Program Description

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for several critical programs serving Town residents:

1. Town Human Services Grant Program: The DHS Director serves as liaison to the Human Services Committee, scheduling and attending meetings, maintaining communication with grant recipients and applicants, reviewing reports, overseeing the voucher process, and providing direct Committee and recipient support.
2. Town Contract with the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod (VNA): Under the direction of the DHS Director, VNA nursing services, clinics, and wellness programs are provided to under-insured and at-risk residents.
3. Administration of the John A. Henry Trust Fund: Financial assistance is available to Provincetown families with hildren birth-18 years of age and is administered through a Human Services grant contract with Cape Cod Children’s Place supervised by the DHS Director.
4. Human Services Round Table Forums: In an effort to strengthen communication and collaboration among Human Services providers, the DHS has organized and facilitated bi-annual Human Services Round Table meetings with Town departments, local Human Services providers, the faith community, and community partners for over two decades. In response to the pandemic, the Town Health Department began a weekly COVID-focused Meeting Needs Group to focus on pandemic-related needs and Round Table meetings were suspended. That group stopped meeting in June, 2022 and Round Table meetings were scheduled to resume in the fall of 2022, increasing to three times/year.
5. Social Services Position: The DHS Director coordinates a part-time social services position through Gosnold on Cape Cod that offers benefit program application assistance to Town residents of all ages at the VMCC..
6. Human Services Office Space: The DHS Director manages VMCC Human Services office space.

Clerical support for all DHS programs is provided by the DHS Administrative Assistant.

Major Accomplishments for FY 2022

1. During the FY2022 grant process, the Human Services Committee recommended funding for 19 Human Services grant applications, totaling $93,200. This represents a 4.5% increase in funding allocation. Every FY2022-funded agency continued to provide services throughout the pandemic both remotely and in-person.
2. The Town Contract with the VNA continued to serve at-risk residents in greatest need, supporting their ability to maintain health and independence at home, and offered health clinics for residents and Town staff. Continuity of care has been especially critical for at-risk residents during the past two years.
3. Sixteen families representing 22 individual children received financial assistance through the John A. Henry Trust Fund for a total of $20,000. The vast majority of grants went to housing-related expenses. Children and families also benefitted from 67 referrals for additional support services.
4. The Director maintained consistent involvement in the Meeting Needs Group, co-facilitating sessions with the Health Agent. Resumption of Human Services Round Table Forums was scheduled for fall 2022.

FY 2024 Objectives

1. To support social services for Town residents through the Human Services Grant Program, the Town Contract with VNA, the John A. Henry Trust Fund, Human Services Round Table Forums, a social services position through Gosnold of Cape Cod, and the provision of office space to Human Services agencies.
2. To maintain and strengthen collaboration among providers serving Town residents.