*****************************************************
The VOCAL E-Digest Will Not Be Issued the Week of May 21st...
*****************************************************
while we are at the VOCAL Conference!
But we will be back on May 29th!
|
*************
Got News???
*************
The next issue of the VOCAL "Network News" will be published in early June. If you have any news from your respective regions that you would like to share, we'd like to hear from you!
Email: yolande@vocalvirginia.org by May 30th
|
|
****************************************
Please Check Out This Wonderful Film Festival!
****************************************
ReelAbilities Film Festival in Richmond
May 13th -17th
On May 17th there will be two screenings of "Crooked Beauty", a beautiful and unusual film about mental health. The first happens at JMU at noon, the second is at "The Shop" and will be preceded by an open poetry reading. See the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/qgAaIBlq-cs
|
**********************************************************
Center for Recovery and Wellness in Lynchburg Launches "Nourish"
**********************************************************
On May 1st the Center for Recovery and Wellness in Lynchburg launched a new group called "Nourish". The group will be open to the public and is for people who struggle with food issues such as over eating, diabetes, bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, etc. The purpose of "Nourish" is to join together as peers and share our experiences, and encourage one another on a joint path to healthier living. No one on staff at Center for Recovery and Wellness is a doctor or dietician, or any sort of medical professional.
"Nourish" will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. at 618 Court Street, Lynchburg.
For further information, go to: http://centerforrecoveryandwellness.org/ or call 434-947-2662.
Please join us!
|
************************************************
Peer Support Group Meeting Every Wednesday at 84 Main
************************************************
11:00- 12:00 p.m.
For further information, call 804.333.3581
|
*******************************************************
NAMI Virginia & VCEH Housing Stability and Mental Illness Summit
*******************************************************
There are a limited number of scholarships available for this annual conference, a joint venture between NAMI VA and the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. This conference focuses on housing instability, homelessness, and mental illness. It is guaranteed to be chock full of great information, as well as networking, support, and knowledge-building!
Scholarships are available for people (families, peers) who have income barriers and wouldn't be able to attend otherwise. Income verification is NOT asked for or required; it is self-selection/"honor system". Thanks to funding from DBHDS for these scholarships.
The deadline to apply is May 25.
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?utm_source=E-News+May+3&oeidk=a07e5t21m80c07ab818&llr=t69uarcab&utm_campaign=April+3+News&utm_medium=email
|
******************************************
Scholarships Available for MHA Annual Conference ******************************************
Scholarships are available for the 2012 National Zarrow Mental Health Symposium and Mental Health America Annual Conference.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to attend the 2012 National Zarrow Mental Health Symposium & Mental Health America Annual Conference.
Focused on housing and recovery support services for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders, this conference is an ideal venue for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorder to come together to hear about best practice programs as well as share theirstories of recovery.
For additional information about consumer scholarships and to view the application, please visit http://www.fromhousingtorecovery.org/scholarship-info/.
Consumer scholarship applications are due May 15, 2012.
|
**********************************************************
Nationwide Survey of Peer Run Organizations and Consumer Operated
Services is Under Way
**********************************************************
A Johns Hopkins School of Public Health researcher is conducting a study that will provide evidence of the impact of peer-run organizations and consumer-operated services on the mental health system and the community. The study will yield data for planning, reimbursement, and sustainability, and will be important for spreading the peer-run model and educating the government and the field, said Laysha Ostrow, MPP, an NIMH Services Training Fellow at Johns Hopkins. "It will also allow us to understand the challenges faced by peer-run organizations as the system changes and reforms are implemented," she said. "Participation by organizations in all states is necessary. Results will be shared with peers, advocates, and government agencies that support mental health." For progress so far, click on the following link; the page will be updated as the numbers increase: http://www.peersri.org/project-updates.html. Ostrow is also hoping to increase survey response rates.
Source: http://www.peersri.org/projects.html
|
|
***************************************************
"Concepts of Recovery" at Friends 4 Recovery in Richmond
***************************************************
Friday, May 11 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
For info, call: 804.306.1366
|
|
****************************************************************
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month and Join the STAR Center for These Upcoming Teleconference
****************************************************************
"Spiritual Wellness During Times of Crisis: How Consumer-Supporters Can Honor and Support Diverse Personal, Cultural and Spiritual Experiences of Mental Health Consumers"
May 31st at 2:00 p.m.
Join participants from the STAR Center's Workshop on Multicultural Competence, Intense Spiritual Experiences and Mental Health in exploring how consumer-supporters and service providers can honor and support consumers' spiritual wellness during times of crisis. Self-Help, Peer Support and Service Provider Technical Assistance Tool Kit author Laura Mancuso will be joined by Workshop and Tool Kit contributors Can Truong, Gitane Williams, Jimi Kelley and Catherine Quinerly. This call is intended for those who support consumers (family members, friends, service providers) who wish to be supportive in ways that honor a real diversity of experiences.
Register online here for the May 31 teleconference. You will receive a confirmation email with call-in information.
|
****************************************
VOCAL Represented on BRSS TACS Team
****************************************
 Three VOCAL members were invited to be part of Virginia's "Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale: Technical Assistance Center Strategy" team. The Virginia peers serving on the BRSS TACS team were Mike Newcomb from the Peer Support Coalition, Violet Taylor, Peer Bridger, and Anna Mendez, VOCAL's Director of Operations. For the three days of the conference in Reston, they made sure the peer voice was heard and well represented while the team from Virginia worked to brainstorm ways to increase recovery supports across the Commonwealth. |
************************************************
2012 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards Now Available
************************************************
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is pleased to announce the availability of the 2012 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards, formerly the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery State Awards, which fund selected statewide peer-run/recovery community organizations across the United States to promote social inclusion on State and local levels and to counter the negative perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs associated with mental health and/or substance use conditions.
This year, SAMHSA will award six $20,000 grants for statewide and community-based efforts that promote and expand the "What a Difference a Friend Makes" campaign (http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov). Proposed activities must target 18- to 25-year-olds and provide a detailed plan to increase awareness of behavioral health issues and of mental health and addictions recovery among young adults-in particular those who have experienced trauma. Proposals are also encouraged that address young adults from diverse populations including Hispanic/Latino, African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian populations.
These awards support four of SAMHSA's eight Strategic Initiatives: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Public Awareness and Support, Trauma and Justice, and Recovery Support.
The application period for the 2012 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards for
Statewide Peer-Run/Recovery Community Organization Projects opens May 4, 2012, and the deadline for submitting applications is 5:00 p.m. eastern time on June 4, 2012.
The comprehensive Project Guide, which fully describes the project focus, eligibility
requirements, application requirements, and other important information, is available
at http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2012awards.aspx.
For questions on this application, please contact Campaign Liaison Ruth Montag at
240-744-7062 or CSI-liaison@esi-dc.com. |
|
****************************************************
"Living WRAP" Webinar on Thursday, May 24th from 2-3 p.m.
****************************************************
Join Mary Ellen Copeland as she explores how people use WRAP daily as their guide to recovery and wellness. Her presentation will include stories that she has gathered from people around the world who use WRAP; stories that illustrate the challenges of using WRAP, and the power of WRAP in helping people to improve the quality of their daily lives and to go on to meet their own goals and dreams.
Click here to register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/778361768
|
***************************
For Fairfax County Consumers
***************************
The Housing Support Services Blueprint Advisory Team is looking for consumer input on existing housing support services, gaps in these services and best practices in housing support services throughout Fairfax County. Please share this with your contacts. The link to the electronic survey is below. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSSBclientfeedbacksurvey The team is asking that all surveys be completed by May 18th.
|
|
*****************************************************
You Are Invited to a Monthly National Networking Teleconference
*****************************************************
The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse invites you to participate in our monthly national networking teleconferences, which usually take place the third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. (If the third Monday is a national holiday, the call will take place the fourth Monday.) The call-in number is 866-906-0123; the pass code is 5037195#. The purpose of the call is for peer movement leaders from around the U.S. to get together, share information, and "network." Join us! The next call will take place on Monday, May 21, at 1 p.m. If you have a topic or topics you would like to see discussed on this call, please write to Susan Rogers srogers@mhasp.org with the words "National Teleconference Agenda" in the subject line.
|
***********************************************************
Two Part Time Certified Peer Specialists Sought for Central State Hospital
***********************************************************
Central State Hospital (CSH) is currently seeking 2 part-time Certified Peer Specialists to serve as role models and act as integral members of the Hospital Recovery Efforts. CSH's Certified Peer Specialists will utilize his/her personal recovery experience to instill a sense of hope and optimism for persons in recovery.
This is a great opportunity for motivated individuals who possess a positive attitude and the initiative to implement active Treatment Recovery Groups, including WRAP. Duties consist of developing and implementing consumer councils, conducting in-service training for staff and patients on recovery, and providing leisure/special activities during the day, evening, weekend and holiday programming for both civil and forensic programs.
For more information and to apply go to https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=640720.
|
********************************************************
"Strengthening Our Response for Improved Refuge Mental Health"
******************************************************** The Department of Behavioral Health (DBHDS) is having a one day conference - "Strengthening our Response for Improved Refuge Mental Health", in Harrisonburg on May 24th, the day after the VOCAL conference. The DBHDS conference is free, and though registrations are limited, there are still several spots open. Click this link http://tinyurl.com/6tsflad for more information and registration. The conference is from 8:30-4:00. In addition to workshops about cultural awareness, suicide prevention, substance use among refuges, specific refuge populations, and language considerations, there will be a showing of the movie, "CAN." Many of us have met Can Truong at Alternatives Conferences over the years. This movie tells the story of his recovery journey as a refuge and as a leader in the national mental health civil rights movement. This movie has been nominated for the 2012 SAMHSA Voice Awards
|
*****************************************************************
NEC Technical Assistance Center Presents a Webinar: "So You Want to Start a Peer-run Warmline? Ideas, Information, and Inspiration"
*****************************************************************
With Julio Brionez, Oryx Cohen, Trinity Guayante, and Angel Moore
Friday, May 11th from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Click here to register
(Registration will close at 5 pm on Thursday, May 10)
Peer-run warmlines are designed by and for people who have experience with mental health crisis, healing, and recovery. They are based on the principles of mutual support, healing through relationships, and the wisdom of lived experience. Peer-run warmlines represent important crisis alternatives in that they view crisis as a gateway to learning and growth. They can help reduce costly and often re-traumatizing psychiatric hospitalization, and help people to recover a sense of hope and purpose in their lives. Speakers from the David Romprey Oregon Warmline and the Montana Warmline will share their firsthand experience on the elements of a successful peer-run warmline, including the start-up phase, recruitment, outreach/promotion, and ongoing support of warmline workers. In addition, useful tips on using technology and social media to create a more cost-effective and efficient warmline will be provided.
|
***************************************** An Informational Alert by Fifth Freedom: A New
Workshop, "Navigating Advocating"
***************************************** Would you like to learn how to participate in the political process? Fifth Freedom is offering a new workshop at our website: "Navigating Advocating"! "Navigating Advocating" is a four-part training on civic involvement: - Voting - How to register to vote, update your registration info when you move, preview your ballot, and find your polling place, all online.
- Tracking legislation - How to track state and federal bills as they go through the legislative process.
- Tracking regulations - After a bill is passed, government organizations have to pass the regulations that actually enforce and enact the new law. Learn how to find and share your ideas about proposed regulations.
- Contacting legislators and other officials - Learn how to find your representatives' contact information and how to write letters and emails with influence and impact.
Read "Navigating Advocating" here: http://fifthfreedom.org/navigatingadvocating/ |
|
