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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
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Do You Have a Submission for the Newsletter?
What's going on in your region to report? Something exciting happening in a group you belong to? Are you writing some poetry or prose?
VOCAL Announces Conference Keynote Speaker, Joseph Rogers!
 Joseph Rogers is Chief Advocacy Officer of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP), and found
er and Executive Director of the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse, a consumer-run national technical assistance center funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.
In 1984, Joseph Rogers created Project SHARE (Self-Help and Advocacy Resource Exchange), a peer-support and advocacy organization, under MHASP's auspices. As a result of Rogers' vision and leadership, Project SHARE grew until it was blended with MHASP, which Rogers had built from a small regional mental health advocacy agency into one of the largest mental health associations in the country, including an array of peer-run programs serving local, statewide, and national constituencies. From 1997 to 2007, Rogers served as President and CEO of MHASP.
A national leader of the mental health consumer movement, Joseph Rogers has testified before U.S. Senate committees and has consulted in more than 30 states, as well as nationally and internationally, on behavioral health policy issues. He has chaired and/or served on numerous boards and committees, such as the Executive Committee of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and the Congressionally appointed Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of People with Disabilities, which helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. He was a key player in the closing of Philadelphia State Hospital and in the successful struggle to get the dollars to follow the patients into the community, to establish what has become a model system of community-based services, including peer-run services.
Rogers has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows to publicize the self-help/advocacy movement and fight prejudice and discrimination.
His many awards include the Heinz Award for the Human Condition (2005), the Outstanding Non-Psychiatrist Award of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists (2002), and the Timothy Coakley Behavioral Health Leadership Award of the American College of Mental Health Administration (2009), for his leadership in transforming mental health care in this country.
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 July 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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Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke Valley - Posted 3.18
Each Monday, at 1 p.m.
429 Elm Street, SW, Roanoke (24016)
Please call 540.362.0061 for further information.
Two New Opportunities at Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center - Posted 3.18
Mindfulness Meditation beginning March 18th from 2:00 -3:30 p.m.
WRAP beginning March 27th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
9511 Hull Street Road, Suite A, Richmond(23236)
For further information: 804.308.1366
Are You Working or Volunteering as a Peer Supporter? - 3.14
The Northern Virginia Peer Support Coalition is doing a survey of Peer Support Specialist.
We are interested in hearing from individuals working (or wanting to work) or volunteering in the role of a Peer Support Specialist.
Although the survey was designed to find out about individuals in Northern Virginia, we encourage Peer Support Specialist throughout Virginia to participate.The survey is only 10 questions and does not contain any identifying information.
You can find it at the following web address:
We welcome your participation and will share the results on the Virginia Peer Support Coalition website.
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Conferences/Trainings/Webinars/Reports
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Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) Conference, "New Challenges, New Opportunities: Creating the Future with Innovations" - Posted 3.21
April 30, 2013: Pre-Conference Institutes
May 1-3, 2013: Conference
Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, 5700 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach
To register:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=bmz5thkab&oeidk=a07e76sumfd0d3733f8&oseq=a019bh5v7uyzv
Mental Health Recovery Retreat, Sponsored by DBSA of Falls Church and DBHDS Rescheduled for June - Posted 3.21
June 8-10, 2013; registration deadline is June 1st.
Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park, Luray
Open to Virginia residents only, free to participants. $100 deposit required and will be refunded at the end of the retreat. Financial aid form available.
For registration form and further info contact: Ruth Molyne, CPSS, justthebasics@comcast.net, or
703-400-6428
The District of Columbia's Deparyment of MH Office of Consumer and Family Affairs Conference on Hiring and Supporting Certified Peer Specialists - Posted 3.21
May 29th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Area wide - DC, MD, VA Kellogg Conference Center, Gallaudet University 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC (20002)
Keynote speaker: Larry Fricks
RSVP by May 15th to Adrienne Lightfoot, 202.671.4089 or adrienne.lightfoot@dc.gov
Free Webinar, Emotional CPR: Saving Lives, Healing Communities - Posted 3.18 April 9, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/136968686 Note: this is not an introductory webinar, though a brief introduction to eCPR will be provided. For an in-depth introduction to the basic concepts of eCPR, please see http://www.emotional-cpr.org/videos.htm#Emotional-CPR-Webinar.
NAMI Virginia Convention: "Deeply Rooted Branching Out", in Richmond - Posted 3.18
An emphasis will be placed on content and skills-building related to forming a strong NAMI foundation throughout Virginia. Focus areas include planning, volunteer management, leadership development and community engagement.
Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd
Crowne Plaza Downtown Richmond
*Additional details including program, fees, and registration will be available in early April. Please refer to the website*
2013 Conference on Trauma: Addressing Trauma Informed Care from the Consumer Perspective - Posted 3.18
May 17th, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
St. Elizabeth Hospital
1100 Alabama Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20032
Persons with lived experience in justice, mental health, substance abuse, foster care and other behavioral health together with professionals, healthcare and community stakeholders. In a single forum the critical importance of issues impacting trauma, prevention, community behavioral health and creating a Trauma Informed System of Care. This even provides a n opportunity to network as well as receive information on emerging topics relevant to Trauma, Health, Alternative to traditional treatment and wellness.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/339520
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program's Family of Heroes - Posted 3.14
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP), a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, are making available Family of Heroes, an avatar-based resiliency & PTSD training simulation. All military families and friends in Virginia are eligible to train.
We invite you to join us for a free webinar to learn more about this program and how it can impact our community by supporting families and connecting veterans with support services.
The program has been piloted successfully in VWWP's Northwestern Region and is now available at no cost to all veterans and their families throughout the state of Virginia through June 30, 2013.
Webinars will be conducted by regional directors from VWWP.
Please sign-up for one of the following webinars:
Tuesday, March 26, 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Hosted by: Martha Utley, director, Region 4
Click here to register
Tuesday, April 9, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Hosted by: Jim Thur, director, Region 2
Click here to register
Wednesday, April 24, 9:00am - 10:00am, Hosted by: Eric Endries, director, Region 5
Click here to register
For questions please call: 212-675-9234 or info@kognito.com.
"Peer-to-Peer" from NAMI Central Virginia - Posted 3.14
Course begins March 26th
Free, 10-week recovery education course for adults living with mental illness. Peer to Peer (and "Persona a Persona" in Spanish) helps participants maintain recovery through Peer-support, lecture, discussion, coping and mindfulness exercises. It is facilitated by a team of trained NAMI Peer Mentors.
For further information , call 804.285.1749 or email: kathy.harkey@namicentralvirgina.org with the subject "Peer to Peer" and provide contact information to receive announcements about upcoming classes. Participants must register ahead of time.
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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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Other News
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My Vision for Columbia Graphics and Printing: from Scott Haugh - Reposted 3.21
In my work in mental health, I have realized that many peers, (people with mental health issues), are stuck due to barriers to employment. Many peers with a diagnosis have highly developed creativity living due to overwhelming life circumstances. Columbia Graphics & Printing seeks to tap into the creativity of peers, by empowering them with laptops, software and education in order to employ them as graphic artists. They would learn the tools of graphic art so they can freelance in the community and feed print work to Columbia Graphics & Printing. Ideally there would be around 40 peers all over Virginia creating print-ready graphics. Each peer would either sell their work or be partnered with a sales associate in their region. Marketing would be focused on the Community Service Boards (CSB) across Virginia (there are 40). Each CSB region would have a peer nearby who would supply their graphic needs and promote the work of the local peer. CSBs are filled with social workers and others who have many contacts. These contacts would be the focus of our marketing strategy. Once a peer is hired for a particular region, then that CSB would be formally introduced to their peer contact so that business networking could begin. This company will help many people get on their feet and go a long way toward eliminating stigma of mental illnesses.
Below is a link that people can vote on for an upcoming competition.
It would be great to get funding, which would require people to vote early and often.
Thanks,
http://www.ie-rva.org/contest/start-up-competition-2013/
The above link is a competition for startups. We could be awarded a grant!Stay tuned for on line voting: - Online public voting occurs March 26-28, 2013.
Scott Haugh, Graphic Artist
Columbia Graphics & Printing
Box 754
Columbia, VA 23038 804.878.2782
From Paolo del Vecchio, Director, CMHS, SAMHSA - Posted 3.14
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Fry, M.S., to the position of Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Mental Health Services. I also want to express my great appreciation to Wilma Townsend, M.S.W., who has been in the acting role in this position for over a year. Wilma has done an extraordinary job meeting the demands of this busy office and ensuring all aspects of consumer affairs responsibilities were met for CMHS.
Steve Fry is leaving his position as the Director of Recovery Community Affairs at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to join CMHS. In this position, Steve reported directly to DMHAS Commissioner Patricia Rehmer and served on the Commissioner's executive team. Steve was instrumental as a senior advisor in state mental health and addiction policy development, strategic planning, communications, and program design for the department. He also represented the perspectives and concerns of people living with mental health conditions in all aspects of the work of the department.
Over the last 20 years, Steve has worked in Connecticut developing and managing innovative programs, providing training and education in recovery oriented services, and advocating for people who experience mental health problems and difficulties with substance use. He has extensive experience in delivering peer-operated services as well as designing policies and programs to support their adoption. Steve often shares his own experience with mental illness to help others learn about the possibilities and challenges of recovery. Steve has a Masters of Science degree in Community Mental Health from Trinity College of Vermont.
Steve will begin his new duties on April 7. Please join me in welcoming Steve Fry to CMHS!
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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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