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VOCAL Board Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, August 1st
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This is an extra Board meeting, and is open to all members.

Please note: VOCAL does not reimburse for mileage nor provides lunch to guests.

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Eastern Henrico Peer to Peer Support Group's New Time
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Peer to Peer Meeting every other Wednesday night at Eastern Henrico Mental Health East Center 4825 South Laburnum Avenue, Henrico

Next meeting is August 1^st  from 6:00 -7:00PM; then, August 15 and August 29 

Any questions, please feel free to contact Larry Almarode (804) 986-7129 or e-mail at lalmarode@live.com

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Annual National Peer Specialist Conference in Philadelphia, September 6-8
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From September 6^th through 8^th, leading experts from across North America will meet in historic Philadelphia at the Sheraton Society Hill, 2^nd and Walnut streets, to share their knowledge and skills with peer supporters - individuals with mental health conditions who are employed to help their peers work toward recovery - at the Sixth Annual National Peer Specialist Conference organized by the National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS). At the conference, whose theme is "The Recovery Revolution," participants will learn about the latest innovations and emerging practices, new job opportunities, and national trends in the field.

In addition to 24 interactive workshops, plenary presentations will include "The Peer Movement as a Civil Rights Movement" and "An Overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Peer Support Initiative," where Daniel O'Brien-Mazza, National Director of Peer Support Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, will be a featured speaker.

"This promises to be an inspirational and highly motivational event with opportunities for mental health peer supporters to network and learn from each other regardless of their tasks and work setting," said Steve Harrington, Executive Director of the National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS), which is sponsoring the event. "And Recovery Revolution is a fitting theme as it marks a true turning point in the delivery of mental health services and the conference site is two blocks from the historic Liberty Bell and Independence Hall."

Prior to the conference, three pre-conference institutes will be held at the Sheraton Society Hill Sept. 4-5, 2012. One of these institutes, "Wellness Solutions 1.0: Uncensored Innovations," a two-day event, will feature two presentations by acclaimed journalist Robert Whitaker, author of "Anatomy of an Epidemic" and "Mad in America." The other pre-conference institutes are a two-day Advanced Peer Specialist Training, which builds upon a two-week online preparation training with in-class practice to achieve an advanced peer specialist certificate. Another institute is a one-day Recovery Peer Leadership workshop, on Sept. 5, 2012, that is designed to enhance the ability of peers to lead with ideas and lived experience, regardless of their position within an organization.

The cost of the three-day conference is $225 before August 1. A special lodging group discount of $159 (single/double) expires on Aug. 1. Other pre-conference events and institutes are an additional charge (register with each organization separately).

More information about the conference is available by visiting the National Conference page on the newly redesigned National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS) website:

http://na4ps.wordpress.com/naps-annual-conference.

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South County Recovery and Drop-In Center Offers "Recovery Academy"
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Based on the structure of a Community College, PRS and South County Recovery and Drop-In Center now offers "The Recovery Academy".  The Academy is designed to provide a targeted educational curriculum in 12-Week Blocks.  The Academy supports an environment where you can focus on your recovery goals and become empowered to move into alternatives, such as meaningful employment (either volunteer or paid).  Individuals who complete classes earn certificates of achievement.

Do you know a consumer who could benefit from:

• GED Preparation
• Intro to Recovery
• Anger Management
• WRAP
• Stress Management
• Grieving Mental Illness
• Money Management
• Spirituality

These are the kinds of classes South County co-leads with PRS.  Services are completely confidential and free of charge. No referrals needed/no requirements to meet.

Classes Begin today and run for 12 weeks. It is not too late to register.

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Employment Specialist Position Open at Virginia Supportive Housing
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As part of the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) support services team, the Employment Specialist provides a full range of vocational assistance to VSH program participants to aid them in securing and maintaining competitive employment in the community. The Employment Specialist networks in the community with employers and workforce development partners to identify job opportunities and assists participants on the job site with learning job tasks and managing the work environment. Significant field work and local travel is required.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree required. At least two years direct services experience with individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders or related populations preferred

* Excellent computer skills, with working knowledge of the primary Microsoft Office Suite programs
  * Must not have convictions for barrier crimes as defined by DBHDS for licensed provider organizations.

* Valid driver's license and ability to meet VSH driving requirements is required.

Compensation: Starts at $35,000, with full benefits

To apply: Send resume and cover letter to

Please indicate the position in the email subject line.

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Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center to Launch New Programming Initiative
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Beginning Wednesday, August 1st, Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center is changing their programming schedule. The following are the highlights of the new schedule. The calendar will be posted (at the latest) by the 4th Wednesday of each month on the website at: friends4recovery.org. 

Daily programming:

1-2PM Peer Support Groups

2-3:30 Core Programming (Monday - Wrap, Wednesday - Mental Agility, Friday - Tech/Employment Skills)

2 45 Minute refresher classes will run at the same time as the Core programming to support the theme of the day

3:30-4 Snack Break

4-5PM Whole Health Programming (Fitness, Nutrition, Budgeting,Guest Speakers, etc..) 

5-5:30PM Community Forum

5:30-6PM Volunteer Time

If you'd like to volunteer your services to the center to support this new programming, please contact Larry Almarode at 804-308-1366 or email: larry@friends4recovery.org 

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Position Open in Vermont at "Another Way, Inc."
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Another Way Inc. seeks an Executive Director to manage our small and vibrant peer-run community center in Montpelier, Vt. that offers support, advocacy and resources to psychiatric survivors.  This is a full-time administrative and direct service position with responsibility for managing operations of the non-profit, maintaining a strong funding base, representing the organization in the community, interacting regularly with Another Way members, and assuring effective working relationships among staff, board, and agencies essential to Another Way's success.   

Experiential knowledge of the mental health system as a consumer/survivor/ex-patient is desired.  Send cover letter and resume by August 1st to anotherwayvt@gmail.com

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"Intro to Computers" at Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center
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Friday, August 3^rd from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.   

9511 Hull Street Rd, Suite A Richmond, 23236

804-308-1366

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.