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Nothing About Us Without Us!
VOCAL's Mental Health Recovery
News for February 6, 2012
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Dear Reader,
You are receiving the VOCAL Network Digest because you are on our email list. The Network Digest is a twice-weekly update of mental health announcements throughout Virginia and the nation. If you prefer not to receive these updates, please click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of this email. Thank you!
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*******************************************From Ann Benner, VOCAL Network Program Director*******************************************Dear VOCAL Community, I am sad to announce that I will be resigning from my job at VOCAL. My last day to work will be Friday February 17. My seven years at VOCAL have been wonderful in so many ways. I feel so lucky to have had this fabulous job, working with so many courageous, generous, heroic people -- and doing such important work. I think it's probably rare to be in a job that constantly feeds you and connects you to the core of human spirit. I know that many people reading this have had this kind of experience -- paid or unpaid -- in working for recovery. I believe deeply in the importance and effectiveness of peers helping peers, of our self-empowerment for recovery, and of peer leadership in creating a total environment that supports recovery and the worth and dignity of everyone. I will remain a loyal VOCAL member. I wish you all the best in your recovery and your work towards our mutual goals.
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VOCAL Conference 2012 Set for May at James Madison University
***************************************************** Save the dates! The annual statewide VOCAL Conference will be held from Monday, May 21st through Wednesday, May 23rd at James Madison University's Festival Conference Center in Harrisonburg. Please mark your calendar so you can plan to join your peers for recovery education, sharing, networking and fun! A sliding fee scale for registration costs and scholarship opportunities will be available.
Registration forms will be available in March. Ann Benner and Yolande Long |
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NWPC Meets in Fishersville on February 8th
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Northwest Peer Connect, a support and information meeting for all peers in
Region 1 (Northwest mental health planning region) meets the second Wednesday
of every month, at different locations.
On Wednesday February 8, from 1:30pm to 4pm we will meet at the Augusta County Library, 1759 Jefferson Highway in Fishersville (22939).
We will have a special presentation by Malaina Poore, VOCAL's Firewalkers Program Director, on the Firewalkers program. Light refreshments will be served.
All members will be invited to report on their local peer activities, and raise issues for our agenda.
Contact Ann Benner (804)343-1777 for more information.
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MHAV's Well Quest Facilitator Training Scheduled for February
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MHAV is conducting Well Quest Facilitator Training at the Shalom Retreat Center near Richmond on February 21-23, 2012. This training is ideal for consumers already facilitating support groups or consumers wanting start support/health education groups in their community. Well Quest provides training in the following areas: Group Dynamics, Building Trust, Conflict Management, Self Organization, Total Health and Wellness Integration (Including Tobacco Cessation), Shared Leadership and Self-Sustainability. MHAV will be providing ongoing facilitator support through phone and Web Conferencing beginning in April 2012.
SCHOLARSHIPS: 5 Full Scholarships remain available for mental health peers. Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, training materials, food, lodging and transportation assistance if needed. Please contact Chris Owens, MHAV Director of Programs for any additional information at chris.owens@mhav.org or 1-866-400-6428.
APPLICATION: Online at: Well Quest Application Online Or, you may contact Mary Vaughan at mary.vaughan@mhav.orgor 1-866-400-6428 and we will provide you an application by email or the U.S Post Office.
This will be the last class until the fall of 2012. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply now.
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Executive Director Position Open at Friends4Recovery Whole Health
Center in Chesterfield
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Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center is a 100% mental health, consumer run and operated nonprofit organization. We aim to provide an accepting and welcoming environment where individuals who have lived mental health experiences can take charge of their own recovery. We offer classes, groups, support, and one-on-one Wellness Coaching for the greater Richmond area. Our board of directors and staff are individuals living in mental health recovery. The successful Executive Director candidate will have lived mental health experiences and recovery education (CELT, WRAP, Peer Support Specialist preferred). Other characteristics are strong communication and organizational skills. We are looking for an experienced individual who can lead Friends4Recovery in all aspects of running a nonprofit organization including administrative functions, financial responsibilities and program and fund development plus be responsible for maintaining an atmosphere of wellness and recovery. Position: Full Time Salary: $35,000 Benefits: Health and dental insurance Open Until: February 10, 2012 How to Apply: No phone calls please. Email resume, cover letter, three references to friends4recoveryjob@gmail.com. We will contact those persons selected for an interview.
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84 Main in Warsaw Holds Support Group and WRAP Class
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Wednesdays in February (1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
Support Group from 11 a.m. - Noon
WRAP Class from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
For further information, call 804.333.3581
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Harrisonburg Non-Profit Seeks PT Hire
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"Pathways of Hope and Healing", a peer-run non-profit located in the Harrisonburg area is looking to hire. Position is very part-time and is more of a volunteer position at this point. Duties would include helping create and teach recovery-based workshops, attend and facilitate two weekly groups, as well as various other projects that may come up.
Peer specialist and/or WRAP facilitator certification is very helpful, but not required.
Interested persons should contact Rachel Spitzer at rspitzer98@gmail.com.
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Correction! VPSC's Groupsite.com Web Site Still Active
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Despite earlier announcement in this digest and elsewhere, the site remains:
www.vpsc.groupsite.com
You may also find them on Facebook.
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"Pathways to Recovery" for Mental Health Consumers
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Free 10 week recovery workshop, two sessions available, February 2 until April 7 pr April 21 to June 30
Classes held on Saturdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, 3301 Gallows Road, in Falls Church. Preregistration is required.
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The Local Human Rights Committee Seeks Volunteers
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The Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC)is an all volunteer committee responsible for monitoring the rights of patients/clients who receive mental health, intellectual disability or substance abuse services from service providers that are either licensed, funded or operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Local Human Rights Committee members are appointed from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and consumers of mental health, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse services and family members as well as licensed health care providers are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Rules and Regulations to Assure the Rights of Individuals Receiving Services From Providers Licensed, Funded or Operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (a.k.a. the Blue Book) is the tool used by the Office of Human Rights and providers for determining a provider's compliance with the human rights regulations. Facilities and programs are guided by Rules and Regulations which assure clients' rights and by the Department's commitment to provide services that are responsive to the unique needs of individual clients and which maximize opportunities for self-determination. Nevertheless, these goals must frequently be reconciled with the need to protect the rights of others and the need to minimize the economic burden of service provision on the Commonwealth. Local Human Rights Committees are often called upon to assist in this reconciliation.
As a member of a LHRC, you will be responsible for monitoring a provider's compliance with various sections of the regulations to include but not limited to treatment with dignity, participation in treatment decision making, confidentiality, restrictions, restraint and time out and the complaint resolution process. Occasionally, LHRC members will conduct a fact-finding hearing if a client makes a human rights complaint which is unable to be satisfactorily resolved with a service provider. The LHRC would listen to both parties and then make a determination concerning whether the client's rights were violated, along with recommendations to the services provider for corrective action.
LHRC meetings are open to the general public unless the Committee goes into executive session to protect the privacy of individuals and their personal records not related to public business. Terms for new committee members vary from one to three year appointments. LHRC's generally meet at least four times per year, however, some Committees have chosen to meet more often. The number of meetings held per calendar year is determined by the Committee members and is stated in the committee's bylaws. Once a member completes his or her term, he/she may apply for a second three year term if desired. The Office of Human Rights will provide training for all prospective LHRC members as well as onsite support and guidance during LHRC meetings.
For further information: E-mail: michael.curseen@dbhds.virginia.gov
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12 for 2012: Prevention Institute's Most Popular Resources
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Prevention Institute has posted its 12 for 2012 most popular resources, which includes publications, tools, and resources to help center community wellbeing around prevention.
http://preventioninstitute.org/about-us/lp/784-12-for-2012-prevention-institutes-most-popular-resources.htm
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Can YOU Promote Positive Change and Challenge Misconceptions
About the Skills and Talents of People With Disabilities?"
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http://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org/videocontest/
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March 18th ReelABilities Film Festival in Richmond
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Looking for poets for a live poetry reading in Richmond on the evening of March 18. This event is part of the ReelAbilities Film Festival and will take place before the screening of "Crooked Beauty". More details to follow.
Please contact Malaina at malaina@vocalvirginia.org to reserve a spot.
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New Manual for Starting Peer-Run Respites Now
Available for Free Download!
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Thanks to the experience of Rose House, the work of PEOPLE, Inc., and the support of Optum Health, a new manual is now available for people interested in starting hospital diversion services, which are crisis alternatives that include peer-run respites. Thank you to PEOPLE, Inc. and Optum Health for making this document free and accessible! The manual has several interactive pieces and is user friendly. We are proud at the NEC to be able to showcase this manual and make it available for free download. If you do copy it, please make sure to give proper credit.
The manual is available here:
Hospital Diversion Services: A Manual on Assisting in the Development of a Respite/Diversion Service in Your Area (PDF, 1.11MB, 56 pages)
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From David Granirer, Founder, Stand Up For Mental Health
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For those of you who missed my last Webinar I'll be doing another one next Thursday February 9 from 11 am-noon Pacific time on Stand Up For Mental Health and how we use comedy to empower people with mental illness and fight public stigma.
It's sponsored by the International Bipolar Foundation. There is info on how to register below or you can just go to: http://www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org/
http://www.standupformentalhealth.com
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VOCAL and On Our Own of Charlottesville Host Youth Create Wholeness
Art Workshops and Art Rave
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Art Rave Workshop: Tuesday, February 7th from 4 to 5:30 pm
Art Rave Workshop: Tuesday, February 14th from 4 to 5:30 pm
Art Rave Workshop: Tuesday, February 21st from 4 to 5:30 pm
Art Rave Community Creativity Event: Tuesday, February 28th from 2 to 6 pm
These workshops will be held at On Our Own of Charlottesville, 123 4th Street NW, in Charlottesville
What is an Art Rave?
An Art Rave is first and foremost an Opportunity to Experience Healing
through Creativity and Community. It is a Drug-Free, Alcohol-Free,
Free to Express Yourself Safe Space to Nurture Connection and
Self-Expression. This can range from painting a canvas, drawing on
paper, singing or making music, written words, or movement on the dance floor.
Contact Flora Lark for more information: flora.baily@vocalvirginia.org or at On Our Own of Charlottesville 434-979-2440
www.vocalvirginia.org/youth
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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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Central Peer Connect to Meet in Virginia
Office for Protection and Advocacy Board Room in February
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This is a change in venue for February!
We will meet in VOPA's Board Room, 1910 Byrd Avenue, Suite 5 (Richmond) on February 14th from 12:30- 2 p.m.
VOCAL is hosting.
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| Contact Information
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phone:
804-343-1777
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DISCLAIMER: This page is offered strictly for informational and support purposes. We assume no liability whatsoever for any consequences arising out your use of information or connections provided through any of the above organizations. VOCAL does not necessarily agree with information provided by these organizations, their websites, members or other affiliations.
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