VIRTUAL: Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Workgroup
2020-08-10 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-09-14 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Join members of the Franklin County and North Quabbin Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Workgroup as we work to address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Want to join? Email dottie@opioidtaskforce.org for the Zoom call details!

Jointly facilitated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.

VIRTUAL: Narcan Training
2020-08-13 18:30 - 19:30, 2020-09-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Please join us at an upcoming community overdose prevention training to learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Participants will also learn how to administer Narcan, a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug.

Participants will learn the answers to these questions:
-What is an opioid overdose?
-How do you recognize and respond to an opioid overdose?
-How do you administer Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose?

The event is open to the public. Want to join the Zoom call? Please email maile@opioidtaskforce.org!

VIRTUAL: Housing & Workforce Development Committee Meeting
2020-08-14 10:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org for details on how to participate.

VIRTUAL: COVID-19, SUD/OUD & Pregnant and Parenting Individuals in Our Rural Area
2020-08-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Join us as we learn more about the impact of COVID-19 upon pregnant and parenting individuals also affected by opioid use disorders in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
Featuring:
*Ruth Jacobson-Hardy, Western Massachusetts Regional Manager, MA Department of Public Health
*Dr. Julie Thompson, OBGYN, Pioneer Women’s Health and Co-Chair of the Opioid Task Force’s Healthcare Solutions Committee
*Linda Jablonski, Assistant Nurse Manager, The Birthplace and Coordinator, EMPOWER/Moms Do Care Program, Baystate Franklin Medical Center
*Dr. Mary Paterno, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Pioneer Women’s Health; Midwifery Director, EMPOWER/Moms Do Care Program, Baystate Franklin Medical Center​
*Jamie Parnell, Clinical Case Manager, EMPOWER/Moms Do Care Program, Baystate Franklin Medical Center/Center for Human Development
*Josefa Scherer, MPH, Peer Mentor Doula, EMPOWER/Moms Do Care Program, Baystate Franklin Medical Center
*Clarice Rivera, Recovery Coach for Mom’s Do Care EMPOWER Program, Center for Human Development
When: Thursday, August 20, 2020
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM
Where: Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqduqsqDMqGdWxD82a38CKwk1XgpG8SNh7
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

CANCELED: Harm Reduction Workgroup Meeting
2020-09-02 11:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
This meeting was canceled. Please email maile@opioidtaskforce.org for the details on how to participate in future meetings.

VIRTUAL: Education and Prevention Committee Meeting
2020-09-08 09:30 - 11:00 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public but will be held by Zoom. Please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org for the details to participate.

VIRTUAL: Introduction to MassSupport and Suicide Prevention Resources
2020-09-10 14:00 - 15:00
Please join us on Thursday, September 10 at 2:00 PM for our next COVID-19 topical call, ‘Introduction to MassSupport and Suicide Prevention Resources‘, featuring a presentation by Jen Matoney from MassSupport Network.
National Suicide Prevention Week runs from September 6 to September 12, 2020, and many are concerned about rising reports of anxiety and depression.
MassSupport Network provides free community outreach and support services to residents of all ages in response to the unprecedented public health crisis, COVID-19. This Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and managed in partnership between the MA Department of Mental Health and Riverside Trauma Center, a program of Riverside Community Care.
Jen Matoney is a crisis outreach counselor for MassSupport Network and treasurer of the Pioneer Valley Coalition for Suicide Prevention. She is also a board member, trainer, and field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Massachusetts chapter.
Register here.
Questions? Email Maile Shoul, Program Manager, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region at maile@opioidtaskforce.org.

VIRTUAL: Treatment & Recovery Committee Meeting
2020-09-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Greenfield Community College Downtown Campus, 270 Main Street, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Maile Shoul at maile@opioidtaskforce.org for the details on how to participate.

VIRTUAL: Celebrating Recovery through Music
2020-09-24 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Thursday, September 24, at 2 PM for a very special program as part of National Recovery Month – “Celebrating Recovery through Music”. More details to follow!
Register here.
Questions? Email Maile Shoul, Program Manager, Opioid Task Force at maile@opioidtaskforce.org.

VIRTUAL: Healthcare Solutions Committee Meeting
2020-09-25 10:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public but will be held by Zoom. Please email Maile Shoul at maile@opioidtaskforce.org for details on how to participate.

Treatment & Recovery Committee Meeting
2020-10-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Greenfield Community College Downtown Campus, 270 Main Street, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Maile Shoul at maile@opioidtaskforce.org or call (413) 775-7474 if you would like to join.

Public Safety & Justice Committee Meeting
2020-10-05 13:00 - 14:30 | MA, United States

Harm Reduction Workgroup Meeting
2020-10-07 11:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email maile@opioidtaskforce.org for the details on how to participate.

Virtual: Narcan Training
2020-10-14 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Meeting

Parent Engagement during COVID-19
2020-10-15 14:00 - 15:00
Please join OTF on Thursday, October 15, 2 PM – 3 PM, as our COVID-19 Series continues where we will be learning more about Parent Engagement during COVID-19 featuring information about the newly created PEER Ambassador Program being coordinated by Keyedrya Jacobs, Community Engagement, and Programs Associate for the Communities That Care Coalition.

The PEER Ambassador Program was developed by the multi-agency Parent Education Workgroup of the Communities That Care Coalition in response to the need to better utilize existing resources for parents and families in the region – especially evidence-based substance use prevention resources such as Guiding Good Choices, Nurturing Families, Nurturing Fathers, Parenting Journey, SAMHSA’s Talk They Hear You App and workshops, presentations, and groups for parents and families. Each family-serving agency would recruit several Parent Leaders from among their participant pool. These stipended Parent Leaders would receive training on the resources available to parents and families and would provide outreach at school and community events, or via phone, Zoom, or other virtual platforms, helping parents access effective tools for preventing youth substance use and helping to make full use of the resources that already exist.

Register in advance for this meeting using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpduysqz4oHNOkc6U6lvIakNjrUZIp9rSR

(After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)

VIRTUAL: Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation Workgroup Meeting
2020-10-19 13:00 - 14:30
Please join us for the October meeting of the Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation Workgroup to be scheduled for Monday, October 19, 1 PM – 2:30 PM. Want to join? Please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org.
This group is co-facilitated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.

Housing & Workforce Development Committee Meeting
2020-10-23 10:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
Join OTF’s Housing & Workforce Development Committee members this Friday, October 23, 10 AM – 12 Noon, via Zoom, for a crucial conversation about housing and homelessness issues, especially for individuals in recovery and/or with a history of incarceration. This concern has become direr now that the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium was lifted on October 17.
Please register for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sd-CgqzwtH9a_8QWlvL-nncSiG5ZHnfT_
We have an all-star line-up of speakers to discuss this complex topic. As of today, they are:

Pamela Schwartz, Executive Director, Western MA Network to End Homelessness
Jay Sacchetti, Senior Vice President, Shelter/Housing, Addiction, Vocational Services, and Rose Facto, Manager, Wells St. Shelter, ServiceNet
MJ Adams, Community & Economic Development Director, City of Greenfield
Kim Scammon, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, Greenfield Housing Authority
Amanda Watson, HCEC Director, Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Sophie Maki, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
Heather Bialecki-Canning, Executive Director, North Quabbin Community Coalition
Jennifer Dieringer, Managing Attorney, and Alyssa Golden, Staff Attorney, Community Legal Aid
Jennifer LaRoche, Vice President, Acute and Day Programs, Clinical & Support Options

We will also be hearing updates about available employment and training opportunities from:

Dr. Chet Jordan, Dean of Social Sciences & Professional Studies, Judy Raper, Associate Dean of Community Engagement, and Kristin Cole, Interim Associate Director of Workforce Development and Community Education, Greenfield Community College
Dr. Rebecca Bialecki, Executive Director, MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board

Questions? Reach out to Deb McLaughlin at debmc@opioidtaskforce.org for further information.

Youth Voices during COVID-19
2020-10-29 14:00
Please join OTF on Thursday, October 29, 2 PM – 3 PM, as our COVID-19 Series continues where we will be learning more about Youth Voices during COVID-19 featuring youth and young adults from the Hilltown Recovery Theatre.

The Hilltown Recovery Theatre is a strength-based, holistic model creating change for area youth through theatre and the arts. It began with a pre-workshop, five-day Recovery Intensive for ten young people overcoming addiction, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Their goal is for participants and graduates to become advocates who continue utilizing the arts for their own growth and healing.

To register for the event, click the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtfu-hrzkrHdMoU9yMFh3vP1wndmS6OR4_

Treatment & Recovery Committee Meeting
2020-11-06 10:00 - 11:30 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Maile Shoul at maile@opioidtaskforce.org for details on how to participate.

VIRTUAL: Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Workgroup
2020-11-09 13:00 - 14:30

Education and Prevention Committee Meeting
2020-11-10 09:30 - 11:00 | MA, United States

Healthcare Solutions Committee Meeting
2020-11-13 10:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States

COVID-19 and Housing: Status of Evictions in Franklin County/North Quabbin and Available Legal Resources
2020-11-19 14:00 - 15:00
Join us as OTF’s COVID-19 Zoom Call Series continues in November.

This call will focus on the status of evictions in our rural region since the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium was lifted and review the available legal services to help those at risk of losing their housing.

Featuring:

Christopher J. Donelan, Franklin County Sheriff and Co-Chair of the Opioid Task Force
Jennifer Dieringer, Managing Attorney, Community Legal Aid
Mary Klaes, Greenfield Court Service Center Manager, Franklin County Justice Center

Register here!

Harm Reduction Workgroup Meeting
2020-12-02 11:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
This meeting is open to the public. Please email maile@opioidtaskforce.org for details on how to participate.

Treatment & Recovery Committee Meeting
2020-12-04 10:00 - 11:30
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Maile Shoul at maile@opioidtaskforce.org for details on how to participate, via Zoom.

Public Safety & Justice Committee Meeting
2020-12-07 13:00 - 14:30 | MA, United States

3rd Annual Sober Housing Summit: Saving Lives Through Housing
2020-12-11 10:00 - 12:00 | MA, United States
Please join us for the 3rd Annual Sober Housing Summit: Saving Lives Through Housing to be held virtually on Friday, December 11, 2020, 10 AM – 12 Noon! Be part of the continued community conversation about the importance of expanding sober housing in our rural region.
Sponsored by the Opioid Task Force’s Housing & Workforce Development Committee, this annual gathering examines the barriers and identifies opportunities to expand the supply of sober housing in our rural area.

Opioid Task Force Co-Chairs, Sheriff Christopher J. Donelan, and Register John F. Merrigan will be featured.

Additional guest speakers include:

Rhianna Kendrick, Director of Operations, Groundworks Collaborative, Brattleboro, VT
Elizabeth Bridgewater, Executive Director, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, Brattleboro, VT
Gina Govoni, Executive Director, Franklin Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Turners Falls, MA
Tom Guerino, Executive Director, Greenfield Housing Authority
MJ Adams, Director of Community and Economic Development, City of Greenfield, Greenfield, MA
Heather Bialecki-Canning, Executive Director, North Quabbin Community Coalition

Register in advance for this meeting here.

We look forward to seeing you there!
