid addiction treatment practices that were informed by those directly impacted by the epidemic.
A large part of the coalition’s work, according to member Dr. Noa Krawczyk, of the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University, was advocacy for the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act. If passed, this bill would allow pharmacies to provide people suffering from opioid addiction with prescribed methadone to take home. Currently, methadone patients can only access the treatment through on-site use at a clinic.
Krawczyk said bills like the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, in March 2023, aim to destigmatize methadone treatment and instead, treat it similarly to any other medical treatment.
“The overarching goal of our organization … and a leading North Star in terms of everything that goes into methadone
treatment, is the practice of normalizing methadone treatment as health care,”
Krawczyk explained. “It’s really this overarching idea of moving methadone into health care and out of the criminalization and stigmatization so that the system is built in grounding methadone treatment in person-centeredness.
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"New Offices for Legal Services"
Greenfield Recorder (/24)
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After decades working out of a satellite office on Federal Street, Community Legal Aid has found a new home in downtown Greenfield.
Community Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties, officially welcomed the public to its new home at 14 Hope St., Suite 104, on Nov.
19. The same building also houses the Greenfield Recorder offices. Following renovations to the building, Community Legal Aid finally has a full office in Franklin County. It had operated out of a satellite office on Federal Street for about 30 years, working on 387 cases with more than 1,000 residents just last year, according to Managing Attorney Jennifer Dieringer. The new digs on Hope Street, she said, will serve as an opportunity for Community Legal Aid to expand its offerings to Franklin County residents.
“This is the first time in about three decades that we have a fully staffed and fully opened office. We’ve always served Franklin
County, but now we are really able to expand our services and have a full-time presence here, which is really exciting,” Dieringer said in an interview in her new office. “Historically, folks working out of our Northampton offices served Hampshire and Franklin counties, so what we’re doing now is building out the office here so we’ll basically double our resources for Franklin County.”
The new office is currently home to four attorneys — who specialize in family law, fair housing and disability laws, alongside Dieringer — and a receptionist. In March, the organization will welcome attorneys specializing in employment, elder affairs, general housing and Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)/re-entry.
“We knew we wanted to be in downtown Greenfield. … Being close to the courthouse is super convenient for us and also for folks who are looking for us,” Dieringer said. “And we needed a space big enough to grow, and this really seems like the perfect spot. We love the historic Recorder building. We love the sort of industrial vibe that we have down here, which is pretty great, but really, it was about making ourselves as accessible as possible to the public.”
It also keeps Community Legal Aid close to partners like Community Action Pioneer Valley, which shares an alley with the Recorder building. “For the smaller counties, it’s really important to have a physical presence,
where you feel like you’re part of the community and you’re available and accessible to people,” Dieringer said. “There are so many social service organizations here that we work with constantly and this will just, I think, deepen those relationships in a really beneficial way.”
Community Legal Aid’s office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Folks are asked to access it using the alleyway between the Recorder and Stone Soup Cafe, which is housed inside All Souls Church. For more information about Community Legal Aid’s services, visit its website at communitylegal.org.
(STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
January 3, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
January 8, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
January 8, 2025 (1st Wed is a holiday)
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
January 10, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
January 13, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
January 13, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
February 3, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
February 11, 2025
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
February 13, 2025
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
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Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
February 14, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
February 19, 2025
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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 | |
here Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services | |
Ideas For Managing Holiday Stress | |
Time Sensitive Announcements | |
December 20 Giving Back Together - Community Support Needed | |
December 20 Cookie Decorating! | |
December 20 Queer Family Night Solstice Edition | |
December 21 Greenfield Farmers' Market Winter Market | |
December 21 Stone Soup Cafe Menu | |
December 21 Solstice Party | |
December 21 Winter Spectacle Workshop | |
December 21 Santa Comes to Leyden | |
December 21 Gingerbread Houses | |
December 21 Five Village Santa Tour | |
December 22 Fright Before Christmas | |
December 27 Santa-mental Holiday Party | |
December 31 All-Abilities Social New Year's Eve Painting Party | |
Beginning January 7 - Nurturing Fathers 13-Week Virtual Class | |
January 10 FunHub Action Park Fundraiser to benefit Community Network for Children | |
January 10 - February 28 Beyond Trauma: A Healing Journey | |
January 13 Greenfield Healing Clinic | |
January 28 All-Abilities Social Build a Bird Feeder | |
January 30, February 6 & February 13 Touchpoints Training | |
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MONTHLY WORKSHOP CALENDRS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
December at The Art Garden | |
December at The Brick House Teen Center | |
December at Community Action Family Center | |
December Events at the Erving Senior Center | |
December Programs at Franklin County Reentry Center | |
December Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
December Greenfield Public Library Children's Programs | |
December Montague Public Library Programs | |
December at The RECOVER Project | |
December Riverculture (Montague) Holiday Event Calendar | |
December at Salasin Project | |
December Events at Sunderland Public Library | |
December Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
What's Happening at The NQRC | |
Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at The RECOVER Project | |
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 Breathwork Detox-Guided Group Adventure | |
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 All Recovery Meeting and Drop In Recovery Coach Support | |
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 | |
Tuesday & Thursdays Weekly Reentry Groups | |
Tuesday Men's Anger Management Group
Wednesday Women's Anger Management Group
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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 | |
Last Wednesdays of Every Month Office Hours With An Attorney | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
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 | |
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 | |
Open Positions at the RECOVER Project | |
Re-entry Workforce Program | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing | |
Specialized HVAC Training | |
Specialized Information Technology Training | |
Support & Resources After the HEALing Communities Study
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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 |
Beginning Tuesday, 9.3.24, the Greenfield Court Service Center (CSC)services will be in-person and remote: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-1pm; 2pm-4:30 pm, and Fridays, 8:30-1pm.
For ANY/ALL REMOTE REQUESTS, please contact the Virtual Court Service Center, M-F 9am -2pm, if you do not have an emergency. You can reach them for an intake, Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, by Zoom video or telephone as outlined below:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140 or Dial (646) 828-7666. Enter the Meeting ID number 1615261140 and then press # #.
If you have an emergency, and still need remote services, have the court department reach out directly to Greenfield CSC office by email for assistance at greenfieldcsc@jud.state.ma.us.
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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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