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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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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 Has New Computer Lab!
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All the computers in the new lab at Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center are connected to high speed internet and are loaded with MS Office 2010. An "Intro To Computers" Class will be taught every Friday in August at 2:00 p.m. to familiarize members with the basic operation of the computers.   

For further information, call 804.308.1366

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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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NEC's Wellness Works Initiative
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As part of National Recovery Month, SAMHSA is launching the second annual National Wellness Week from September 17^th -23^rd to promote the many ways that social inclusion, trauma-informed care, and the Eight Dimensions of Wellness can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy for people diagnosed with mental health issues.

During National Wellness Week, we aim to inspire individuals to improve one's physical health behavior, while exploring their talents, skills, interests, social connections, and environment to incorporate other dimensions of wellness. We will mobilize peer-run, faith-based and other community organizations, as well as mental health, substance addiction and physical healthcare providers to host events or promote messages encouraging the Eight Dimensions of Wellness (Emotional, Financial, Social, Spiritual, Occupational, Physical, Intellectual, and Environmental).

Wellness Works Initiative

As part of National Wellness Week (September 17-23, 2012), Peerlink, the National Empowerment Center, and the other Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers-the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse, NAMI Star Center, and the Family Cafe TA Center - invite you to submit a piece of original creative work expressing what wellness means in your lives and for your communities.

Your submissions will help raise public awareness about the importance of

embracing a wellness-based perspective, in mental health services as well as our

communities at large.

Submission guidelines:

Submissions are due September 9^th. Selected works will be showcased on the

web. Please email your original submissions to wellnessworks@power2u.org.

Submissions can include:

One poem (limit 3 pages)

One piece of visual art (attached as a .JPEG or .PDF file)

One song (attached as an .MP3 file)

One digital video (5 minutes or less; send YouTube/other hyperlink or .MP4 digital

video file) 

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Interactive Webinars on the Health Care Law
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Go to:http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/resources/aca_101-invite.html

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National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse Monthly National

Networking Teleconference
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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. (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, August 20th, 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.

IMPORTANT: If you join the call, please do not place it on "hold" because the "hold" function often triggers music or beeping that interferes with the ability of participants to hear.

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.