nami weekly news and calendar
February 4, 2014
2014
NAMI California Annual Conference
"Growing Minds in Changing Times" 
August 1st & 2nd
Marriot Newport Beach
Now Taking Early Bird Discount Registration. 

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THIS WEEK
NAMI Can!
NAMI CA Programs News
NAMI Can!

NAMI Regional Meetings in Kern, Tulare Counties a Success

NAMI California recently conducted Regional Meetings in Bakersfield on January 29 and Visalia on January 28. These meetings brought together local NAMI affiliates and representatives from county mental health departments in day-long trainings, panels and feedback sessions. Over two days, 60 people participated in the NAMI Smarts Training for Advocacy, learning the best way to present their life experience to policy makers.

 

The afternoon sessions saw 19 county mental health representatives presenting the successes and challenges of mental health delivery within their county, and the subsequent breakout sessions facilitated discussion between county and NAMI affiliate members. Together, the two groups identified MHSA programming that was working within the county and what areas need to be strengthened. They also defined collaboration opportunities within the county, and defined a path to support the important work that each affiliate takes on to advocate for better outcomes on behalf of the people they serve.  

With support of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), NAMI California undertakes these efforts with the singular focus of supporting our regional affiliates by enhancing their advocacy efforts and identifying pathways to greater collaboration and understanding.

 

Special thanks to Ralph and Denise Nelson in NAMI Tulare and Marie Neel and William Lester at NAMI Kern for their tireless work. Their outreach efforts and logistical support were invaluable to the process.

 

Look for a NAMI California Regional Meeting coming to your area soon!

 

ACTION ALERT: Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission Public Forum in Emeryville on February 20.

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) will hold a Community Forum on the Impact and Progress of the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) at the Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/ Oakland Bay Bridge 1800 Powell Street, Emeryville on Thursday, February 20th from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. These forums offer local advocates the opportunity to give the MHSOAC an understanding of what works in your region and what needs are not being addressed.

 

Input from local advocates during these meetings are the best and most expedient way to communicate the challenges faced by those affected by mental illness and their families, and offer the opportunity to directly influence state policy makers.

 

NAMI California strongly urges local affiliate members to take part in this important effort!

 

Contact David Czarnecki at NAMI California should you need more information about the Community Forum at [email protected].

 

The California Institute for Mental Health (CiMH) AB109 Public Safety Realignment Presents Free Webinar on February 25th

The CiMH will present a webinar, "Promoting Recovery through Forensic Peer Support" on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (PST)

 

This webinar will provide an overview of the evidence supporting forensic peer specialists in re-entry services and supports for persons with histories of mental illness and criminal justice involvement. Core principles, direct care roles, strategies and challenges will be covered. Presenters will describe a model for forensic peer support that features the concept of "citizenship" or sense of community belonging as an integral component.

 

Who should attend? Consumers of mental health and substance use services who are justice-involved, peer support providers, consumer advocates, mental health workers/clinicians/clinical supervisors, substance use counselors, program coordinators/managers, agency directors, probation officers, deputies and chiefs, sheriffs and sheriff deputies involved in re-entry and treatment services for AB109 clients.

 

Register HERE.

 

Location: GoToWebinar (Logon link will be provided after registration)

 

For more information, contact: Sheron Wright at [email protected] 

 

NAMI National Alert: Act Now to Prevent Restrictions on Psychiatric Medications in Medicare

The Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule to restrict access to anti-depressant and anti-psychotic medications in the Medicare Part D program.

 

Historically, Medicare Part D Plans have been required to include on their preferred drug lists all or substantially all psychiatric medications in recognition that personal choice and clinical judgment are critically important in decisions about these medications. The proposed rule would restrict the availability of anti-depressant medications in 2015 and restrict the availability of anti-psychotic medications in 2016.

 

NAMI has long supported preserving open access to all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications in the Medicare Part D program. Restricting access to psychiatric medications can be extremely harmful for individuals living with serious mental illness, including increased hospitalizations and other negative consequences. At a time when national attention is focused on improving mental health care, a rule restricting access to psychiatric medications does not make sense.

Final comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by March 7, 2014. NAMI will circulate sample comments prior to that date.

 

Click on this LINK to send a letter to your U.S. Representative and Senators and ask them to communicate with CMS that they oppose implementation of this proposed rule.

 

California Rep. Waxman, Passionate Advocate For Medicaid And Public Health Issues, Announces His Retirement

Waxman's announcement comes just weeks after fellow California House member and health care advocate George Miller announced that he will not seek reelection. In the Senate, three other Democrats with high-profiles on health care - long-time Medicaid advocate Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa-are also leaving. The departures have caused concern among health care groups that Congress is losing some of its strongest advocates for the poor and underserved.

 

"It's a whole generation of leadership in health care that we will have to replace," said John Rother, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care, whose members include the AFL-CIO, CVS Caremark and Verizon. "We are losing some giants and it will be hard to replace them. It will take time."

 

Read the entire article HERE.

 

-- Caliph Assagai

Legislation and Public Policy Director

NAMI California Advocacy Survey 

[email protected] 

 

--David Czarnecki
Advocacy Coordinator
[email protected]
  

NAMI CA Programs News


Directing Change Deadline Has Been Extended!

The Directing Change video contest is a statewide contest where high school and UC students create 60-second public service announcements to spread awareness about ending the silence on mental illness and suicide prevention.  The winning team will win $500 and will be recognized for their cinematic achievement at the award ceremony in Sacramento, CA.  The contest is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students.                                                               

The deadline for the video submissions has been extended to March 1, 2014.

 

Directing Change is also currently looking for judges for the contest.  Anybody who specializes in  or is interested in directing, writing, editing, acting, video production, suicide prevention and/or mental health is encouraged to participate.  The process will take less than two hours of their time, all of which can be completed entirely online from home!

 

Please contact Lauren Hee for more information.  [email protected] 

 

Family Programs Trainings:

 

De Familia a Familia Teacher Training - Deadline March 6th, 2014

March14-16, 2014 - Ontario, CA

 

Family Support Group and Basics Trainings:

April 11-13, 2014 - Encino, CA                                       

 

Family to Family Training

May 30-June 1, 2014 Elk Grove, CA

 

NAMI Family Program news is also posted Facebook. Latest entry - New NAMIStore coming soon!

 

The NAMI Family Programs Blog is now active - same address: http://NAMIfamily.blogspot.com

 

Parents and Teachers as Allies Training:

March 1, 2014 - Sacramento, CA.  -- CANCELLED

 

Peer and Stigma Reduction Programs Training:

In Our Own Voice Anti-Stigma Arts Network

February 8-9, 2014 - Ontario

 

Persona a Persona

February 21-23, 2014 - Ontario

 

In Our Own Voice Anti-Stigma Arts Network

March 8-9, 2014 - San Diego

 

Connection

March 15-16, 2014 - Ontario

 

Peer-to-Peer

May 9-11, 2014 - Ventura

 

Peer-to-Peer

May 16-18, 2014 - Sacramento

 

Provider Education Trainings - To be announced

 

Send inquiries to:  

Family Programs

[email protected] 


IOOV, Peer to Peer and Connection

[email protected] 

 

Parents and Teachers as Allies, Ending the Silence, NAMI on Campus, Provider Education
[email protected]

 

Directing Change

[email protected]  

 

Programs Director

[email protected] 

 

NAMI California Office:  916-567-0163

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Awareness Day, May 13, 2014


Save the Date!

 

Join Each Mind Matters on the South Lawn of the California Capitol Building, May 13, 2014. You may also join the Solidarity March and attend the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resource Fair!

  

Take the pledge against stigma and discrimination and listen to stories of hope and courage. More information to come as the event approaches.

  

For information, email [email protected], visit the EachMindMatters.org website, or telephone, 916-389-2625.

 

View and print the flier here.

Contact Us

1851 Heritage Lane, Ste 150
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-567-0163
Fax: 916-567-1757
Email: [email protected]