2015-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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As a member of Mashpee Cares,the Department The Human Services Department wishes to helps to connect support and resources from the County acknowledge the continued support shown by the Town in addressing the substance abuse issue on a local level. Manager,the Human Services Committee,and all the Mashpee Cares hopes to educate the public about Town Departments who provide services and support addiction and, at the same time, hopes to reduce the to the Human Services Department. We appreciate the stigma that often times is associated with substance collaboration with the Mashpee Senior Center, abuse. Mashpee Housing Authority and Tara Carline through the Mashpee Police Department. In particular, we As the Town Representative to the Human Rights appreciate the support of the citizens at Town Meeting Commission, the Department contributed to the in recognizing the needs of the Department. As we development of the bullying brochure,describing signs look ahead, the Department will continue to be and symptoms of bullying. This brochure was made proactive in meeting the needs of Mashpee residents. available to the public and distributed to the schools. Collaboration with Town Departments, outside This opened up a discussion about the law around agencies and regional organizations is vital in bullying and instituting supports for the victim. There promoting greater accessibility to resources that will continues to be a need for dialogue about this topic and improve the quality of life for individuals. its far-reaching effects. Respectfully submitted, The Department plays a critical role in advocacy Gail Wilson,M.Ed,LMHC for residents. This may be in domestic violence Human Services Director situations by working closely with Independence House and South Bay Mental Health. This may be helping individuals with disabilities who cannot afford t i it t rl heat or their rent and do not have a support system. amThe Department also works closely with St.Vincent de , Paul,the Needy Fund and the Falmouth Service Center to help individuals who are facing difficult financial situations. St. Vincent de Paul helped 11,301 individuals through their food pantry or needy cases and the Falmouth Service Center provided help with l ` food for 825 Mashpee families. A new initiative the Department created in 2015 was a Holiday Task Force, Z a which sponsored the first "Giving Trees" Program to , assist needy families with help during the holidays. I L ] The Department is also an outreach site for Fuel Assistance applications as the need was great due to the cold winter. f Another new initiative is Mental Health Consultation at the Senior Center. On the second Wednesday of each month, I will be at the Senior Center to meet individually with residents concerning mental health issues and resources. The relocation of the Human Services Department to Town Hall in September,2015,brought a greater visibility within the Town and facilitated collaboration with other Town Departments. The move has made the Department more accessible to residents. It is now more convenient for residents to stop in to pick up resource information and/or make an appointment to discuss specific needs. 110