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A twice-weekly electronic news-digest delivered to your inbox dedicated to keeping you informed of mental health recovery news and opportunities across the Commonwealth and the nation.
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VOCAL News | 
VOCAL's Annual Statewide Mental Health Consumer Conference, "Carrying the Torch"
May 20-22 on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg. The registration form can be found on our website;
the link to same in the top left hand corner of the home page. Go to: www.vocalvirginia.org to download the form. Please mail it to the VOCAL Network office at 1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 111, Richmond, 23230, with your check or money order. Please do not send cash through the mail. We are not able to accept credit card payments. One registration form per person, please.
Call for Workshop Proposals for "Carrying the Torch", VOCAL's Statewide MH Conference
VOCAL seeks workshop proposals from members and friends! Workshops are 1.5 hours in length. Proposals are due no later than April 15th - please provide a title, description, names of presenters, and any other information that may be useful for our understanding of your proposed presentation.
You will be notified after the due date
whether or not the proposal is accepted.
Please send via email to yolande@vocalvirginia.org or by postal mail to the Network office address.
R.E.A.C.H. Program News
REACH is currently updating the WRAP Facilitator database and we need your help! In order to have the most recent, accurate information that we can, we are asking that you complete the WRAP Facilitator Questionnaire. Please indicate on the form if you are interested in having your information made available to those who have questions and are looking for WRAP classes in your area. If you have any questions please contact me at debbie@vocalvirginia.org, or call (434) 243-7878, ext. 10. If you leave a message I will contact you at my earliest convenience. REACH is also in the early planning stages for WRAP facilitator trainings, one of which will take place in August or early September this year. Location/specific dates will be announced soon. If you are interested in becoming a WRAP Facilitator, please take a look the VOCAL website where you will find information and an application for WRAP Facilitator training. Complete the WRAP Facilitator Questionnaire here:
http://www.vocalvirginia.org/#/reach-program/4533123877
"Ask Will!"
Do you have questions about VOCAL? Is there something you want to know but just don't know how or who to ask? Now there is an easy way to make it happen: it's called "Ask Will"!
Please include your name and contact information for verification: anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Responses will be published in the VOCAL Network News newsletter which is currently published six times per year. An archive of responses will be made available through VOCAL's website at www.vocalvirginia.org, under the "Ask Will" column. In this column, members can ask questions of VOCAL's Executive Office. The intent of this column is to disseminate information to you - our membership - in a timely fashion. Inquiries can be sent to: askwill@vocalvirginia.org. |
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News Around the Commonwealth
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On Our Own of Roanoake Valley Has Karaoke! - posted 2.28
Join your peers at a coffeehouse on Saturdays at 4 p.m.
429 Elm Street, SW, Roanoke
540.362.0061
Laurie Mitchell Empowerment and Career Center Offers Free Microsoft Office Training for People with Disabilities - Posted 2.28
Option to take the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification exams.
The course will feature Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook 2007, Windows, and Internet. As part of the program, students will also receive assistance with resume/interview skills and job placement assistance at completion of training.
Requirements include: basic computer skills, ability to type 20 wpm, documentation of your disability, reside in Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, or City of Falls Church, ability to commit to 19 weeks of training, Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., interest in becoming employed in the next 6 months.
New classes will start March 18th. Space is limited. Call today to set up an interview/appointment.
To apply please contact Albert Cervantes, email: acervantes@lmec.org703-461-3886 Ext 247; or Lauren Goldschmidt, email: lauren.goldschmidt@servicesource.org
Location: ServiceSource, 6295 Edsall Road, Ste 175, Alexandria (22312)
Laurie Mitchell Empowerment and Career Center also provides free computer classes, workshops, support groups and employment services.
Last Day of Assessments will be: March 8th
Supported by funding from the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool System
Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center Begins New Series - Posted 2.25
New Community Integration Series starting on March 1st, facilitated by Bryan Tunnell. The focus will be finding a good fit and practical solutions for volunteerism and employment.
Please call the Center for further information: 804.308.1366 9511 Hull Street Road, Suite A, Richmond (23236)
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Conferences/Trainings/Webinars
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SAMHSA Offers Scholarships for Mental Health America Conference - Posted 2.28
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is looking to provide financial support to consumers of mental health services for attendance at Mental Health America's 2013 Annual Conference, Why Wellness Works: Breakthroughs and Pathways to Whole Health, June 5th - 8th in Maryland.
In order to apply for this scholarship you must be a mental health consumer and a United States citizen.
To review the scholarship criteria and to download the application go to,
Complete application must be submitted via U.S. Mail and postmarked on or before the deadline of April 2, 2013. No faxed or e-mailed submissions will be accepted. Questions about the application can be directed to Tim Kennedy at 703-838-7540 or tkennedy@mentalhealthamerica.net. Training Update from Mental Health America of Virginia - Posted 2.28 Advanced Training Topic: Starting Your Own Organization with focus on the initial planning stages, finding funding as well as grant writing, and creating a core structure for success. This training will include key speakers from throughout the Commonwealth. June 17th - 18th in Montpelier. Scholarships are limited but available but you must apply soon. Six more scholarship spaces for CELT in Roanoke March 25th -29th CELT includes classes pertaining to state and community advocacy as well as community initiatives, and personal recovery. CELT graduates are facilitators; it is an intense week of learning and sharing! For further information, call Tiffany Perry at 804.257.5591 or visit: http://www.mhav.org/The Copeland Center Offers Online WRAP Facilitator Renewal Course - Posted 2.28Go to: Webinar on Supporting the Recovery of Justice-Involved Consumers - Posted 2.25
The Star Center is presenting "a three-part resource that will help individuals assist justice-involved consumers as they re-enter communities and begin their recovery journeys".
Register online at: https://www323.livemeeting.com/lrs/8001651028/Registration.aspx?pageName=l4s834lddkmf7c38 for the March 6th webinar from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
After registering you will receive a confirmation email with additional information on how to tune in to the webinar. For further information about the webinar please call (866) 537-STAR."
"Building Blocks for Nonprofit Board Members" in March - Posted 2.25
Organizational Solutions, an affiliated program of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, is hosting "Building Blocks for Nonprofit Board Members" on Saturday, March 9th, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The introductory 3.5 hour workshop orients prospective or new board members to the nonprofit sector and provides a comprehensive overview of the basic responsibilities of nonprofit governance. This is a great training for people who have never served on a board and are considering it, or just recently joined a board and would like some additional resources/information and best practices.
Workshop participants will gain access to BoardLink, a collaborative initiative with HandsOn Greater Richmond that provides a listing of nonprofit organizations in the community who are seeking board and board committee members.
The cost of the workshop is $35.00 per person and this includes all workshop materials and light refreshments. The workshops are held in the Organizational Solutions office building at The Boulders (Boulders IV office complex), Richmond.
Register online at: http://buildingblocksnewboardmember.eventbrite.com/. Registration closes fifteen hours before the start time of each session.
Email Tiffany Harris at tharris@orgsolutions.org or call 804.330.7027 ext 108 if you have questions.
Peer Specialist Training in Roanoke
April 15th - 19th - Posted 2.21
Learn how to use your shared experiences to support peers with mental health challenges to address obstacles on their recovery journey.
For more information, cost, and an application call Robin Hubert or Alex Davidson at 540.362.0061 or email Diana Martin:
Applications must be submitted by March 8th.
Fairfax-Falls Church WRAP® Facilitator Training April 22-26, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Fairfax - Posted 2.21
Spend five days with the Fairfax-Falls Church WRAP® Team's Advanced Facilitators learning to become an effective Mental Health Recovery Educator and WRAP® Group facilitator. This course models the behavior of a facilitator in a WRAP® class and stresses authenticity and unconditional high regard, as well as a strong set of values and ethics to guide your work.
This training is appropriate for anyone who would like to lead Mental Health Recovery and WRAP® groups, work with others to develop their own WRAP® and to give presentations on mental health recovery related issues to groups or organizations. Attendees are expected to have a solid working knowledge of WRAP® and share their experiential knowledge of how WRAP® can work.
Before attending the training, it is expected that you have familiarity with the different parts of WRAP through completion of one of the following prerequisites:
■Copeland Center Correspondence Course,
■2 or 3 day Seminar I Workshop,
■8 or 12 week Seminar I workshop
Additionally, you should also have and use your own WRAP®, or assisted and supported another person in developing and using their WRAP®. All Seminar I prerequisite course must have been conducted by a Copeland Certified WRAP® Facilitator.
A limited number of scholarships are available to pay the training fee for individuals living in the Cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, Alexandria or the counties of Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William.
Individuals from other areas are encouraged to apply considering that the COST of the training is $925 and does not include your travel, lodging or daily expenses. Snacks will be provided, but lunch is not included.
For more information and an application contact Cici Spencer or go to the Fairfax WRAP website: www.fairfaxfallschurchwrap.org
Cicely.Spencer@fairfaxcounty.gov
703-324-7167
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Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia
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Recovery In Motion ( Fredericksburg)
kakallay@gmail.com
Blacksburg Computer Empowerment Services http://computerempowerment.net/about.htm
Friends4Recovery Whole Health Center (Richmond)
http://www.friends4recovery.org/#!calendar
Center for Recovery and Wellness (Lynchburg)
http://centerforrecoveryandwellness.org/calendar/
Trillium Drop-In Center (Woodbridge)
http://pwdropincenter.org/calendar.php
On Our Own of Roanoke Valley
http://rvonourown.com/Events.aspx
WeCare, Inc (Martinsville)
http://wecaremhc.org/?page_id=42
On Our Own of Charlottesville
http://wwhttp://www.saara.org/events-calendar.phpw.onourowncville.org/structure.html
84 Main (Warsaw)
804.333.3581
Recovery Resources and Support
Other Program Information:
Virginia Peer Support Coalition (Virginia)
Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV)
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Job Opportunities
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Job Opportunity with Virginia Supportive Housing for Clinician/Case Manager (APTS) - Posted 2.28
General Statement of Duties:
As part of the Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) A Place to Start (APTS) team, the Clinician provides a range of supportive services including assessments, service planning, symptoms management, housing stabilization, and crisis prevention and intervention to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. APTS is an evidence-based program that assists individuals with extensive histories of homelessness to secure and maintain housing and achieve their personal recovery goals. APTS is a multi-disciplinary team that includes a psychiatrist, nurses, clinicians and peer specialists. Supportive services are provided primarily in client apartments in the community. Periodic on-call and weekend duties are required.
Qualifications:
* Master's degree in human services required. At least one year of direct service experience with individuals with low-incomes, mental health and/or substance abuse disorders and/or histories of homelessness preferred.
* Certifications in CPR and First Aid or a dedication and commitment to obtaining them within 3 months of hire.
* Excellent computer skills, with working knowledge of the primary Microsoft Office Suite programs
* Ability to successfully pass a background check and other pre-employment screening
To apply, send a resume and cover letter indicating position of interest in the subject line to:jobs@virginiasupportivehousing.org
Team Leader Position at Virginia Supportive Housing - Posted 2.28
Program Overview:
A Place to Start (APTS) is a program of Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) that provides permanent housing and comprehensive mental health services to individuals in the Greater Richmond area who are chronically homeless and have a serious mental illness. Comprehensive services (in the form of a DBHDS licensed Intensive Community Treatment Team) are offered to program participants to assist them with maintaining housing and achieving their personal goals. In its 5 years of operation, APTS has been highly successful in housing and serving chronically homeless persons with a serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. More than 95% of clients served have maintained permanent housing and involvement with the criminal justice and inpatient psychiatric services have been dramatically lessened.
Team Leader Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for providing daily operation and clinical oversight of the APTS ICT team. Provides supervision and leadership to a multi-disciplinary staff that includes a nurse, clinicians, peer counselor, and psychiatrist. Specific duties include staff supervision, staff scheduling to ensure adequate coverage, coordination and direct provision of community-based mental health treatment services, coordination with VSH housing staff to facilitate permanent housing, supervision of clinical records to ensure compliance with all regulating bodies (Medicaid, DBHDS licensing), coordination with community stakeholders, participation in APTS research and evaluation plan, and monitoring of program budget. Coordinates the team daily and on-call schedule and provides on-call and occasionally weekend services.
Essential Qualifications:
* Licensed mental health professional (LMHP) or LMHP-eligible in the Commonwealth of Virginia strongly preferred. Master's degree and at least three years experience working with adults with mental health and/or homeless histories required.
* Supervisory experience strongly preferred.
To apply, send resume and cover letter indicating position of interest to: jobs@virginiasupportivehousing.org
Recovery Specialist I in Chesapeake - Posted 2.25
Chesapeake CSB has a part-time (less than 20 hours per week) peer position available.
Responsible for provision of peer related services to adults receiving mental health and/or substance abuse services. Individual will provide recovery education, outreach supports, and facilitate wellness planning and advance directives. Through these activities the facilitator will work to promote hope, encouragement, self determination, and connection to community resources with their peers. Acts as an advocate for the needs and rights of every person served.
High School diploma or GED required. Individual must have a diagnosis of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders and have been in active recovery for a minimum of one year. The individual must have successfully completed a Peer Support Training Course.
Applicants can contact Melissa Constantine, MPA, at 819-6220 to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scheduled sometime in March.
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Other News
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Update on the Human Rights Revision Project - Posted 2.28
The Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services is considering whether the current Human Rights regulations, 12 VAC35 115, should be revised to assure human rights protections related to the health, safety and welfare of individuals receiving services from providers licensed, funded or operated by the Department are effectively administered. With the most recent regulatory revision to the 12 VAC 35-115, the specific rights detailed within the regulations do not need to be modified; rather
revisions would focus on enhancing the process for assuring these rights are protected and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on individuals receiving services and public and private providers, through simplifying the current administrative process and make it easier to understand and more user friendly. Last fall, a plan for gaining meaningful constituent feedback was developed and approved by an advisory team made up of representatives from the major stakeholder groups. The Department has engaged Old Dominion University (ODU) to conduct the surveys, interviews and focus groups to ascertain community feedback regarding possible improvements to the current administrative process for assuring the protection of human rights while minimizing regulatory burdens, where possible. If you are interested in participating in the ODU initiative, please email ODU at
ssrc@odu.edu
If you would like to offer the Department suggestions for streamlining the administrative process for assuring the protection of human rights or have identified an opportunity to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens for individuals receiving services and public and private providers, please click here to email your suggestions to the Department.
The Department anticipates that the State Board may consider proposed regulatory changes as early as this summer. The public will have an opportunity to comment on any changes that the Board decides to propose in the Human Rights regulations, after an Executive branch review of the proposed changes has been completed and the proposed changes have been released for public review and comment. In addition, during this public comment period, the State Board will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the changes being proposed.
View the Biennial Report of DBHDS' Office of Cultural and Linguistic Competence - Posted 2.28
http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/2008CLC/documents/DBHDS%20OCLC%20Biennial%20Report%202011-2012.pdf
SAMHSA Seeks Nominations for 2013 Voice Awards - Posted 2.25
Nominations are being accepted for the Voice Awards, offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: "If you know a consumer/peer leader who has led efforts to promote the social inclusion of people with behavioral health problems; personally demonstrated that recovery is real and possible; and made a positive impact on his/her community, workplace, or school, please nominate him/her for a 2013 Voice Award."
The nomination form is available at this link:
Doctoral Student in Social Work Seeks Interviewee - Posted 2.21
As part of a class assignment VCU doctoral social work students need to conduct a voice recorded interview. The sole purpose of the interview is for the class and student to gain knowledge of a particular area; this is not intended for any publishable research or findings. The student would like take this opportunity to interview a person with a mental health diagnosis and a chronic health problem to learn more about their lived experiences in regards to their health.
Please contact Yolande Long in the Network office if interested: 804-343-1777 or
Ninth Annual "The Art of Recovery" Exhibit Seeks Artwork - Posted 2.21
Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) is currently seeking entries for the Ninth Annual "The Art of Recovery" exhibit. The art show features original artwork by adults with mental illness. The show is organized by members of Kenmore Club, RACSBs psychosocial clubhouse for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. The exhibit will open Friday, May 3rd at The PONSHOP on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The opening corresponds with 'First Fridays.' The exhibit runs through Monday, May 27th and coincides with National Mental Health Month.
The Art of Recovery provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, address misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and experience community support.
The RACSB is accepting original drawings, paintings, sculpture, textiles, prints, mixed media, and ceramics. Individuals wishing to submit their work have until April 1, 2013 to contact Helen Conley.
Submissions may be in the form of photographs. Visit www.racsb.state.va.us for an entry form and display instructions. Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form with the following requested information: name of the artist; year of completion (if known); locale of the artist; dimensions; medium; and sale price (if the artwork is available for sale). Participating in the art show does not require the artwork be for sale. The PONSHOP will apply a reasonable commission on all artwork sold. Selections will be made by April 12th.
To submit artwork or to learn more, contact Helen Conley at 540-373-7737 or
Submissions may also be mailed to RACSB/Kenmore Club, attn: Art of Recovery, 632 Kenmore Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
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I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Yolande Long
Communications and Events Coordinator
804.343.1777
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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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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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