Opioid Task Force

CAM Workgroup Meeting
2022-02-08 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
This meeting is open to the public. Please email info@opioidtaskforce.org for the details on how to participate.

Public Safety & Justice Committee Meeting
2022-02-07 13:00 - 14:30

Treatment & Recovery Committee Meeting
2022-02-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-01-07 10:00 - 11:30

Intro to Mind/Body Medicine
2022-02-03 14:00 - 15:00
Join us as the CAM Education Series continues in 2022 on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 2 PM – 3 PM, for an “Introduction to Mind/Body Medicine” with Cheryl Pascucci, RN, MS, FNP-BC, CHC, CCAP, and Program Director of Population Health & Integration, Baystate Franklin Medical Center. One can register here.
Cheryl is a Registered Nurse, Master’s of Science, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Hypnosis Consultant, Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner, Benson-Henry Institute of Mind-Body Medicine — SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training) Facilitator).
Are you feeling stuck in an endless loop? not yourself or disconnected? or feel like something’s broken?
You are not alone my friend.
Did you know that 60-80% of all visits to Primary Care Providers are for stress-related conditions?
We usually think of stress as negatively impacting our lives. Something we need to fix.
What if you learned that there is nothing more natural than stress? That stress is the reason we’ve evolved to be the human beings we are today. That stress is predictable. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end and we can feel more balanced if we are taught to notice and manage these stages all day long. The first step in taking care of ourselves and finding balance starts with noticing that our bodies are constantly sending us signals that something is either good for us or that something needs to change. If we’re spinning, feeling stuck, or disconnected — something needs to change. But what?!?
During this hour together, an Introduction to Mind-Body Medicine will help explain why certain strategies designed to help us feel better, work better for some and not others. We are all unique! Does meditation make you more anxious? Do you want to know why? We will use some simple tests designed to help figure out what strategies might work best for you and why. During this time together, you can start designing a plan for what next step could help head you in the direction towards feeling better.
Do join us!

Harm Reduction Workgroup Meeting
2022-02-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-01-05 11:00 - 12:00

Virtual Narcan Training
2022-01-28 14:00 - 15:30
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?
*This event is not open to the press/media.
Register HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudeGrqTkiGtMXNiyQ5nV1afvVLNo2JZ2I?fbclid=IwAR3HxDm7V8pjtQIdRQFIU1jnPp5iJGfh9001RU4kBjkV3wlwwVc6x6sbWKk

Franklin County and the North Quabbin HEALing Communities Study Kickoff!
2022-01-28 10:00 - 12:00
Please join us for the kick-off of the HEALing Communities Study in our rural region as part of the Opioid Task Force’s Healthcare Solutions Committee meeting, co-chaired by Dr. Ruth Potee and Dr. Kinan Hrieb, on Friday, January 28, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 Noon, via Zoom. If you are able to attend, please RSVP, here. You can find the Zoom link, here. Help us spread the word! A poster has been attached as PDF and image files.

Massachusetts is one of four states, along with Ohio, Kentucky, and New York, nationally selected to participate in this pioneering effort to reduce opioid-related fatalities by 40% during the study period. Athol, Greenfield, Montague, and Orange comprise one of Massachusetts’ sixteen sites participating in the study. The other Massachusetts communities involved in this effort include Holyoke, Pittsfield, North Adams, Springfield, Belchertown/Ware, Lawrence, Lowell, Shirley/Townsend, Gloucester, Salem, Brockton, Weymouth, Berkley/Dighton/Freetown, Plymouth, and Bourne/Sandwich. (See map below.)

The Massachusetts HEALing Communities Study is managed by the Boston Medical Center and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region (Opioid Task Force) will be working with them to implement the identified strategies for this life-saving effort for our rural area. We are fortunate to have Jerry Lund, a member of the Opioid Task Force as our representative on the HEALing Communities Study Community Advisory Board (CAB). Previously, we were also fortunate to have Peggy Vezina act in this capacity.

The goals of this first meeting in Phase 0 are to meet community partners, provide an overview of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) and the Communities That HEAL (CTH) Intervention, introduce logistics of the HCS, introduce some of the Boston Medical Center’s HCS team and key points of contact, and answer questions.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us at info@opioidtaskforce.org.
We hope you can join us to contribute your knowledge and expertise related to combatting the opioid crisis in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region!

Healthcare Solutions Committee Meeting
2022-01-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-11-12 10:00 - 12:00

What's New with RAFT and ERAP? 2022 Updates and Changes in the Emergency Housing Programs
2022-01-27 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 2 PM – 3 PM, as we learn more about the changes in the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Programs as of January 1, 2022. One can register for this event, here.
Featuring Amanda Watson, the Director of Housing Consumer Education Center for the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority.
Per the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, “…the RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses, or both. Funding can be used for a variety of needs, including rent or mortgage arrears, security deposits, or other expenses to help households obtain or maintain stable housing. Households with incomes up to 50% of Area Median Income (AMI)*, or 60% of AMI for people who are at risk of homelessness because of domestic violence, are eligible for assistance.”
“The …Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) leverages new federal funding for eligible low-income tenants who are in need of financial assistance. “

Methadone Workgroup Meeting
2022-01-13 15:00 - 16:00

What is the Winter Safety Net for Unhoused Individuals in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region?
2022-01-13 14:00 - 15:00
Join us next Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 2 PM – 3 PM, for “What is the Winter Safety Net for Unhoused Individuals in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region?”
This session will examine available emergency resources for unhoused individuals, advocacy opportunities, the upcoming Point-In-Time Count, and more!
This event is sponsored by the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County’s Housing & Workforce Development Committee and the North Quabbin Community Coalition’s Housing Task Force.
You can register for this free, virtual event here.

Education & Prevention Committee Meeting
2022-01-11 09:30 - 11:00

Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation Workgroup Meeting
2022-01-10 13:00 - 14:30

Self-care and the Holidays: Evergreen Tree Medicine for the Soul and Body
2021-12-16 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 2 PM – 3 PM as Leslie Chaison of the People’s Medicine Project and Kate Pousont Scarborough of Shelburne Falls Yoga present on “Self-care and the Holidays: Evergreen Tree Medicine for the Soul and Body”.

This session will offer a grounding movement/ meditation/ breathing activity incorporating the theme of trees with Kate followed by Leslie offering demonstrations and making suggestions about how to bring a relationship with trees for healing into one’s life in a more practical sense– the aromatic qualities and nourishment focusing on self-care.

We look forward to this uplifting session in the midst of a hectic holiday session and grueling year.

Register HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpd-mupj8qGNMh6YV2mldyjiJ7xAp2wArn?fbclid=IwAR0FyTeTGNxdzxMs507GKobeXqzeWaAqxTUOUY6vBuc74PxSwIeIjUdrgCo

Virtual Narcan Training
2021-12-13 18:00 - 19:30
Please join Tapestry and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region on Monday, December 13, 2021, 6 PM – 7:30 PM, for our next Virtual Narcan Training.

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?”

Please register here. We look forward to seeing you on December 13, 2021!

Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Workgroup
2021-12-13 13:00 - 14:30
Please join us, via Zoom, as we work to address the complex issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in our rural region.
This workgroup is co-facilitated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
If you are interested in participating in this workgroup, please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org to get the details to join.

4th Annual Sober Housing Summit: The Ties That Bind - What is the Safety Net for Unhoused Individuals with a History of Substance Misuse?
2021-12-10 10:00 - 12:00
Join us on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 10 AM – 12 Noon for the Opioid Task Force’s 4th Annual Sober Housing Summit, “The Ties That Bind – What is the Safety Net for Unhoused Individuals with a History of Substance Misuse?”

This year’s event will kick off with an esteemed panel featuring:

Individuals with lived experience
Joe Finn, President & Executive Director, Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance
Pamela Schwartz, Director, Western MA Network to End Homelessness
Brooke Murphy, Homelessness Services & Billing Manager, The Three County Continuum of Care, Community Action Pioneer Valley
Sonia Cruz, Housing Navigator, Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority

After the panel presentation, small working groups will focus on the available resources and actions to address the needs of unhoused individuals impacted by substance misuse in our rural region.
Register here.

We look forward to your participation!

Methadone Workgroup
2021-12-09 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-11-18 15:00 - 16:00
Please email info@opioidtaskforce.org for the details on how to participate.

Public Safety and Justice Committee Meeting
2021-12-06 13:00 - 13:30
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org for the details to participate.

Treatment and Recovery Committee Meeting
2021-12-03 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-11-05 10:00 - 11:30

Honoring Youth Voices: A Franklin County/North Quabbin YAEC Showcare
2021-12-02 14:00 - 15:00
Join us as we hear from the Franklin County/North Quabbin grantees about the successful work they did with funding from the Young Adult Empowerment of Western Massachusetts (YAEC)! YAEC was a three-year federally funded effort to support opioid-impacted young adults as they moved through the five stages of adulthood, which closed out on September 30, 2021.

The following speakers and programs will be featured:

PEER Ambassador Program (Communities That Care Coalition), with Keyedra Jacobs, Community Engagement & Program Associate, Kat Allen, Coordinator, CTC, with other PEER Ambassadors
Youth Ending Stigma (Community Action Pioneer Valley/Tapestry), with Micah Katz-Seiger, Leadership Development Specialist, and Jena Duncan, Leadership & Collaborations Coordinator, Youth & Workforce Development Programs
Ice House Entrepreneur Program, (Greenfield Community College), with Max Fripp, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Recovery Theatre (Hilltown Youth Performing Arts) with Jonathan Diamond, Executive Director and Youth Performing Artists
North Quabbin Youth Advisory Council (North Quabbin Community Coalition) with Sarah Collins, Drug-Free Communities Coordinator

Taylor McAndrew, the outgoing site coordinator for the YAEC Initiative will be facilitating this lively session.

Register, here.

We hope you can join us!

Virtual: Narcan Training
2021-11-19 14:00 - 15:30
Please join Tapestry and the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region on November 19, 2021, from 2 PM – 3:30 PM, for our next Virtual Narcan Training.

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?”

Please register HERE. We look forward to seeing you on November 19, 2021.

RecoveryWorks: Creating Employment & Career Opportunities for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
2021-11-18 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 2 PM – 3 PM, as we learn more about an exciting initiative called RecoveryWorks featuring Dr. Estee Sharon, Founder, and Director. She will also be joined by Joseph LaFratta, Head of Mentors & Program Outreach, and Melody Lovell, Program Manager. You can register for this free event, here.
RecoveryWorks (RW) is a multidisciplinary program at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School that helps individuals with substance use disorders enter, re-enter, or shift career paths in the workforce. RW provides individualized vocational advice and coaching from creating/updating resumes to crafting narratives about gaps in work history to liaising with employers. RW meets participants where they are in their employment journey, whether currently employed, unemployed, or looking to fine-tune their skills to apply for jobs in the years to come. Participants also get one-on-one meetings with RW mentors, educational career-related and skill-based group meetings, career-focused workshops, and assistance with legal issues as needed. Participants will have access to these supportive services for five years. RW empowers people with substance use disorders to achieve stability, enhance their sense of self-worth and support their long-term sobriety. RW also focuses on education and outreach to employers to reduce stigma and increase understanding and awareness around issues related to the employment of those in recovery.
They are looking to create a rural cohort for their program. This session will provide additional information on how referrals can be made for interested participants.
For more information about RW, click here

Education and Prevention Committee Meeting
2021-11-09 09:30 - 11:00
This meeting is open to the public. Please email Dottie Arnold at dottie@opioidtaskforce.org for the details to participate

Virtual: Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Workgroup
2021-11-08 13:00 - 14:30
