*****************************************************************
Availability of One-Time Block Grant Fund Awards from John Pezzoli, Assistant Commissioner for Behavioral Health
*****************************************************************

As you know, annual allocations of funds from the federal Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant are established for each state fiscal year by DBHDS and disbursed to community services boards (CSBs) and other behavioral health (MH and SA) organizations over the course of the state fiscal year or contract period.  As these planned expenditures are subject to change, unspent Block Grant balances often accrue during the state fiscal year. As a result, DBHDS has balance funds from these two grants that must be expended by September 30, 2012.  These funds are available for one-time expenditures provided certain statutory and policy requirements are met.

To assure that CSBs and other eligible organizations have equal access to these funds, DBHDS has established an application process.  DBHDS is interested in supporting proposals that are innovative or that meet urgent needs related to improved services.  This memorandum fully explains the application process, application and expenditure deadlines, and provides other relevant information.

·        Application for One-Time Block Grant Funds: CSBs and other eligible non-profit mental health and substance abuse organizations may apply to DBHDS for CMHS or SAPT Block Grant one-time awards beginning on January 1, 2012. Applications must be submitted by the Executive Director or equivalent officer of the organization to Rhonda Thissen, Mental Health Block Grant Administrator in the DBHDS Office of Behavioral Health Services. Applications must be submitted electronically to Ms. Thissen at rhonda.thissen@dbhds.virginia.gov.   Electronic applications are required.

·        Award Amounts and Important Deadlines:  The maximum award available under this announcement is $50,000.  Applicants may seek awards of a lesser amount, however, and may submit more than one request funds from either MHBG or SAPT fund sources. SAPT awards may be for either "prevention" or "treatment" initiatives, as set-aside requirements permit.  The application should clearly state which source of funds is requested (e.g., MHBG or SAPT BG). Applications must be submitted by no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  The deadline for expenditure of all awards, regardless of amount or funding source, is September 30, 2012.

·        Eligible Organizations:  In order to maximize both the available one-time funds and address the September 30 expenditure deadline, requests for funds will only be considered from organizations meeting the following criteria:

a.       Community services boards;

b.      Not-for-profit, community-based organizations providing mental health and/or substance abuse treatment or support services that  have a current contractual or vendor relationship with  DBHDS or a community services board;  and/or

c.       Not-for-profit organizations providing mental health and/or substance abuse treatment or support services that are willing to partner with a community services board  that will serve as the fiscal agent for this award. Non-CSB applicants must include a letter from the CSB Executive Director or equivalent officer indicating the CSB's willingness to partner with and, if necessary, to serve as the fiscal agent for the project.

·        Application Requirements: Applications should be brief (i.e., no more than eight (8) pages, including all attachments) and include the following information:

a.       A clear and concise description of the proposed project or initiative and the needs it addresses;

b.      A line-item budget for the proposed project, with justifications for the amounts requested;

c.       A clear and concise statement of financial need for the funds requested; applicants must demonstrate why funds that are already allocated to, or anticipated by, the organization (e.g., federal, state, and local allocations, fee revenues, etc.), or any prior-year balances of funds on hand, are unavailable or insufficient for the proposed project;

d.      A specific timetable showing implementation milestones, including dates, for the proposed project;

e.      Assurance that all funds will be expended by no later than September 30, 2012; and

f.        Assurance that the organization will  report the project status and impact to DBHDS by the proposed project completion date or implementation date, or upon request from DBHDS.

·        Criteria for Proposal Review: DBHDS will look favorably on applications for one-time awards of Block Grant funds which serve to further the Commonwealth's behavioral health system strategic goals.  For information on strategic priorities, applicants should review the DBHDS strategic planning report Creating Opportunities: A Plan for Advancing Community Focused Services in Virginia and related updates, available on the DBHDS Web site at www.dbhds.virginia.gov.  Applicants may be asked to submit or provide additional information about any proposed project, but applications must be complete when submitted. Funding decisions will be made based on the merit of the proposed project, the demonstrated financial need of the organization, and the quality of the application considered in the context of the strategic priorities of DBHDS and the publicly-funded system of behavioral health services.  A decision to award funding to an applicant organization will be communicated to the Executive Director or equivalent as soon as possible after the January 31 deadline.

·        Additional Requirements: One-time CMHS and SAPT Block Grant funds received through this process may only be used for purposes consistent with existing federal Block Grant requirements regarding persons served, allowable expenditures, and other requirements of these Block Grants.

·        DBHDS Retains Full Discretion and Authority Over Funding: DBHDS has full discretion and final authority to determine amounts of one-time Block Grant funds that may be available at any time for distribution to CSBs and other applicant organizations through this process.  

Thank you for your interest in this important endeavor. If you have questions, please contact Jim Martinez at jim.martinez@dbhds.virginia.gov (804-371-0767) or Mellie Randall at mellie.randall@dbhds.virginia.gov (804-371-2135).

**************************************

VAULT Advertising Executive Director Position
**************************************

During 2010, a group of 13 leaders from Virginia disability groups and organizations came together to form a statewide,cross-disability non-profit organization to bring people with disabilities together for public policy decision-making at  local,state and regional levels. People with disabilities, groups and organizations make up the board of directors for VAULT, including:

·         Autistic Self-Advocacy Network

·         Hearing Loss Association

·         People First

·         Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL)

·         Virginia Association of DeafBlind

·         Virginia Organization of Consumers Asserting Leadership (VOCAL)

·         Youth Leadership Forum alumni 

The successful candidate must have experience, skills, abilities and/or working knowledge of:

·         disabilities and disability systems change activities at the local, state, or national level;

·         interpreting and implementing policies;

·         generally accepted administrative management and personnel;

·         writing reports;

·         general accounting, financial and procurement functions;

·         budget development and monitoring;

·         fundraising and/or grant writing; and

·         Microsoft Office Suite and other related programs 

Preferred qualifications for the Executive Director are:

·         the ability to travel;

·         a Bachelors degree in a human service field or 2 - 5 years of related experience in the disability field;

·         at least 2 - 5 years in a leadership position of a non-profit;

·         supervisory experience of staff; training experience/ public speaking; and

·         a working knowledge of administrative and legislative processes. 

Priority consideration will be given to a candidate with a disability. 

This position is grant funded for 30 hours per week. 

The salary range is $29,000 - $35,000 with no health benefits.  VAULT's office is located in Richmond, Virginia. The position is open until filled. 

If interested, please submit a cover letter and a resume to:

Ann Benner

1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 111

Richmond, VA. 23230

Or Email:  ann@vocalvirginia.org

Three Recent Articles Describe Recovery-Oriented Approaches
****************************************************

Behavioral Healthcare recently published a two-part interview with author Robert Whitaker as well as an article about the Hearing Voices Network; and The New York Times ran an article highlighting the importance of peer support. The two-part Whitaker interview - by Bill Anthony, Ph.D., and Lori Ashcraft, Ph.D. - covers Whitaker's thoughts about the effectiveness of psychotropic medications (among other topics) and includes a sidebar from a critic of his views. Said Whitaker, ". . . [U]nfortunately I'm afraid psychiatry no longer knows how to get back on track with honest reporting of what it does and does not know, and honest investigations of psychiatric medications. . . . Ultimately, I think we need a new paradigm built on the framework of psychosocial and recovery practices." The Hearing Voices Network story, published online, covers a presentation by Daniel Hazen, executive director of Voices of the Heart Inc., and Oryx Cohen director of the National Empowerment Center Technical Assistance Center. They offered strategies for handling the experience of hearing voices. "The notion that peer-led groups might help voice-hearers to tame and better live with their voices was, in the words of one local psychiatrist, 'liberating,' " Behavioral Healthcare reported. The New York Times article featured the story of Antonio Lambert, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring substance use disorder, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison when he was 17 years old. Today, Antonio trains peer specialists across the United States. The article - the last of a five-part series entitled "Restoring Lives," about individuals with psychiatric diagnoses who are in recovery - quoted Larry Davidson of Yale University: "Peers are living, breathing proof that recovery is possible, that it is real."

Sources:  

http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=9B6FFC446FF7486981EA3C0C3CCE4943&nm=Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=64D490AC6A7D4FE1AEB453627F1A4A32&tier=4&id=A5BC331586DC4D8B89B194044A0D83F1

http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=9B6FFC446FF7486981EA3C0C3CCE4943&nm=Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=64D490AC6A7D4FE1AEB453627F1A4A32&tier=4&id=43C2D89CC0364CFA94916B05462A9556#sidebar

http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=64D490AC6A7D4FE1AEB453627F1A4A32&tier=4&id=2AD887EA1E4847C293174A191EAEA422

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/health/20lives.html?ref=health">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/health/20lives.html?ref=health

DBHDS Qualified Bilingual Staff Interpreter Training Program for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services - Feb 27-29 2012 in Fairfax
***************************************************************  February 27-29, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 12011 Government Center Parkway
#206 in Fairfax, 220130

 http://tinyurl.com/4yepxpq  

The Qualified Bilingual Staff (QBS) training program was developed by Kaiser Permanente for the purpose of increasing our capability for providing linguistically appropriate services to individuals who are Limited English Proficient (LEP). The program targets our system's bilingual, dual role staff and trains them in proper interpreting practices. THIS DBHDS TRAINING IS FOR STAFF WORKING IN THE AREAS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WHO WANT TO BUILD THEIR SKILLS AND TERMINOLOGY IN THESE FIELDS.
This three day training is for BILINGUAL STAFF working as informal interpreters in your organization, this is NOT a training for professional or full time interpreters.
$100 for materials and lunch daily Maximum 25 participants - register early

*Normally, there is an additional $100 fee for the independent language proficiency test (not paid to DBHDS), however, for this class, there are scholarships available to pay this fee.  Future classes will require that your organization pay the $100 test fee in addition to the classroom fee.  Please read the FAQ carefully for details.

*************************************************************
Part-time Peer Support Specialist: Southwestern VA Mental Health Institute
*************************************************************

Needed to provide psychiatric rehabilitation and role recovery groups and activities, including the development of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and associated activities. Must be certified or trained as a Peer Support Specialist in the recovery process for mental health consumers. Prefer successful completion of WRAP Facilitator training. Prefer previous experience providing therapeutic activities, social, or leisure services to a population of adults or adolescents diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, developmental delay, and/or substance abuse.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be certified or trained as a Peer Support Specialist in the recovery process for mental health consumers. High School Diploma or GED required.

Preferred Qualifications

1.Prefer a mental health consumer who has been specially trained as a Peer Support Specialist to assist others with the recovery process

2.Prefer successful completion of WRAP Facilitator training curriculum.

3.Prefer previous experience providing therapeutic activity, social or leisure services to a population of adults or adolescents diagnosed with severe or persistent mental illness, developmental delay, and/or substance abuse.

4. Prefer experience in planning and implementing Recovery based sessions.

Special Requirements

A fingerprint-based criminal history check along with a check with the Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services, and drug testing (for safety-sensitive positions) will be conducted on finalist candidates for positions.

After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=605089

WRAP Refresher Course in Mount Gretna, PA

January 10-12, 2012
*************************************

In order to improve skills and stay informed regarding effective approaches to WRAP Facilitation continued learning is imperative. It is recommended that WRAP Facilitators attend a Refresher Course at least once every two year in order to stay up to date on developments and best practices.

Course Description: The WRAP Refresher Course is a three-day, interactive course co-facilitated by Copeland Center Advanced Level Facilitators, Gina Calhoun and Eric Larson, to sharpen and expand facilitation skills to further engage groups in the Wellness Recovery Action Planning.

Through attendance in this course WRAP Facilitators will:

1)    Recognize expanded options on how to give effective group introductions.

2)    Identify additional knowledge areas, values and ethics of WRAP.

3)    Apply at least one new skill to sharpen and expand group facilitation skills.

4)    Develop new and creative approaches to facilitation to accommodate participant challenges and differing group needs.

Those who participate in this training will receive a certificate for completing this 24-hour training. This training can used for continuing education credit requirements for CPS and others. Please contact the Copeland Center for more information, 802-254-5335.

Recommended for: WRAP Facilitators to enhance knowledge and skills with WRAP and to get updates on implementing WRAP as an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).

Tuition: $750 includes lunch and all training materials.

To apply for this training:http://tinyurl.com/refresher-2012 

Bienvenidos: Engaging the Latino Community in Behavioral
Health and Developmental Services on March 21
*************************************************    

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Abingdon, Virginia 24212-1987

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 29th

To register http://tinyurl.com/7kqtk37  

For more information: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/2008CLC/documents/clc-cal-2012-03-EngagingLatinoComm.pdf