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News You Can Use!
VOCAL's Mental Health Recovery
News for June 25, 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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VOCAL Board of Directors' Meeting ThisWednesday, June 27th
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This is an open meeting.
10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Quaker Meeting House
1104 Forest Street in Charlottesville, 22903
Please note: VOCAL does not reimburse for mileage nor provides lunch for guests.
And from Ann Conner, VOCAL Board of Directors' President....
I would like to invite all interested Board, staff and members to remain (or to come) after the Board meeting between 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. to give input regarding the priorities for VOCAL's new Executive Director job description.
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The VOCAL E-Digest Editor...
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will be taking a vacation!
Therefore there will be no e-digests during the week of July 2 - 6.
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Central Peer Connect To Meet on July 10 at Chester House
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12:30-2:00 p.m.
11814 Chester Road, Chester 23831 |
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New "Drop-In" WRAP Group in Richmond
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Ongoing group, starting on July 7th for anyone facing mental health challenges.
Every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. - Noon at Lakeside House
Lakeside House is located at 5623 Lakeside Avenue in Henrico (23228)
For further information, email: wrapnrecovery@gmail.com or call 804.727.8540/804.727.8555 |
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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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Eastern Henrico Peer to Peer Support Group
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Eastern Henrico Peer to Peer Support Group meets every other Wednesday night at:
Eastern Henrico Mental Health East Center
4825 South Laburnum Avenue
Henrico, Virginia.
Our next meeting is June 27th from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. and we will get back on schedule on July 18th due to the July 4th holiday.
Any questions, please feel free to contact Larry Almarode (804) 986-7129 or e-mail at lalmarode@live.com
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New MindFreedom Campaign Defies Hopelessness
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Today, MindFreedom International launches the I Got Better campaign with an invitation for you to participate in this Survey on Hope in Mental Health:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mfi-igb-intro
This brief, confidential introductory questionnaire takes less than five (5) minutes to complete.
I Got Better is an ongoing project defying the all-too-common message that recovery from mental and emotional distress is impossible. The I Got Better campaign will make stories of recovery and hope in mental health widely available through a variety of media.
Your Participation Could Save a Life
Any and everybody with a stake in mental health in our society is welcome to participate, including people who have used mental health services, psychiatric survivors, as well as their friends, family members, colleagues, and mental health workers. Please share the survey link -https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mfi-igb-intro - freely via email, facebook, twitter, blogs, etc.
Respondents to the survey wishing to share additional knowledge will be invited to take an optional follow-up survey about impressions of hope and hopelessness in mental health care, and successful strategies for recovery. Some survey respondents will be asked to share their story on video.
David Oaks, Director of MindFreedom International, said, "When I was in psychiatric care in college, I was told it was forever. Your experience of hope and hopelessness in mental health care could help youth and young adults receiving a psychiatric diagnosis for the first time. Hope could save a life."
The Story Behind I Got Better
The title of the I Got Better campaign is inspired by the successful It Gets Better viral media effort led by columnist Dan Savage that "shows LGBT youth the levels of happiness their lives will reach." While the I Got Better and It Gets Better campaigns are independent, Dan Savage has enthusiastically endorsed I Got Better.
The I Got Better campaign is funded by a grant from the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care to MindFreedom International. MFI is an independent nonprofit coalition founded in 1986 to win human rights and alternatives in mental health. For more information contact news@mindfreedom.org, or call the MFI office at 541-345-9106.
To take the brief, confidential introductory I Got Better survey, which will be active through 15 October 2012, click here now:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mfi-igb-intro
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Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Falls Church
Announces Job Opportunities
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Part-time volunteer and paid job opportunities available for mental health consumers interested in becoming Peer Support Specialists.
- Three team players wanted to facilitate mental health support groups in Reston/Herndon and Falls Church, Pathways to Recovery, and our Mental Health Recovery Weekend Retreat. Peer Support Specialist training included with a minimum commitment of two years.
- Part time Financial Assistant wanted to keep accounts on Quick Books Online Program, assist with auditing, file necessary reports with Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, pay contractors and bills, and file taxes and licenses. Knowledge of Quick Books, accounting, and taxes required.
Please contact Anne N. Cowley, LCSW, Executive Director DBSAFC, at 703-354-5104 or ANC436@aol.com. E-mailed or attached resumes would be helpful.
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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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WRAP for Everyday Lives: A Webinar with Gina Calhoun and Dina McFalls
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July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Gina Calhoun, The Copeland Center's National Director of Recovery and Wellness Education, and Dina McFalls, Director of Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care, present WRAP for Everyday Lives, based on the Wellness Recovery Action Plan, a system developed by Mary Ellen Copeland and a group of people with mental health challenges. This system supports a person to discover/rediscover their skills and strengths, while staying as well as possible on a daily basis.
They will be introducing the infinitely do-able structure of WRAP to adults with distinct learning needs. Through the experience and expertise of several people with various intellectual abilities, they have developed a language for describing the parts of WRAP that accepts each person, as they are, unique, special individuals.
For more details and to register, visit the event page on our new website.
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Ticket to Work Webinar on June 27th
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Some people with disabilities may be able to work and continue receiving disability benefits. On June 27, tune in to a special webinar and learn about the Social Security administration's Ticket to Work program and other work incentives.
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
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
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Northwest Peer Connect to Meet at a New Time on Wednesday, July 11th **************************************************************
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the August County Library in Fishersville (right off Rt. 250E/W)
Please be prompt so that we may start on time.
If you have any agenda items, please email to: Clyde.Hoy@dbhds.virginia.gov
Augusta County Library Phone: 540-885-3961
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Recovery Resources & Support Conducting WRAP Facilitator
Training and Peer Specialist 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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VOPA Conducts Outreach on Children's Mental Health Waiver
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As an adolescent, Emily and her family struggled to find the mental health services she needed, and Emily had several admissions to psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Fortunately, Emily was able to return to her family home with home and community based wraparound services made available through the Children's Mental Health (CMH) Program. With lots of personal dedication, support from her family, and help from home and community based mental health professionals, Emily graduated high school, works, and is a valued member of her community!
The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) is working with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the state Medicaid agency, to spread the word about the Children's Mental Health (CMH) Program. The CMH Program provides home and community based services in the form of a Medicaid waiver as an alternative to long stays at psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). VOPA has partnered with peer specialists to provide information on CMH Program eligibility and enrollment and has conducted outreach with a variety of groups interested in children's mental health issues.
The CMH Program serves individuals under the age of 21 with serious mental health issues who are currently residing in PRTFs. The goal of the program is to help strengthen and empower families by providing wraparound services to eligible children and adolescents in their homes and communities as an alternative to remaining in a PRTF.
Services available through the program include
- environmental modifications to the home or vehicle;
- companion care for the child/youth;
- therapeutic consultation/evaluation;
- in-home support;
- respite services for the family/caregiver;
- family caregiver training; and
- transition coordination services (assistance with organizing the transfer from a PRTF to the home).
To be eligible for the program a child/youth must
- be under the age of 21;
- have been in a Medicaid approved PRTF for at least 90 days;
- have a psychiatric diagnosis; and
- have a foster or biological family willing to take the child home.
Enrollment in the CMH Program ends September 30, 2012. However, participants already enrolled by that date will continue to receive program benefits as long as they remain in the CMH Program. For additional information on the CMH Program, contact VOPA at 1-800-552-3962 or DMAS at 804-225-3961.
VOPA is the designated Protection and Advocacy organization for Virginia. VOPA helps clients with disability-related problems like abuse, neglect, and discrimination. For more information about VOPA and to give us feedback on our work, please visit our website at www.vopa.virginia.gov and participate in our VOPA Public Input Survey! We'd really like to know what you think!
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"Strengthening Our Response for Improved Refugee Mental
Health" in RIC and Hampton
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Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center, 1021 Koger Center Boulevard, Richmond 23235
August 14th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Register here- http://tinyurl.com/6rj3g6h
Although refugees benefit from protective factors such as spirituality and strong family support, they face enormous social and economic factors that expose them to higher levels of stress and disadvantages due to poverty, unemployment, lack of English proficiency, discrimination and the trauma associated with the immigrant experience. As many states become more diverse, it challenges providers in the mental health system to adopt culturally and linguistically competent ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and address barriers to appropriate and timely mental health services.
DBHDS is hosting a free training for mental health providers, refugee staff, volunteers dedicated to exploring critical topics in refugee mental health. This conference is ideal for all professionals providing service, formally or informally, to immigrants and refugees. These professionals include health care practitioners, policymakers, settlement practitioners, volunteers, sponsorship agreement holders, educators, general practitioners, psychiatrists, multicultural liaison workers, translators, other human-related service providers, immigrants, refugees and consumers interested in the practice of Mental Health.
This conference will be offered for FREE under the Office of Newcomer Services -Virginia Refugee Health Prevention Grant and hosted by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Six contact hours will be provided by DBHDS.
IMPORTANT NOTE- please do not register for this conference if you are not sure that you can attend. Although this conference is offered free of charge, we make seating and refreshment plans based on the number of people registered. You will receive a confirmation email the day of the registration deadline. Please let us know if you are not able to make it once you have registered.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 6th. For questions, contact Cecily Rodriguez at
This one day conference will also be available on Monday, August 13th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at: Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina
700 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA 23669
Register here- http://tinyurl.com/6v4aswf
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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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