spotlight

PRIDE Month

From the Library of Congress: “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as ‘Gay Pride Day,’ but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the ‘day’ soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Kick off Pride Month locally with a family friendly pride event to benefit the Cape and Islands Trans Resource Fund on June 4, 2022 at First Parish UU Church Brewster.

Barnstable County Human Services Welcomes Stacie Holmes as the Department's Administrative Assistant!

Holmes joins the Department with nine years’ experience in office management, fourteen years’ experience with the United States Army as a preventive dental specialist, platoon sergeant and dental refresher instructor. She also has five years’ experience teaching with the Community School at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School as a dental assistant instructor. She holds an Associate’s in Arts degree and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science degree from American Military University. 

“We are excited to welcome Stacie to the Department of Human Services team,” said Director of Human Services Joseph Pacheco. “Stacie comes to us with diverse experiences in both administrative management and public service and will serve as a great resource for the County.”

local

The Art Project Hope Reception - June 3, 3-5 PM

The Art Project Hope is a program that consists of high school art students throughout cape cod who adopt a blank canvas and create their collective vision of hope.  Child & Family Services will display their work and in doing so will maintain “the hallway of hope” which sets the tone for mental health support.

We are extremely happy to announce we have 6 high schools participating in Art Project Hope this year: Nauset, Monomoy, Sandwich, Mashpee, Falmouth, and Bourne.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Jeanne Bissonnette

at 774-487-3085 or jbissonnette@cfservices.org

The Town of Bourne, acting through the Human Services Department, seeks proposals from interested public or private, state and federally recognized non-profit organizations, agencies, or partnerships to provide projects, programs and services that address unmet human service needs in the community. 

To receive an application please call 508-759-0600 Ext. 5226 or email doliviere@townofbourne.com.

All Applications should be mailed to:

Human Services Committee– BVMCC

239 Main Street

Bourne, MA 02532

Applications must be received no later than July 22, 2022.

Save the Date - Community Health Network Area 27 (CHNA 27)

NEXT MEETING: June 9, 2022 from 9:00-10:30 AM

TOPIC: Pride Month

ZOOM MEETING: email us at chna27cape@gmail.com for the zoom link and to sign up for our newsletter. We are looking for new steering committee members - please contact us for more info.

Website: https://www.ma-chna27.org/

older adults

Need help with prescription drug costs? 

Prescription Advantage may be your answer!

By now, some of you may have reached or are getting close to the gap or “donut hole” with your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). In 2022, you fall into the Medicare Part D gap when the negotiated retail cost of your medications reaches $4,430. Once in the gap you are now responsible for 25% of the negotiated retail cost for brand name medications and 25% for generics. Prescription Advantage, which is a state-run program, can assist you in this gap and/or put a cap on your out-of-pocket cost for medications.

Dedicated SHINE volunteers benefit from annual training and peer connections.

Staying Safe in Extreme Heat

A large part of the United States has been, or will soon be, experiencing extreme heat conditions (high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for several days). The body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature in extreme heat, and heat-related distress can occur quickly and without warning.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for all, but especially for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Take steps to prepare and stay safe using these tips from Ready.gov:

• Find air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Wear light clothing.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

Check out the Extreme Heat Safety Social Media Toolkit and other resources  from Ready.gov, the CDC, and the National Institutes of Health.

employment

Town of Falmouth Senior Center Seeks Volunteer Coordinator 

The Town of Falmouth Senior Center has an immediate opening for a part time 19.5 hours a week Volunteer Coordinator. Duties include, overall supervision to all aspects of the Volunteer Program, including but not limited to volunteer needs assessment, recruiting, training, communication, scheduling and on-going support, problem solving and public relations to all volunteers and participants.

Start Your New Career at Cape Abilities! 

Welcome to Cape Abilities Jobs, your number one resource for all available employment openings at Cape Abilities! 

Like us on Facebook to stay on top of all our current job openings and visit www.CapeAbilities.org/jobs for a complete listing of all career opportunities currently available.

training

suicide to HOPE Training - June 21, 10AM-4PM

Help people find hope. One-day workshop for clinicians and other helping professionals. Provides tools to support people with suicide experience who are currently safe. Focuses on helping people recover, grow, and improve their quality of life. 90% of attendees reported increased hope of success in working with those who have lived experience of suicide.

Adult Mental Health First Aid - June 30, 10AM-4:30PM

Participants are required to complete a 2 hour self-paced workshop online before attending the 6 hour virtual training via Zoom. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults

Email prevention@suicideispreventable.net to register by June 23^rd, 2022. This virtual training is offered to you free of charge courtesy of the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition.

volunteer opportunity

Answer the Call! 988 Lifeline Suicide & Crisis Network Jobs 

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) will transition to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988). This represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.

In advance of the 988 transition in July, the Lifeline Suicide & Crisis Network is looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees to answer calls, chats, and texts from people in crisis. All employees and volunteers receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today.

Find YOUR opportunity: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/jobs

Read more about 988 at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

food resources

Stretching the Food Dollar with SNAP & HIP in Barnstable County

Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Encourages SNAP Recipients to Take Advantage of Benefits in this promotional video. Now when SNAP recipients purchase from a Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) approved local farm vendor, $40, $60 or $80 per month is returned to their SNAP balance. 

Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated monthly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.

covid notices | resources

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 and adults of every age.

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 resources button 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.

service directory opportunity

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

newsletter sign-up & submit

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Submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form. Attachments must be in .PDF FORMAT ONLY please. Posting of articles submitted for this publication is at the discretion of the Department.