The Garlick Press – Monday, May 24, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to bring attention to the mental health of individuals with disabilities. Adults living with disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost 5 times as often as adults without disabilities. Improving the delivery of mental health screening, care, and services would support these individuals in better accessing care.

As a legislator, nurse, and mother of an adult with developmental disabilities, I care deeply for the residents of the Commonwealth with disabilities and have worked to support and advocate for the needs of these individuals and their families. I am continuing my work as a Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. This commission will work to advance the cause of all persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth.

If you or a loved one are seeking mental health service, please see below resources for you and your family:

Town of Needham Resource List: https://www.needhamma.gov/4369/Mental-Health-Services

Medfield Cares about Prevention: https://medfieldcares.org/wp/

Dover-Sherborn Mental Health Resources list: https://www.doversherborn.org/page.cfm?p=1231

MA Department of Mental Health: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health

Yours in Service,

Denise

• In Needham, the Town of Needham will re-open Town buildings to the public on June 1, 2021 without appointments and will follow the state’s guidelines in lifting COVID-19 restriction, including face covering requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. The Center at the Heights will remained closed at this time and is expected to re-open this summer. For more information, click here.
• In Needham, the Town is offering emergency rental assistance to those affected by income loss due to COVID-19. Qualified residents may receive assistance covering 50 percent of their rent for up to six months, if funds remain available. For more information, click here.
• In Dover, MassDEP is offering private well owners an opportunity to receive free testing for PFAS compounds. To apply for free sampling, click here. For more information about the program, click here.
• In Medfield, there will be a rolling rally for the Medfield High School Class of 2021 on Saturday, June 5 at 1:00 PM. If you are interested in volunteering, there are opportunities for decorating, setting up, breaking down, and chaperoning. For more information, click here.

• In Needham,
  • there will be a community observance of George Floyd’s Murder on Tuesday, May 25 at 5:30 PM at the Needham Town Hall Steps and Common. Posters and signs are encouraged and this is a family-friendly event. For more information, click here.
  • the Select Board is meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes an update from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture and a discussion on the expiration of the State of Emergency. For the meeting information, click here.
• In Dover,
  • the Capital Budget Committee is meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes presentation and review capital request for Caryl Community Center. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Board of Selectmen is meeting on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes Dover’s Fiscal Year 2021 in Review Presentation. For the meeting information, click here.
• In Medfield,
  • the Board of Selectmen is meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes discussion on Annual Town Meeting and COVID-19 updates. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Permanent Planning and Building Committee and the Dale Street School Building Committee are meeting on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes recommendation to award contract for the Water Treatment Plant Project and discussion on the Dale Street School project schedule. For more information, click here.

• The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking lifeguards for the summer season at DCR-managed inland and coastal waterfronts in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, must complete lifeguard training, and must be certified in first aid and CPR. For more information on the position, click here.
• The federal partnership at the Hynes Convention Center Vaccination Site has concluded. The Hynes vaccination site will continue to operate into June and anyone who has received a first vaccine dose will be able to receive their second dose at Hynes before the site closes. For more information, click here.
• The Department of Unemployment Assistance has further extended their Q1 contributions deadline for private contributory employers to Monday, August 2, 2021. Q1 contributions will now be due on the same date at Q2 Quarterly Employment and Wage Detail filings and contributions.

• Massachusetts will reopen in full on May 29, 2021. For information on the Massachusetts Reopening Plan, click here.
• Effective May 29, all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Massachusetts will be lifted, including the face covering order. Consistent with CDC guidelines, face coverings will be mandatory for individuals on public and private transportation, in healthcare facilities, and indoors at school for K-12 and early education providers. Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks. For more information, click here.

• If you are in need of resources, information, or support, please visit my website for a list of resources. Additionally, our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:

• Needham Health Department Updates
• Medfield Updates
• Dover Updates
• Department of Public Health: Click here or Call 2-1-1.
• Reopening Massachusetts
• COVID-19 Travel Order
• Centers for Disease Control