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

Eighth Annual "The Art of Recovery" Exhibit Seeks Artwork

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

"The Art of Recovery" originated from a perceived need to help adults get involved with their local community. It's based on the Fountain House gallery in New York City. According to Helen Conley, Kenmore Club member, and show organizer, "The exhibit had a record number of submissions last year. The quality of the work on displays gets better each year. I lead an art group at Kenmore Club and enjoy working with my fellow members. It's wonderful to see their talent and confidence grow." The Art of Recovery provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, challenge mental health stigma, and experience community support.

The RACSB is accepting original drawings, paintings, sculpture, textiles, prints, mixed media, and ceramics. Individuals wishing to submit their work have until April 13, 2012 to contact Helen Conley. Submissions may be in the form of photographs. Entries must include an attached label with the name of the artist, year of completion (if known), locale of the artist, and sale price (if the artwork is available for sale). Participating in the art show does not require the artwork be for sale; The PONSHOP will apply a reasonable commission on all artwork sold. Selections will be made by April 20, 2012. 

To submit artwork or to learn more, contact Helen Conley at 540-373-7737 or artofrecovery@racsb.state.va.us.

Submissions may also be mailed to RACSB, attn: Art of Recovery, 600 Jackson St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

**************************************
Exciting News from the Firewalkers Project!
************************************** 

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.

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

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

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

Correction! VPSC's Groupsite.com Web Site Still Active 

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

Despite earlier announcement in this digest and elsewhere, the site remains:

www.vpsc.groupsite.com

You may also find them on Facebook. 

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

Webinar: Writing Grant Proposals for WRAP
***********************************
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:

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

A Resource for Youth and Young Adults
********************************

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.

*************************************************************
Lilly Reintegration Scholarship Program Accepting Applications for 2012-13
*************************************************************
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

• Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD in Veterans and Military Personnel
• Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence
• Epidemiology of PTSD in Military Personnel and Veterans
• Fundamentals of Traumatic Brain Injury
• Improving Substance Abuse Treatment Compliance
• Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Returning Veterans
• Military Cultural Sensitivity
• Overview of Suicide Prevention
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD for Veterans and Military Service Personnel
• Provider Resiliency and Self-Care: An Ethical Issue
• PTSD Then and Now, There and Here
• The Impact of Deployment and Combat Stress on Families and Children
• Part I: Understanding Military Families and the Deployment Cycle
• Part II: Enhancing the Resilience of Military Families
• Working with the Homeless: An Overview

**********************************************************
The Social Security Administration Has Released 2012 Benefit Amounts
**********************************************************

The SSA has released benefit amounts for 2012, which include a slight increase.

These can be downloaded from http://www.prainc.com/SOAR/toolbox/ under the SSA Info tab.