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Certified Peer Specialist Position Open In Manassas
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Twenty (20) hours per week at Brandon House, Crisis Stabilization Program, from Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Responsibilities: Peer Specialists will be responsible for providing support services to adult clients with severe and persistent mental illness in need of short-term crisis stabilization. 

Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED and Peer Specialist certification are required. In addition, present or past use of behavioral health services and demonstrated recovery are necessary. Familiarity and experience with local mental health services, and Crisis Intervention experience preferred. 

Contact: Forward resume to: acovertbryant@fellowshiphr.org or fax to: 703-335-6522.

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US Army Adds Behavioral Health Screening To Primary
Care To Improve Outcomes For PTSD
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Eastern Henrico Peer to Peer (CVA)
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Peer to Peer meeting every other Wednesday night at:
Eastern Henrico Mental Health East Center
4825 South Laburnum Avenue in Henrico

Next meeting is June 20^th 6:30 -8:00 p.m.
Questions? Please feel free to contact Larry Almarode (804) 986-7129 or e-mail lalmarode@live.com

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Exploring the Intersection between Cultural
Competence and Peer to Peer Support
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Most of us would agree that the experience of receiving behavioral health services and the outcomes of those services are enhanced when those who have had lived experience are involved in the care and support of those requiring those services. BUT what are we doing to ensure that the Peer to Peer Support is also culturally and linguistically appropriate? How should state CLC coordinators and leaders of peer services support each other to facilitate cultural and linguistic competence? 

We will start that discussion on Tuesday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m.

Please join us AND please invite the appropriate persons within your state mental health department AND community based leaders for peer-to-peer, family-to-family, youth-to-youth  to be part of this discussion. To help us get started with the conversation we will be hearing from

 - Crystal Glover, University of Illinois at Chicago, National Research and Training Center, NAMI Support, Training and Resource (STAR) Center on the Tool to Assess Peer Program Cultural Competence
- Conni Wells , Consultant, Axis Group1 on the approach to cultural and linguistic competence taken in the Federation of Families' Parent Support Provider Certification and in California's  Working Well Together
- Wendy Jones , Senior Policy Associate, National Center for Cultural Competence on the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Family Organization Assessment Tool

We will use WEBINAR technology to share documents and display notes.

CONNECTING INSTRUCTIONS

Via WEBLINK

Use the link below and follow these instructions.

1) Enter as a GUEST.

2) Provide your NAME where prompted

3) Provide your PHONE NUMBER where prompted

3) The webinar will CALL YOU! (only use the audio/dial-in if your phone number includes an extension)

Weblink: http://georgetownuniversity.adobeconnect.com/stateclcnetwork/

 Audio  Tel - 800.832.0736       Room #: 27 92 585

 VIA AUDIO ONLY

If you will be not be at your computer and wish to join by phone, use the  call in information below.

Audio  Tel - 800.832.0736       Room #: 27 92 585

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Job Opening for Clinician (APTS) with Virginia Supportive Housing
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General Statement of Duties:

As part of the Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) A Place to Start (APTS) team, the Clinician provides a range of supportive services including assessments, service planning, symptoms management, housing stabilization, and crisis prevention and intervention to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. APTS is an evidence-based program that assists individuals with extensive histories of homelessness to secure and maintain housing and achieve their personal recovery goals. APTS is a multi-disciplinary team that includes a psychiatrist, nurses, clinicians and peer specialists. Supportive services are provided primarily in client apartments in the community. Periodic on-call and weekend duties are required.

An outcomes report for this successful program can be found here: http://virginiasupportivehousing.org/aptsreport/APTS_Brochure_FINAL.pdf

Qualifications:

* Master's degree in human services required. At least one year of direct service experience with individuals with low-incomes, mental health and/or substance abuse disorders and/or histories of homelessness preferred.

* Certifications in CPR and First Aid or a dedication and commitment to obtaining them within 3 months of hire.
* Excellent computer skills, with working knowledge of the primary Microsoft Office Suite programs

* Ability to successfully pass a background check and other pre-employment screening.

Compensation: Range $40,000 - $50,000 Commensurate with experience

Position closes on 6/27/12

To Apply: Interested applicants please e-mail cover letter and resume to jobs@virginiasupportivehousing.org

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Recovery Resources & Support Conducting Facilitator Training
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RRS will be conducting another WRAP Facilitator Training the second week of August and coordinating a Peer Support Specialist Training the second week of September in Richmond.

The WRAP Facilitator Training is the one and only quality program created by Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland.

Ike Powell will be coming to co-facilitate the Appalachian Consulting Group's Georgia model of Peer Support Specialist Training. This training will be open to any peer in or out of Virginia with a common application process. Call for more details. * This is not a state-funded training so scholarship opportunities may not be available.  

If any of Virginia's peer support specialist trainers of the Georgia model are interested in co-facilitating this training with Ike Powell, please know we're working to pair him up with a Virginia trainer. If you're interested in being considered for this paid opportunity, please call Heather Seaman at 804-314-6316.

We hope all of our peers in Virginia are enjoying much peace and wellness as we start what's probably going to be a very hot summer - call Heather Seaman at 804-314-6316 if you're interested in either of the above trainings.  

WRAP Facilitator opportunities and Peer Support Specialist positions are opening up across Virginia!

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"Changing Course: New Directions in Mental Health and Recovery" With
Mary Ellen Copeland and Robert Whitaker
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Thursday, June 14^th, from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Join author and journalist Robert Whitaker and mental health educator Mary Ellen Copeland for this important webinar.Respected and rigorous research is showing that mental health challenges are "episodic", which means that they go away over time. Psychiatric medications can cause long term health problems like diabetes, obesity, and sexual dysfunction. These problems do not necessarily resolve when the medications are no longer being taken, and the mental health issues may become more extreme than before.

Robert Whitaker will give an overview of his important book, Anatomy of an Epidemic. As he searched for answers to the troubling question of why the number of disabled mentally ill in the US had tripled over the past two decades, his investigation led to an intensive study of the merits of psychiatric medications and his documentation of the phenomenon that occurs when people who have been taking medications for a long time no longer take them. He found that they experience mental health challenges that are far worse than anything they experienced before they began taking the medications.

Mary Ellen Copeland will share her vision of a mental health system where people who reach out for assistance and support are first encouraged to use their own personal resources to find simple, safe solutions to their mental health challenges. She will speak specifically to the efficacy of using the evidence-based Wellness Recovery Action Plan as the initial and primary support on the journey to recovery.

Click here for more information and to register:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/414815536

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Eighth Annual "The Art of Recovery" Exhibit Traveling Exhibit
Locations and Dates Announced
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The Art of Recovery provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, address misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and experience community support.  A record number 170 submissions were received from across the state. A total of 60 pieces from 38 artists were displayed. A total of 17 pieces were sold during the month. (Sold pieces will not be a part of the traveling exhibit.)

The Walkerton Tavern, Henrico: June 2 - 20

The exhibit will once again travel to the beautiful Walkerton Tavern for display from June 2 through June 20, 2012. The Walkerton Tavern is located at 2892 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. This is the third consecutive year they have hosted this exhibit. It will be a part of the first annual Mountain Road Art Exhibit. The traveling exhibit is being coordinated in partnership with the Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services Board. A public reception will be held June 3, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. An agency reception will be held June 6, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Walkerton Tavern hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Richmond:
June 25 - July 13

At the invitation of Commissioner James Stewart, pieces from the exhibit will also be on display at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) from June 25 through July 13, 2012. An open house will be held Thursday, July 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Jefferson Building, 1220 Bank Street, Richmond. Artists are encouraged to attend.

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Opening for Case Manager (HomeLink) with Virginia Supportive Housing
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General Statement of Duties:
As part of the Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) support services team, the Case Manger provides a range of supportive services including assessments, service planning, housing stabilization, and crisis prevention and intervention to VSH clients. The VSH support services team assists formerly homeless individuals, including individuals with substance abuse disorders, mental health conditions, and individuals with HIV/AIDS to maintain housing and achieve their personal goals. Services are provided in permanent supportive housing sites that are owned and operated by VSH or in scattered-site apartments in the Richmond community.

Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in human services and at least one year of direct service experience with individuals with low-incomes, mental health and/or substance abuse disorders and/or histories of homelessness.
* Expertise in medical, mental health case management and/or HIV services strongly preferred.
* Certifications in CPR and First Aid or a dedication and commitment to obtaining them within 3 months of hire.
* Excellent computer skills, with working knowledge of the primary Microsoft Office Suite programs
* Ability to successfully pass a background check and other pre-employment screening.

Compensation: Range $35,000 - $45,000 Commensurate with experience

Closing Date: Position closes on 6/27/12

To Apply: Interested applicants please e-mail cover letter and resume to jobs@virginiasupportivehousing.org

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Free Third Thursdays Workshop on June 21^st in Charlottesville
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7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Orange Hill Wellness Center, 401 Orange Street

"How to Improve & Maintain Your Physical & Psychological Health: THROW EVERYTHING AT IT!"

Invite a friend for an informal evening of discussion and interactive activities.

If you would like to register or would like more information, call 434-977-6918 or Workshop@CareerWithHeart.com

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.