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NAMI CAN!
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Action
AB 154 (Beall) Requires health plans and those health insurance policies that provide coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, to provide coverage for the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of a mental illness of a person of any age, including a child, under the same terms and conditions applied to other medical conditions, including but not limited to maximum lifetime benefits, copayments, and individual and family deductibles. It defines mental illness as a mental disorder classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) and includes coverage for substance abuse and it requires the benefits provided under this bill to include outpatient services; inpatient hospital services; partial hospital services; and, prescription drugs, if the plan contract already includes coverage for prescription drugs.
As you have read here before, passage of this mental health/substance use treatment insurance parity bill is a top priority for NAMI California so we will keep you informed about every opportunity to work on its behalf. The bill cleared the Assembly last month and is soon to go to the Senate Health Community. Here is the letter we have sent to that committee. We hope that you will use our letter or personalize it and send it to one or all of the Health Committee members.
Clicking on the member's link will take you to his or her district map and/or e-mail button.
Budget HearingsPolicy committees are not the only happening thing at the capitol these days. The combined Senate and Assembly Budget subcommittees are very busy. To keep you in the loop, here are schedules of Assembly/Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 plus the Select Committee on Disabilities. http://sbud.senate.ca.gov/agenda Kathleen Derby and Bettie Reinhardt will attend the meeting on Tuesday, February 21. If you open the agenda, you will see that its focus includes reorganization so Bettie will speak to the outcomes that the Board stated in its position on reorganization. Judy Wolen, NAMI California lobbyist, and Jessica Cruz will cover the meeting on Thursday, February 23. In addition, Jessica will be part of Assembly Member Chesbro's Select Committee on Disabilities panel on community mental health that day, http://disabilities.assembly.ca.gov/sites/disabilities.assembly.ca.gov/files/hearings/AGENDA%20-%20MH%202-9-12.pdf. The next big day for us, as far as we know now, is April 12th when Mental Health Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal, and State Hospitals are discussed. Please note that you can click the link on the agenda page to listen to the budget subcommittee hearings.
Another avenue is to go to http://www.legislature.ca.gov/the_state_legislature/calendar_and_schedules/audio_tv.html.
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Learn More About the Duals Demonstration and Managed Care
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As you know from the February NAMI California newsletter, the Brown Administration released legislative language in early February that proposes to implement its Coordinated Care Initiative. Through this three-year initiative, starting in 2013, the Administration proposes to expand coordinated care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including dual eligibles.
This is an invitation to join leaders from the Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services on a public teleconference to walk through the proposed "trailer bill" language that would implement the Coordinated Care Initiative.
Please note that the legislative language released February 7 described only the intent to enhance coordination of long-term supports and services. DHCS intends to release more trailer bill language that details this aspect of the proposal. This forthcoming language will augment -- not replace -- the existing Coordinated Care Initiative trailer bill language.
Teleconference Details:
11 am to 12 pm on Wednesday, February 22
Register here through Maestro Conference for your unique call-in and pin numbers.
You do not need to be online to participate in the call. If you need help registering or need a toll-free number, please e-mail CalDuals or call 916-552-8684.
You may find the proposed legislative language and background materials at www.CalDuals.org. Additionally, here are two short documents DHCS has released:
- one-page overview of the Coordinated Care Initiative, and
- a fact sheet on coordinated care.
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NAMI California's 2012 Annual Conference: Applications for Workshops
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NAMI California's 2012 Annual Conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California on Friday August 17th & Saturday August 18th. We are now accepting applications for workshops. This year's theme is "All of Us Together: Advocacy in Action".
All applications must be submitted with this attached form.
Please include a brief biographical sketch of each presenter, along with the title and proposed objective for your workshop. The may be up to a total of four presenters per workshop. You are responsible for your own LCD projectors; TVs and VCRs may be rented at the hotel.
Completed forms must be received by April 6th, 2012.
Fax or email them to:
NAMI California
Attn: Nikki Townsend
nikki.townsend@namicalifornia.org
(916) 567-0163 office (916) 567-1757 fax
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CMH Offers Small Counties Webinar Series on Wellness Centers and Peer Driven Programs
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Please join CMH for a 4-part series of webinars outlining best practices, models and strategies for developing and implementing wellness centers and peer-driven programs in small counties on March 2, March 30, April 27, and May 18.
Webinar 1: Recovery Perspectives in Wellness Models
(Presenter: Anne MacRae):
Why Wellness? Changing focus from a medical to a social model. An overview and history of the concept of recovery (personal and clinical). The role of the professional in peer driven models. Professional-Peer collaboration
Date: Friday, March 2
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Webinar 2: Wellness Centers: Models and Programming
(Facilitator: Anne MacRae; Invited speakers from various counties):
Infrastructure, Financial Sustainability, Special Issues
Date: Friday, March 30
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Webinar 3: Employees with Lived Experience within County Systems
(Facilitator and presenter - Anne MacRae; additional presentations by invited speakers):
Models of employment, Supervision versus mentoring, Employment evaluations
Date: Friday, April 27
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Webinar 4: Sustainability and Funding Streams
(Facilitator: Anne MacRae)
Funding and Sustainability, Outcome measures, Closure and Action Plan: Where do we go from here?
Date: Friday, May 18
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Reserve your Webinar seats now.
Click here to register for the entire series.
or register for individual sessions:
Webinar #1, March 2:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/607661441
Webinar #2, March 30:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/707160017
Webinar #3, April 27:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/662991592
Webinar #4, May 18:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/371038289
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
For more information, contact:
Shoshana Zatz
Associate II
California Institute for Mental Health
2125 19th Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 556-3480, ext. 141 (office)
(530) 219-0862 (cell)
szatz@cimh.org
www.cimh.org
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Spanish LGBTQ Survey
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Miembros de la comunidad lesbiana, gay, bisexual, transgenero (LGBT) continúan a enfrentar obstáculos en recibir los servicios apropiados para sus necesidades.
¡Necesitamos tu voz!
Para llenar la encuesta, haga un "copy and paste" de este URL en su "browser":
www.tinyURL.com/LGBTReducingDisparities-vS .
Esta encuesta es para cualquier persona a la cual su orientación sexual, identidad de género y/o expresión de género posiblemente no cabe en las expectativas de la sociedad, sus amigos o familiares. Y también es para los padres/guardias de individuos de la comunidad LGBT.
Sabemos que no todos se identifican como personas LGBT. Cuando usamos estas siglas comunes, también nos referimos a las varias diversas formas que los miembros de la comunidad se identifican incluyendo, pero no limitado a:
Del Ambiente * Downe * Gender Queer * Intersex * Pansexual * Same Gender Loving * Stud * Transgenero * Two Spirit
Esta encuesta es para ti, no importa la descripción que uses para tu identidad o si has preguntado si eres persona LGBT.
Por favor adelante esta encuesta a tus amigos y familiares en california.
¡Llene la encuesta y promueve la ahora!
www.tinyURL.com/LGBTReducingDisparities-vS
Por favor publique el "link" en Facebook, Twitter, etc.
La encuesta del Proyecto para Reducir Disparidades en la comunidad LGBTQ va explorar la discriminación, desigualdades y necesidades de californianos a los cual su orientación sexual, identidad de género y/o expresión posiblemente no cabe en las expectativas de la sociedad.
Si usted quisiera información sobre el proyecto por favor pónganse en contacto con
Poshi Mikalson, Project Manager al
o al
916-520-4528
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Family to Family Trainings
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We are excited to be offering three family program trainings in the next two months.
Please see the schedule below:
Northern California
NAMI Basics Training
Date: March 9-11, 2012
City: Santa Clara
Southern California
Spanish de Familia a Familia Teacher Training
Date: March 30 - April 1, 2012
City: Santa Ana
Interested in volunteering? Please contact your local affiliate for an application.
--Lynn Cathy
Director of Family Programs
Lynn.Cathy@namicalifornia.org
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Inside NAMI California's New Website
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 The new NAMI California website launched February 15, 2012, putting a fresh face on the organization and making it easier for visitors to find exactly what they're after. The user-friendly site locates announcements and events at the top-center, where you'll discover pertinent news and compelling stories.The left side of the page features a newly designed set of navigation buttons. Move your mouse over key categories and instantly find your topic.
Ever wonder how a new site is developed?
NAMI California Executive Director Jessica Cruz was the driving force behind the look and feel of the new site," said Jocelyn Munroe, CEO of Big Tomato Tech, who managed the project. "Although the old site had served the organization well for many years, it didn't take advantage of newer World Wide Web features, had a lot of irrelevant content, and was difficult for staff to update."
The NAMI California Board of Directors reviewed the design and NAMI staff set to work with Big Tomato Tech to develop it. NAMI California staffers spent untold hours reviewing content, updating information and deleting obsolete material.
"Everyone wanted the new site to be easier for NAMI California visitors to find immediate help on issues and subjects important to them," Munroe said. "Plus, the Web is exploding with better options to show graphics, video and interactive features and the new site needed to incorporate that functionality. We also needed to give NAMI California the ability to input information quickly and easily in response to breaking news and legislative alerts, without having to have a programmer do it for them."
NAMI California is grateful to its board, its staff members, Big Tomato Tech, and content manager Gabby Hyman for delivering an attractive, efficient website.
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TAY Unconvention, Stockton
| | The Central Region Partnership Stars Behavioral Healthcare and the California Youth Empowerment Network are organizing the "TAY Unconvention" In Stockton, March 16, 2012.
Topics are of interest to TAY Peer to Peer workers, Tay providers, agency and county staff in the field of Tay mental health. Come be a teacher or student on how Tay can improve services in the central region.
To register, go to http://centralregiontayuncon.eventbrite.com.
For more details, visit the TAY Facebook page.
Contact: Jordan Moniz by email or at (916) 482-2370, ext 313. |
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Please Welcome California's NAMI National Veteran and Military Council Representative
| | NAMI National has convened its National NAMI Veteran and Military Council (NVMC) and NAMI California would like to welcome and introduce our representative to the newly formed committee, Doug Stephens. Doug is the Chair of NAMI Sonoma County's local Vet Council and the Chair of the Sonoma County Mental Health Board. As a Viet Nam vet his mission and passion is for our veterans, active duty personnel from all branches, their families, friends, loved ones, caregivers and anyone affected by the mental health challenges we face today and for many years to come.
He will be receiving several reports, articles and essays from NVMC and other sources concerning our veterans of all eras, active duty military, Reservists and National Guard members. The information received is reasonably current and relevant to the lives of our troops and their families. This information will be shared through NAMI California's Weekly Reports, Monthly Newsletters and on our website.
We know California has affiliates that have active Veterans/Military Programs. We would appreciate you sharing this information to support Mr. Stephens as our representative and also our current veterans and military servicemen/women and their families. We would be happy to post information about your programs on our website.
If you have any questions or comments on the National NAMI Veteran and Military Council, please email Doug Stephens at douglasastephens@yahoo.com or NAMI California at nami.california@namicalifornia.org. |
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Save the Date!
| | 2012 NAMI CA Annual Statewide Conference
When: Friday, August 17th & Saturday, August 18th
Where: Marriot Hotel, Irvine, CA
More information to come!
Hope to see you there!
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Contact Information
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Weekly Report
NAMI California
1010 Hurley Way
Suite 195
Sacramento, CA, 95825
Phone: 916-567-0163 Fax: 916-567-1757
www.namicalifornia.org
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