Peggy Vezina has been hired as the Opioid Task Force Community Resource Coordinator. Peggy happily returned to Franklin County 2 ½ years ago after living in Hampden County where she worked at Girls Inc. of Holyoke and the Gandara Center. Peggy has more than 25 years of experience in human services, primarily in youth development, prevention and substance use disorder prevention and recovery. She has led and participated in numerous coalitions and community collaboration is her passion. She lives in Montague with her wife, Jackie. They enjoy their first grandchild, Jack at every opportunity.

As the Community Resource Coordinator, Peggy will design and implement a sequential intercept zero mapping project. At intercept zero, the mapping exercise aims to identify potential opportunities for prevention and advocacy to provide persons in need of services the support and referral they need to successfully make the next step in their path to treatment, recovery, and increased well-being. Welcome to the team, Peggy! 
 

Peggy can be reached at peggy@opioidtaskforce.org or (413) 362-9057. 

Tapestry is hiring program managers to oversee two new  syringe access programs. One position will be based in North Adams, and the other position will be based in Greenfield/Northampton. 

Under the direction of the Director of HIV Health and Prevention, the Syringe Access Program Manager will be responsible for planning, evaluating and supervising harm reduction services and medical case management of the Syringe Access Programs in Northampton and Greenfield. Primary duties will include: supervising, training and evaluating direct care workers and activities; coordinating all data gathering activities related to grants and contracts; monitoring contract requirements and assuring compliance with all performance standards. 
 

For details and complete job postings, click here. 

 

Hospice of Franklin County is offering a new bereavement group for those who have lost a loved one due to substance use disorder.  This will be a six week group running on Thursday evenings, from October 27 – December 8, 2016.

When? Thursday evenings from October 27 - December 8 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Where? Center for Human Development,
489 Bernardston Road, Greenfield

Pre-registration is reguired. For more information or to register, please contact Morgan Ban-Droi, LMHC, at (413) 774-2400.

Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer. 

On Friday, November 18, from 8:30 am - 4:15 pm, the Western Massachusetts Substance Abuse Providers’ Association and Westfield State University are hosting a full-day training about secondary trauma and supporting those on the front line of an opioid overdose epidemic:  

"Participants in this training will explore the impact of the recent opioid crisis on substance use disorder treatment professionals and others on the front line of the crisis.  Participants will be given the opportunity to share how the crisis has affected them and how they have coped.  Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying helpful coping strategies using group discussion and case reviews."

Click here for training and registration details. 

  

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), AdCare Educational Institute, Inc. and Boston Medical Center are hosting a full-day training about the child welfare lens and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Topics of discussion will include:

• Substance use disorders and child welfare 
• Mandated reporter 51-A training
• Case presentations
• Protective factors

For event details and registration, please click here. 

The People's Medicine Project is a small group of alternative health practitioners, gardeners, social justice advocates, and community members who believe that all people have a right to wellness and an empowered connection to their health. 

Services offered (at no cost) by the People's Medicine Project include:

 

These services are helpful methods for treating anxiety, trauma, and pain.To make an appointment with the People's Medicine Project, please call (413) 842-4762 or email peoplesmedicineclinic@gmail.com.

Step Up to Stand Back is a 10 week group that will focus on:

When? Saturdays from 10:30 - 11:30 am, starting November 5th

Where? 81 Plantation Street Worcester, MA
 

Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer. 

For more information, please contact Kristin Birch, MA Director of Substance Use Services at (508) 849-5600 x408.

See-Saw is a 10-week group for children (ages 7-11) of adult substance users who are in, or currently working toward, recovery. See-Saw will focus on:

When? Saturdays from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, starting November 5th

Where? 81 Plantation Street Worcester, MA

For more information, please contact Kristin Birch, MA Director of Substance Use Services at (508) 849-5600 x408.

"My name is Greg McNeil. Last October I lost my son, Sam, to a heroin overdose."
 

Cover2 Resources exists to help opioid users and their loved ones find help.  Cover2 offers:

Click here to visit the Cover2 website.