The federal government will end the extra COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits created during the pandemic to help individuals and families buy food. Massachusetts households will receive their last extra COVID SNAP payment on March 2. Visit Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP, for help with planning for the end of these temporary federal benefits.

Families are encouraged to inform the Department of Transitional Assistance if you have medical costs over $35. per month for anyone in the household who is over 60 or has a disability, increase housing costs or child or disabled adult care costs. These may increase your SNAP benefits.

Flyer in English is below.

• Spanish Portuguese, Brazil, Others

Families with MassHealth need to renew their coverage this year in order to maintain coverage. Coverage protections put in place during the pandemic will end soon, and MassHealth will return to standard annual eligibility renewal processes. MassHealth families need to take the following steps:

• Update contact information – make sure MassHealth has your most up-to-date address, phone number, and email so that they do not miss important information and notices about what else is needed.
• Report household changes to make sure MassHealth knows about any changes in their household, like a new job, address, changes to income, disability status, or pregnancy.

Update your information and report changes using your MA Login Account at http://www.mahix.org/individual. Don’t have an account? To create one call MassHealth Customer Service at (844) 365-1841.Find out more about MA Login Accounts Online at mass.gov/masshealthlogin.

Questions? If you have questions, need help with your MassHealth coverage, or if you have lost coverage, please contact MassHealth Customer Service at (800) 841-2900.

More information is available on the MassHealth’s Redetermination website,

Did you know that 39% of KPMS students reported spending 3+ hours online not for school or homework on an average school day, with 38% spending 3+ hours on social media, and 58% spending 3+hours on "screen time" that is not for school/homework?

When a social media expert presented to students at one of the region's elementary schools asked students if they had been on various social media platforms, almost all hands were up, but when she asked how many were 13, most hands went down. She then shared with them that Federal Regulations require that youth be 13 prior to accessing many of these social media options. Parents/caregivers may also not be aware of this, or have knowledge of all the platforms their children are using.

With children and youth using technology and accessing social media platforms, parents/caregivers need to remain vigilant in monitoring sites and games they are accessing and interacting with. The Attorney General's Office presented a recent virtual event on preventing exploitation of children online. Below are two resources shared. Watch for more information in future newsletters.

For other digital wellness resources, see the Promoting Health and Wellness at Home page of the Family Wellness Resources Site.

*2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey

On January 24th, a mental health professional and a facilitator from Families for Depression Awareness presented Addressing Family Stress. This presentation helped participants to learn to identify symptoms of stress in themselves or a family member, to manage stress as a family, respond when symptoms are "more than stress," and how to get help.

• Download a copy of the presentation slides, https://bit.ly/AFSKingPhilipSlides
• Create your Family Action Plan, https://www.familyaware.org/actionplan/
• Find the resources shared during the program

• Coping with Stress Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/3DcurMT

• Reframing Negative Thinking: https://bit.ly/3ZUJPr7

The Hockomock Area YMCA is partnering with Minding Your Mind to host a panel discussion with two young adults who will discuss their own experiences with mental health. They will be joined by Philip Allessi, North Attleboro High School Psychologist. Event will be held at the Hockomock YMCA Franklin Branch on March 2nd from 5:30-7:30 pm.

RSVP to Brynnek@Hockymca.org.

Link to flyer.

Need strategies for managing stress and anxiety? The Hockomock YMCA is offering a Stress and Anxiety Support Group at their Hurley Family Branch, North Attleboro. The group will be facilitated by a local social worker/psychotherapist and begins March 1st. Link to flyer for more information.

A Healthier Approach to College Admissions Hosted by Challenge Success
MAR 9th | Virtual | Cost: $10
For parents, students, educators, and counselors

Learn practical strategies to help reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support student’s overall well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. Can’t attend? A recording will be sent to all registrants afterward. If anyone is not able to attend because cost is a barrier for you, please reach out.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Behavioral Health Help Line

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. For more information, please see the FAQ.

National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

24-7, free, confidential support to anyone

in emotional distress, or needing coping support

Call or text: 988 https://988lifeline.org/

Parental Stress Hotline: Available 24/7. 1-800-632-8188

Riverside Emergency Services - Providing 24 hour/7 day emergency services to children under 21 who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis with mobile, face-to face response. 781-769-8674

Interface Referral Services- Mental health and wellness referral helpline for families in with children in the elementary schools of Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham, and King Philip Regional Schools. Families can call to consult with a mental health professional to receive personalized, matched referrals to counseling providers for their child. Not an emergency hotline. 1-888-244-6843

9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and 8-6 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.