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Nothing About Us Without Us!
VOCAL's Mental Health Recovery
News for January 23, 2012

 

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Exciting News from the Firewalkers Project!
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The Firewalkers Project is looking for well-written, authentic writing for an upcoming Anthology that focuses on the following themes:

Emotional turbulence
Altered states
Spiritual breakthroughs
Visionary meltdowns
Ecstatic visions
Crazy blessings
Mad gifts

What we are seeking is accessible, enjoyable, surprising pieces that relate to the themes listed above. We are interested in creative nonfiction and essays that show insight, humor, quality of writing and diversity of experience.
Submissions can be emailed as an attachment to malaina@vocalvirginia.org. Submissions must be in 12pt Times Roman font, double-spaced, with numbered pages (max 20). All submissions should be accompanied by a one paragraph author biography. One submission per person. No poetry please.

Writers will retain all rights to their work. Previously published work will be considered. There is no payment except for a copy of the book. This is most definitely a labor of love and a chance to define this experience that may be labeled as "mental illness' in our own terms. The anthology is being planned as a self-published book.

Our first book, Firewalkers: Madness, Mystery and Beauty was also self-published and has sold over 1300 copies and 10,000+ people have visited our website, read the book or attended a Firewalkers event.

Please see www.thefirebook.org or www.vocalvirginia.org for more information.

 

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VAULT Advertising Executive Director Position
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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

 

 

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VPSC Moves to Facebook

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The VPSC steering committee has decided to shift our online presence from this paid site through groupsite.com to other cost-free online venues such as Facebook and Google.  It was hoped that VPSC would receive funding to cover the monthly cost to groupsite.com but that has not materialized.  Most people have a Facebook account now and we think it makes more sense to move over to Facebook given the amount of discussion taking place on the VPSC site.  This site will remain up for about a week.  Several notices -like this one- will be given to ensure as many folks as possible are aware that the site is shutting down.  We simply cannot afford to operate a website at this time but come find us on Facebook: search for Virginia Peer Support Coalition in groups.

 

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Building the Foundation for a Successful Peer-Run Respite: Creating
Connections with the Local Community
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Wednesday, January 25^th from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

 

Peer-Run respites/hospital diversion programs are increasing in numbers and having positive results across the country. Peer-run respites offer an alternative to traditional mental health hospitalization, are operated by peers, and are cost-effective. 

 

The presenters will discuss their first-hand experience with building connections with the community while opening and running a peer-run respite, including how to:

• Lay the groundwork, educate the community, and establish relationships;
• Address common community misconceptions and avoid the "Not in My Backyard (NIMBY)" phenomenon; and
• Maintain positive connections in the local community while operating a peer-run respite. 

Building the Foundation for a Successful Peer-Run Respite is the second in a webinar series on peer-run crisis alternatives sponsored by the National Empowerment Center's Technical Assistance Center. To watch the archive of the first webinar, So You Want to Start a Peer-Run Respite, click here.

 

How to register:

Space is limited. Register today!

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/620285462

Registration will close on Tuesday, January 24.

 

One of the guests is Julie Hersh, author of "Struck by Living"

 

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Webinar: Writing Grant Proposals for WRAP
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February 9, 2012 from 2-3 p.m.

Please join us for the FREE webinar: "Writing Grant Proposals for WRAP" with Katherine F. H. Heart, president of Heart Resources.

 

This webinar will provide basic information about seeking grants for Wellness Recovery Action Plans. Grants can be found to: start or expand the number of WRAP groups, train facilitators, integrate WRAP into formal systems of care, and apply WRAP to other community programs that serve the needs of children and families, veterans, and other people with health and mental health issues. Participants will learn about the grant seeking process, basic proposal writing, researching potential funders, and resources for further study. WRAP Facilitators may be able to advance their careers by developing knowledge and skill in grant proposal writing.

 

This is a great opportunity for anyone looking into ways to fund a WRAP program as well as for people looking to advocate to get more WRAP into their agency or organization. It is ideal for WRAP Facilitators, administrators, volunteers, board members, and those using WRAP or those supporting others to use WRAP.

 

To register:

 

 

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A Resource for Youth and Young Adults
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Becoming an Adult: Challenges for Those with Mental Health Conditions (PDF)

This research brief discusses issues related to individuals transitioning to adulthood who have serious mental health conditions.

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Lilly Reintegration Scholarship Program Accepting Applications for 2012-13
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The scholarship program is designed to help people with schizophrenia, related schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorder acquire educational and vocational skills.
Deadline: January 31, 2012

 

 

The VOCAL Website http://www.vocalvirginia.org

 

Donate to VOCAL: Contribute to Mental Wellness in Virginia