**************************************************************
Paolo del Vecchio Scheduled to Give Keynote Address at VOCAL Conference!

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

March 18th ReelABilities Film Festival in Richmond
******************************************

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.

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

Upcoming Webinar:  Creating A Culture of Wellness: A Path To
Eliminating Seclusion and Restraints

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

 February 29^th from  2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

The Copeland Center is hosting a panel discussion with people who are leading or have led initiatives to reduce and eliminate seclusion and restraints. Panelists will give a national perspective on eliminating seclusion and restraints, talk about trauma informed care in the efforts to eliminate seclusion and restraints, and describe creating cultural changes in hospitals that lead toward a wellness oriented environment including the introduction of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan.

Click here for more information and to register

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

NEC Technical Assistance Center Presents a Webinar: "Get Social! Using Social
Media to Advance Your Mission, Raise Awareness, and Provide Peer Support"
*****************************************************************

March 2nd from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.    

Space is limited: Register now by clicking here:

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/855686286

Registration will close on 5 pm EST on Wednesday, February 29. Please share with others who may be interested.

  Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, Podcasting, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google Plus. In an ever-growing social media landscape, it is easy to feel lost and not know where to begin. Our presenters will help you find your place on the social media map and head out on your personal or organizational journey. Using real-life stories, each presenter will discuss how their organization developed a social media strategy, the tools they use and how they use them, and the benefits and challenges they have experienced along the way. 

This webinar is geared towards peers, peer-run organizations, mental health service providers, family members, policymakers, administrators, and all other stakeholders.

**********************************************************
Job Opening: Consumer Empowerment and Leadership Training (CELT)
Manager with Mental Health America of Virginia
**********************************************************

Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV) is seeking a training professional to serve as the Consumer Empowerment and Leadership Training (CELT) manager.   MHAV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Our mission is to Educate, Empower and Advocate on behalf of Mental Wellness and Recovery.

CELT is MHAV's premier training program.   Through its four day leadership academies, CELT gives people with mental health concerns the leadership and advocacy skills they need to make a positive impact on Virginia's mental health system. Having a mental illness and using mental health services gives CELT participants a unique and valuable firsthand view of the mental health system.   Many programs, facilities and localities want consumers to join their boards, committees and workgroups to improve mental health services.   The CELT academy provides participants the skills necessary to combine their mental health experiences with the ability to network, identify issues, and work with policy-makers and service providers.   CELT graduates use their training in many ways, including organizing mental health self-help groups, joining provider workgroups and serving on mental health committees.   The CELT program is funded through the Mental Health Block Grant and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Job Description: The CELT Manager is responsible for the operation and delivery of experientially based peer facilitated mental health consumer educational programs focusing on individual, community and systems transformation.   Primary responsibilities include program management (planning, budgeting, staffing and outcomes evaluation), educational needs assessment, curriculum development, graduate placement on boards and committees, event planning and class enrollment to include coordinating participant travel. Occasional overnight travel is required for 4 training events and ten statewide site visits per year. The CELT Manager reports directly to the Director of Programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experiences:

1. Knowledge and experience in experientially based education and person centered approaches to wellness.
2. Personal experience as a mental health consumer
3. Possess strong oral presentation, written communication and group facilitation skills
4. Conduct training needs assessment, develop behavioral objectives, prepare curriculum and evaluate effectiveness of training.
5. Recruit, train, supervise and develop peer facilitation staff.
6. Serve as training site director and manage medical and psychiatric incidents.
7. Project management: submit proposals, coordinate contracts, prepare reports and track deliverables.
8. Develop and maintain a comprehensive marketing plan and marketing materials
9. Provide media relations for the CELT program
10. 10.Coach and assist graduates in serving in a leadership position on boards, commissions and commissions.  

Position: 32 hours per week

Salary: $32,500

Benefits: Not Applicable

Open until:   March 2, 2012

How to Apply: Please email your cover letter and resume by March 2, 2012 to: selena.ruffin@mhav.org     No Phone Calls Please

*************************
Job Opening: Director, CMHS
*************************      

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/309135200

 

The deadline for application is Friday, March 9^th.

 

The Director, CMHS is a member of SAMHSA's Executive Leadership Team, with responsibility for working with other senior officials in SAMHSA and the Administrator, to determine and achieve the strategic goals of the agency. The Director is also tasked with working in cross collaboration with other senior officials in SAMHSA to develop, plan, provide leadership for, and implement SAMHSA priorities.

The Director provides national leadership and direction in the development of CMHS goals, priorities, policies, and program activities designed to prevent and treat mental illness and promote mental health. The incumbent is directly responsible for the policy development coordination, implementation, and management of the Center's operations as they pertain to a broad program of supported activities. Assesses the implications of legislation and other initiatives, which may have an impact on the mental health services field.

**************************************************************
An Informational Alert from Fifth Freedom
"Ticket to Work: You Asked. We Answer. Work Incentives That Work for You

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

Webinar on February 29th at 1 p.m.

Some people with disabilities may be able to work and continue receiving disability benefits. On February 29, tune in to a special webinar to learn about the Social Security administration's Ticket to Work program and other work incentives. You'll learn about Social Security rules that may apply to you including work progress reviews, trial work periods, extended periods of eligibility, earned income exclusions, and expedited reinstatements.

Register here:http://chooseworkttw.net/wise/jsp/wise.jsp 

For questions or more information about this webinar or Ticket to Work, contact Ticket To Work: http://www.chooseworkttw.net/help-desk/help-overview.html .

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

Consumer Affairs for Optum Health Behavioral Solutions Announces
Four New Senior Level Position
********************************************************

1.    Director of Consumer Affairs, Commercial:  Develop and implement addiction recovery programs, services and resources through training, resource and program development for and with Care Advocacy Centers, Large commercial accounts and staff serving the MBHO community. Lived experience mandatory

2.    Director, Recovery, Resiliency and Empowerment Programs, Public Sector :  Create, direct, implement, and evaluate programs and services that advance the recovery focused, strength based and person centered orientation of OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions Public Sector  teams.  Lived experience preferred

3.    Director, Recovery, Resiliency and Empowerment Programs, Commercial :  Create, direct, implement, and evaluate programs and services that advance the recovery focused, strength based and person centered orientation of OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions Commercial  teams.  Lived experience preferred

4.    Training Director for Recovery, Resiliency and Empowerment, OptumHealth:  Advance the recovery focused, strength based and person centered orientation of OptumHealth Behavioral solutions Commercial, Public Sector and Care Solutions through training and development programs.  Lived experience strongly preferred

People can apply on line using www.unitedhealthgroup.com/careers    and search by position title.

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

Spiritual breakthroughs. Mad gifts. Visionary meltdowns. Do these themes resonate with you? We are publishing an anthology of creative non-fiction about what is called mental illness and mystical experiences, shifts in consciousness and unexpected blessings. Deadline is June 21, 2012. Please see full details at www.thefirebook.org