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Old Colony Elder Services Raising Awareness of Elder Abuse through Virtual Event

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) invites the public to participate in their virtual event to raise awareness of elder abuse.

In previous years, OCES raised awareness of elder abuse by holding “March Against Elder Abuse” events in Brockton and Plymouth. This year, beginning June 15th and through the end of the month, OCES will raise awareness of elder abuse by holding a virtual WEAAD event.

The theme for WEAAD 2020 is “Lifting Up Voices”.

How it Works

To participate in OCES’ virtual event, simply take a photograph of yourself holding up a sign explaining how you are helping in the community by being a voice to help prevent and/or raise awareness about elder abuse.  Some examples of helping in the community include: checking on neighbors, listening to older adults, and reporting concerns.

Then, upload your picture to OCES’ WEAAD event page, https://www.facebook.com/events/602292773713778/ or follow OCES @OCESMA on Facebook for more information.  

Use the hashtags #ElderAbuse #LiftingUpVoices #WEAAD when posting your pictures.

“OCES’ call-to-action is for organizations, communities and individuals to lift up their voices – and raise awareness about elder abuse,” explained Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, Protective Services Director at OCES. “Even with social distancing, we can still work together, to collaborate and build awareness to this important issue.”

To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home/

See Something, Say Something

OCES encourages anyone witnessing elder abuse to report it. Be proactive and be a part of the solution to help end elder abuse.

Recognizing Elder Abuse

Elder abuse includes financial exploitation, emotional, physical, sexual abuse, neglect or self neglect. Common risk factors are social isolation, poor physical health and dementia. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, an estimated five million older adults are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. One in 10 Americans age 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse.

OCES Protective Services Program staff works with older adults or their designees to prevent, eliminate or remedy situations involving emotional, physical or sexual abuse, neglect by a caregiver, financial exploitation and/or self–neglect. When there is a report made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline), and the elder resides in our catchment area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation is necessary by a Protective Services Worker.

If you have concerns contact your local Protective Services Agency. If you are looking to file a report on elder abuse, contact the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) at 1-800-922-2275. If you ‘See Something, Say Something, please report.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Between Rounds Establishes Grocery Partnership with ShopRite supermarkets of East Hartford, Manchester and Vernon, CT

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bakery café and bagel shop with locations throughout Connecticut, has partnered with Waverly Markets, LLC and the Cohen Family, owners of ShopRite supermarkets in East Hartford, Manchester and Vernon, CT to supply their signature bagels to ShopRite customers.

Between Rounds is partnering with ShopRite stores located at 31 Main Street in East Hartford; 214 Spencer Street in Manchester; and 35 Talcottville Road (Tri City Plaza) in Vernon. Each ShopRite store will offer Between Rounds’ bagels in their bakery departments.

“Between Rounds is a family-owned business and we’re proud to partner with the Cohen family,” said Between Rounds co-founder Jerry Puiia. “They have done an excellent job in the supermarket business and it is our great privilege to have our bagels, which are locally made in our South Windsor bakery, offered for sale in their bakery departments.”

“We are always thrilled to partner with local vendors to serve our customers and support local businesses,” said Jordan Coe, President/Owner of Waverly Markets, LLC. “As a family owned and operated business, we are proud that our three ShopRite stores are reflective of the community we serve.”

Between Rounds is the brainchild of the Puiia brothers, who established locations in Vernon, South Windsor, Manchester and Tolland. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which sets them apart from other cafés. For almost 30 years now, Between Rounds has been making their delicious signature bagels in South Windsor. The popularity of their bagels inspired the Puiias to partner with independent grocers. The bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department.

To date, Between Rounds now has partnerships with more than two dozen grocery retailers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

“Between Rounds bagel fans now have the convenient option of shopping for their favorite staple – Between Rounds signature bagels – at their local grocery store,” noted Puiia.

Independent grocer owners or store managers interested in carrying Between Rounds bagels may contact Jerry or Joe Puiia at (860) 291-0323. For a list of grocery retailers offering Between Rounds bagels, visit https://betweenroundsbagels.com/grocery-retailers/

About ShopRite

ShopRite is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. All ShopRite owners are members of Wakefern Food Corporation. To learn more about ShopRite, visit www.shoprite.com.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is licensed to manufacture prepared foods, and wholesales their breakfast and lunch sandwiches to gas station convenience stores in Hartford County and beyond. The company is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department. 

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit https://betweenroundsbagels.com

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Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield Announces “2020 Youth of the Year”

Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield, a youth development organization providing programs and services to children and families throughout the greater South Shore community, selects one exceptional Club member as “Youth of the Year” to serve as an ambassador for the Club’s youth as well as a voice for all young people. 

Jessica Martin and Johanna Cullen, Director of Operations at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield in summer 2019.
Jessica Martin and Johanna Cullen, Director of Operations at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
in summer 2019.

The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield is pleased to announce Jessica Martin, a senior at Marshfield High School, has been named the 2020 Marshfield Youth of the Year. 

Ms. Martin has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield for 10 years. Over the last four years, Ms. Martin has held the role of Afterschool Staff/Summer Camp Counselor at the Club, where she wears “a number of hats” taking on duties ranging from helping with homework to supervising the Games Room. In September 2019, Ms. Martin became the President of the Keystone Club, and has since planned a variety of successful fundraisers.

Outside of the Club, Ms. Martin has served as After School Program staff for Marshfield Recreation Department. For the past six years, she has taught Pre-school and Kindergarten CCD as an assistant teacher at her church. In 2016, Ms. Martin received the Library Volunteer of the Year award from Furnace Brook Middle School for having the most volunteer hours, and in 2018, she received the National Honor Society award. A dedicated volunteer, Ms. Martin has volunteered 95 hours over the past 12 months to the Boys & Girls Club and the community.

As Youth of the Year, Ms. Martin will continue to spread awareness about the Club as a resource and its important role for youth and teens throughout the community. She has her sights set on becoming a teacher and intends to major in Elementary and Special Education at Endicott College in Beverly, MA in the fall.

“I can’t imagine where I would be right now, as the Club has been my second home,” said Ms. Martin. “The Club really played a significant part in my life after elementary school, as I was faced with new challenges. I look forward to starting college in the fall, but I will definitely return to the Club on break and continue to volunteer and give back to this amazing organization that has given me so much.”

About Youth of the Year

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BCGA) premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Each year, one exceptional young person from a Boys & Girls Club rises to the role of National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people.

The journey to being named National Youth of the Year begins locally and progresses to state, regional and national levels, with an additional military phase for members of BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations.

The Election Process

There are a number of steps that must be taken prior to being named Youth of the Year at the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield. Club staff members nominate several teens, who are then asked to write an essay on the “Club experience”. The essays are read by staff and volunteers and four are selected. The top four candidates interview with a panel to discuss their essay, club impact and four areas of development – education, community service, leadership and family life. After the interviews, the panel and club leadership discuss and elect Youth of the Year.

Ms. Martin’s next step is to advance to the State level and compete against 43 other teens from across the commonwealth. This virtual event will take place on June 18, 2020.

“Jessica has tremendous leadership ability and she is a wonderful role model,” said Jim Bunnell, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield. “It is our great pleasure to honor Jessica as the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s Youth of the Year. We wish her every success in the future.”

About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield

The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness.  

Currently, the Club serves hundreds of families with children ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old, providing afterschool, vacation week and summer programs, as well as youth athletics, teen, social recreational and leadership opportunities. For more information, visit their website https://www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.

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“Get a Spine” – Podcast launched. Healthcare professionals encouraged to collaborate.

It is a podcast, a challenge, a call for collaboration.  Welcome, to the newly launched podcast entitled “Get a Spine”, the natural health podcast sponsored by the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI). 

Each month, the CSRI podcast offers health tips and guests who share a fresh perspective. If you’d like to be a health care guest on the show or have a suggested topic for the show, please contact the society at RIChiro.org. 

The first show features tips for maximizing tennis performance and minimizing injury. Tennis pro Jesse Gotlib is the guest and Dr. Michael Gottfried, a chiropractor with Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, Rhode Island and a member of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island board of directors, is the host.  Specific tips include stretching routines for both before and after tennis activities.

To hear the first show, go to YouTube – https://youtu.be/900djlV-nSg.

About Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI)

Founded in 1918, CSRI is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the United States and represents more than 25 percent of the chiropractic physicians in the Ocean State. In addition to providing a regional voice for chiropractors in the business and legislative arenas, CSRI also helps educate the general public on the benefits of chiropractic. Those all-natural benefits can include relief from headaches, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel, colic, and stress, just to name a few. The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

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PPG Foundation Provides Essential Support to Old Colony Elder Services’ Nutrition Program

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the nonprofit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County as well as Avon, Stoughton and Easton, MA, has received a generous donation from the PPG Foundation on behalf of its aerospace facility located in Avon.  

The PPG Foundation is supporting local organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and has made a $5,000 donation to OCES’ Nutrition Program for the Meals on Wheels daily home delivery of meals.

This funding comes at a critical time as referrals to OCES’ Nutrition Program for home delivered meals has dramatically increased due to COVID-19.  Not only are people staying home, they are interacting with family and friends less so the need for a daily safety check has become crucial to supporting the older adults in greater Plymouth County.  

OCES delivers over 45,000 nutritious meals a month to older adults and individuals with disabilities living within the 23 communities in their service area. All meals are planned by a nutritionist, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, are delivered to individual homes. 

“We are extremely grateful to the PPG Foundation for their generous donation to our Meals on Wheels program, as their support helps us to provide essential, nutritionally-sound and satisfying meals to our most vulnerable residents,” said Nicole Long, CEO. 

All of OCES’ programs – from Nutrition and Home Care to Protective Services – remain in place and are operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information or services from OCES, contact their Information and Referral Department at 508-584-1561. 

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.1 billion in 2019. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org. 

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

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LEARN Behavioral announces Telehealth ABA services now available in Massachusetts through BCI

Children diagnosed with ASD may continue to receive critical ABA therapy remotely during COVID-19 pandemic.

LEARN Behavioral, the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, announces the availability of telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families in Massachusetts through their regional provider Behavioral Concepts Innovation (BCI).

To continue providing critical ABA services to client families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, BCI has innovated their service delivery model and capabilities to provide telehealth ABA services, or “teleABA” as coined by LEARN. 

TeleABA provides another option for families who prefer virtual therapy services over in-person therapy, or who have household family members who are at higher risk for severe illness. It is ABA therapy overseen by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) that parallels in-person treatment. 

“The COVID-19 response requiring nationwide social distancing and other safety guidelines has left many parents of children on the autism spectrum wondering how to maintain the gains their children have made in ABA therapy,” explained Hanna Rue, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Vice President of Clinical Development for LEARN. “BCI and LEARN are helping parents throughout Massachusetts by providing the option of teleABA therapy which helps ensure that their children are able to continue their forward momentum towards established treatment goals.” 

TeleABA Services
Treatment for ASD is in accordance with state and federal emergency guidance regarding medically necessary telehealth services. It is imperative that children with ASD avoid any break in ABA therapy as this may cause distress, disruption and potential behavior regression. TeleABA is the delivery of evidence-based ABA therapy with master level clinicians via HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing, which is accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone.

BCI’s teleABA services include direct treatment and parent consultation. Direct treatment is one-on-one treatment sessions with a child geared towards maintaining and generalizing communication, play skills and behavioral progress. Parent consultation provides an opportunity to discuss daily routines and challenging behaviors, identify targets, and implement a plan.

TeleABA enables families to continue to build upon and reinforce skills including, but not limited to:
– Potty training
– Bedtime/sleep routine
– Screen time
– Personal hygiene routine, including hand-washing

Through teleABA, BCI helps children and families in a number of ways. For example: discussing strategies and progress on a desired goal; developing a routine that fits in to your family’s schedule; providing individual reinforcement strategies; setting and explaining clear expectations; and offering “in the moment” parent coaching along with references to help successfully reach your child’s goal.

Parent Webinars
One innovative program being launched through teleABA is Parent Webinars. With COVID-19 changing day-to-day lives, new challenges are presenting and old ones are resurfacing. Parent Webinars, offered on a weekly basis, enable families facing similar challenges to join in virtual presentations to share solutions and helpful info. 

The Parent Webinars are led by Ashley Williams, Clinical Director for ABACS and Advances in the LEARN provider network in the Greater Boston area. Each webinar is guided by a BCBA and will include clinical tips, strategies, and suggestions to help parents in these challenging times. 

Dr. Rue continued, “We have received a tremendous response from our families, who are experiencing new successes due to our virtual teleABA services. It is our hope that teleABA treatment will continue to be accepted by insurers beyond COVID-19, as this will enable us to serve a greater number of children and families on the autism spectrum who need services but have limited in-person access to ABA providers.”

Currently, BCI has more than 300 BCBAs providing teleABA throughout Massachusetts and in total, LEARN has served over 2,500 families through teleABA, with nearly 1,000 trained providers across the nation who have delivered sessions. LEARN is dedicated to supporting their staff and has developed a comprehensive resource library which enables them to access tools, resources, training and support online.

For more information about BCI’s teleABA services, visit https://bciaba.com

About BCI
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Worcester, BCI has grown to become the go-to provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families throughout Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.

About LEARN
LEARN is a leading network of providers which includes BCI, as well as ABACS and Advances in the Greater Boston area, that serves children with autism and other special learning needs. LEARN specializes in behavioral health treatment based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is committed to providing programs and services that are family-focused, community-minded, and delivered with the highest clinical integrity. The LEARN team delivers more than 2.5 million hours of service annually and is comprised of more than 5,000 passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing each child’s personal best. For more information, visit https://www.learnbehavioral.com
 

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Mask up! Harvard, MA computer engineer puts 3D printer to use to cover-up local fire departments.

photo of Bob Vinci
Bob Vinci

My high school buddy Bob Vinci, now a Harvard, MA-based computer engineer and Harvard (MA) Lions Club member, is creating NIH-approved face shields via five 3-D printers and supplying them, free of charge, to 25 local fire departments throughout Greater Boston.

As a computer genius, he is adept at creating top quality face shields. But publicity and getting people to his Go Fund Me page was another thing entirely.

PR Works stepped in, on a pro bono basis, and now we are on a roll of obtaining coverage town-by-town as he delivers to each fire department. He is about halfway to raising $5,000 to cover raw material expense.

We repackaged the story – more emotion, less product detail – and continue to get it to the right media gatekeepers.

Here is the first bit of coverage from the Concord Journal.

Let us know how you are either helping the community or taking a new, creative approach to your business.

To contribute to Bob’s GoFundMe page, click here.

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Between Rounds Supports Restaurant Strong Fund

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is supporting Samuel Adams & The Greg Hill Foundation Restaurant Strong Fund to help fellow Connecticut residents in the restaurant industry who have been impacted by restaurant closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between Rounds, the unique bakery café and bagel shop with locations throughout Connecticut, has donated 5 percent of all online orders (placed through their website) during the month of April to the Restaurant Strong Fund.

“Between Rounds is a family-owned business and so far, we’ve been able to continue to provide our customers with takeout and curbside pick-up,” said Between Rounds co-founder Jerry Puiia. “Being in the business, my brother Joe and I understand what many restaurants are going through. We feel strongly about supporting individuals and families impacted by the closures and in need of financial help at this time.”

Supporting First Responders & Healthcare Workers

The Puiia family is also committed to providing support to Connecticut’s first responders and healthcare workers. Between Rounds is offering free coffee to first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Police, fire, ambulance, nurses, doctors and healthcare workers may visit any Between Rounds location (take-out or drive-thru) and receive a free fresh brewed coffee, hot or cold, any size. No purchase necessary.

For anyone looking to show their support and thank healthcare heroes, Between Rounds delivers meals that have been donated to healthcare workers/organizations (hospitals, medical offices, etc.). Minimum order is 5 lunch sandwiches. To donate meals, place an order online at www.betweenroundsbagels.com

About the Restaurant Strong Fund

Samuel Adams and The Greg Hill Foundation have teamed up to support those from the restaurant industry across the country who have been impacted by the Covid-19 closures. Learn more by visiting the Restaurant Strong Fund website, https://www.restaurantstrong.org/index.html

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is licensed to manufacture prepared foods, and wholesales their breakfast and lunch sandwiches to gas station convenience stores in Hartford County and beyond. The company is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department. 

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

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Congregate Housing Units in Bridgewater & Stoughton Now Available

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County announces Congregate Housing Program availability in Bridgewater and Stoughton, MA.

Congregate Housing is a shared living environment where consumers have their own private bedroom, and communal living space such as kitchens and sometimes bathrooms. Openings are available to older adults and individuals with disabilities at the Bridgewater and Stoughton housing authority sites.  

The Heritage Circle Congregate, located at 10 Heritage Circle in Bridgewater has a total of 10 units. Currently, at this location there are three units available. In Stoughton, there are a total of 19 units at The Silva House located at 44 Pleasant Street with one unit available at this time.  

To be eligible for Congregate Housing, applicants must be 60+ years of age or have a permanent disability.

“Congregate Housing provides an alternative housing option for older adults and people with disabilities interested in a shared living environment to prevent premature or unwanted institutionalization and /or homelessness,” said Elizabeth Weiner, OCES Housing Programs Manager. “Congregate housing is a good option for individuals who find it difficult to live alone or who enjoy the security of living with others.”

The goal of Congregate Housing is to integrate community resources, information, and services while providing group living support, to enrich the lives of those residents.

The Congregate Housing Coordinator, a specialist from OCES’ housing team, conducts an assessment to determine the specific needs of every resident residing within Bridgewater, Marshfield and Stoughton Congregate Housing sites.  All residents at these sites are eligible for information and referral services, case management assistance, and access to social or educational programs. Depending on eligibility, many other services are available as well.

“OCES works with housing authorities in Bridgewater, Marshfield and Stoughton to support the residents,” explained Weiner. “Congregate Housing Programs are designed to create a community environment which allows residents to age in community.”

Those interested in Congregate Housing in Bridgewater or Stoughton can apply online by using the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public-Housing (CHAMP) application and checking off the Congregate box, or by contacting the Bridgewater or Stoughton Housing Authorities. Visit https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, housing authorities continue to accept applications, however the housing authorities may cease lease-ups in congregate units during the emergency, as social distancing is difficult in these settings  It is still important to be added to the wait list so that you are eligible for an assessment when lease-ups resume. 

To learn more about Housing Programs offered by OCES, visit https://www.ocesma.org/getting-started/housing-options/

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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