2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report of the Humans Services Department To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Mashpee The year 2009 was a very busy one for the Human Services Department. The severe economic hardship with loss of jobs and a plunging stock market left people who didn't need services in the past looking for financial help. This financial burden has led to increased depression, substance abuse and domestic violence. In the month of October, 2009, there was a significant increase in the amount of cases of domestic violence in the town of Mashpee. Requests for Financial Assistance were very high this year, with an average of eight to ten calls per day looking for financial assistance. Many people were referred to the Needy Fund, St. Vincent DePaul and the local food pantries. The Fuel Assistance Program assisting with applications to South Shore Community Action was very busy with a lot of people applying for fuel assistance for the first time. Appointments were scheduled on an individual basis and volunteers helped residents fill out the applications. As a result, the Department was able to assist many individuals under the age of 60 with their fuel bills. The demand for counseling continued to be high with an increase in the amount of men calling for counseling suffering from depression and/or substance abuse. Residents who are seen for counseling are uninsured, underinsured or are referred due to special circumstances from the school; council on aging or the Mashpee police. There was continued collaboration with other Departments such as the Schools; Police Department; Senior Center and the Board of Health to address the needs of Mashpee residents. During the holiday season the Department worked in collaboration with other charitable organization to provide available resources to needy families in town. There was ongoing participation in a number of community and local initiatives through: The Suicide Prevention Coalition for the Cape and the Islands; Violence Prevention Team at Mashpee High School; the Barnstable County Health and Human Services Advisory Council; Mashpee Human Service Council and the No Place for Hate committee. Mashpee Human Services was voted to be a member on the Steering Committee of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Cape and the Islands. Their mission is to increase suicide awareness and prevention across the age span. The focus is bringing specialized training to Mashpee to educate individuals in the community. Mashpee Human Services has initiated a Hoarding Task Force within the community. In working with various Departments within the town, the goal of this pilot program is to develop a protocol within the town for responding to cases of Hoarding and working with residents to develop a favorable outcome. The Department continues to oversee the 17 contracts between the Town of Mashpee and the human service agencies providing a variety of services to Mashpee residents. The Department continues its involvement in Human Rights activities as a member of the Town Representation Council to the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission. 136