New Research Initiative Promotes Service User/Survivor Leadership in the Mental Health Arena - Posted 7.1

The Lived Experience Research Network (LERN) is a new initiative to promote service user/survivor leadership and inclusion in behavioral health and disabilities research, clinical practice, and program evaluation. LERN advocates for increased accessibility in research and evaluation settings, social justice, and policy change, and aims to strengthen ties among stakeholders. A working group within LERN is currently engaged in systems advocacy to address pervasive discrimination, stigma, and civil rights violations within higher education settings, with a focus on graduate students. The LERN Discrimination in Higher Ed (DHE) working group has created a survey designed to gather information about students' experiences of discrimination, accommodation denials, and other disability-related barriers in postsecondary settings. The researchers write, "We encourage both undergraduates and graduate students to participate. Please note that the survey is not formal research but rather information-gathering for the purpose of advocacy; no private information will be collected." To participate, click here.
 
Source: http://www.lernetwork.org/
 

Join Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center Celebrating 4th Year Anniversary and Grand Opening! - Posted 7.1. 

July 27th, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

7420 Whitepine Road, North Chesterfield (23237)

SAMHSA Free Webinar:" Building Community Resiliency and Healing: Preparing for, Responding to, and Recovering From Community Trauma and Disasters" on July 23rd - Posted 6.27

You'll learn about Emotional CPR (eCPR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, both developed as a result of lessons learned during the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita disasters. You'll hear about the valuable role peers have played in helping other peers and the entire community, including a Superstorm Sandy survivor's moving account of her work last fall assisting other displaced community members in the aftermath of the storm. And you'll learn how one urban community is successfully addressing and reducing widespread violence through collaborative community-building efforts, including their recent adoption of eCPR to strengthen their ability to respond to traumatic events.

Our presenters are: Dr. Dan Fisher (NEC), Marcie Roth (FEMA), Willie Barney (The Empowerment Network), and Margaret Upchurch (MHA of NJ).  

We invite you to join us as these inspiring and committed leaders share their promising practices and stories of engagement, empowerment, and healing. Learn how you can help your community work together, should disaster strike.

To read more and register for the July 23 teleconference, visit http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/teleconferences/archive/training/teleconference07232013.aspx

Career Opportunity: Suicide Prevention and MHFA Program Coordinator (Program Administration Specialist II) - Posted 6.17

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services' Office of Mental Health is seeking an accomplished professional to provide leadership and management for the development,  implementation and administration of the Department's comprehensive statewide suicide prevention program, and to implement, administer and coordinate the Department's Mental Health First Aid training initiative and the associated certification process.   

Qualifications:  Thorough knowledge of suicide prevention field, including the incidence and prevalence of suicide, policy and service delivery issues, best practices in suicide prevention and intervention from interagency, federal, state and community perspectives.  Thorough knowledge of Mental Health First Aid. 

Contract development and management skills.  Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including other state and local agencies and organizations, service recipients, suicide survivors, universities, advocates, etc. 

Facilitation and consultation skills. Experience with policy development and strategic planning.  Strong written and verbal communication skills.  Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software.  Thorough knowledge of the Public Health approach to prevention and health promotion.   Thorough knowledge of Evidence Based prevention programs and practices and the Prevention Best Practices Registry.  Experience with policy and program development, policy impact on local government and budget management.  Extensive professional experience in prevention services (with suicide prevention preferred), administrative experience, and experience with interagency issues at state and local levels. Advanced degree in human services is preferred.   

Position: #00232             Hiring Range:  $41,778-$65,000

Please apply online with the Recruitment Management System at http://jobs.virginia.gov/.  Only accepting online applications.  This position is open until filled.  DBHDS is a tobacco-free, smoke-free work environment.    

www.dbhds.virginia.gov 

An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity

PT Peer Support Specialist in Arlington - Posted 6.20

To apply:   

https://prsinc.iapplicants.com/application.php?job_id=455293&app_id=2143

Richmond Behavioral Health - Part Time Homeless Outreach Peer Specialist - Posted 6.13

District 19 Community Services Board is seeking an individual to serve as a peer specialist in outreaching persons who are mentally ill and homeless. Duties include peer support, advocacy, family orientation/education and to provide significant mutual help to other consumers who may be in need of mental health services. The successful applicant must have: Knowledge of service provision to the homeless, some experience interacting with mental health service providers as a recipient of mental health services and some high school, including the ability to read and write on at least a 9th grade level. Position above requires pre-employment criminal background check and drug screening. This position is part-time with hourly salary commensurate with experience/training. Applicant must be available to work Tuesdays through Fridays between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Interested applicants should obtain a D19CSB application from Human Resources Dept., 20 W. Bank Street, Suite 7, Petersburg, VA 23803, or call (804)862-8062. Applications can also be downloaded (in MS Word) from our website, www.d19csb.com. Return completed applications and resumes to the street address above. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed D19 applications. Open until filled.

Alternatives 2013 Update: Scholarships now Available! - Posted 6.13

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hopes to provide financial support to current and past consumers of mental health services to attend the Alternatives Conference. 

The application deadline is July 22, 2013. Answers to most scholarship questions and the application are available at: http://power2u.org/alternatives2013/scholarships

Hotel Registration Begins Now

Reservations may now be made for hotel rooms at the Hyatt Regency, Austin, Texas.

Future Announcements

Please stay tuned for future announcements about Alternatives 2013 including keynote speakers and registration. Our official Alternatives website is: http://www.power2u.org/alternatives2013

Request for Comment on the Following State Board Policy by July 12th - Posted 6.6  

Scheduled Field Review of One Current Policy

The Policy Development and Evaluation Committee of the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is initiating a scheduled field review of:

Policy 1041(SYS) 07-1 Services for Individuals with Mental Illnesses, Mental Retardation, or Substance Use Disorders Who Are or Are at Imminent Risk of Becoming Involved with the Criminal Justice System

To assist the Board with this review, stakeholders are asked to consider this current policy, forward your comments about the continued need for it, and any suggestions for updates, revisions or rescission.

Please provide your comments by July 12^th to:  ruthanne.walker@dbhds.virginia.gov 

or by mailing: State Board of BHDS, 1220 Bank Street, Room 1323, Richmond, VA 23219.

Comments received will be considered at the next meeting of the committee on July 23, 2013, at DBHDS Central State Hospital, 26317 West Washington Street

Petersburg ,VA 23803-0030.  This policy and any recommendations for edits are expected to be taken up at that meeting.  Any proposed revisions to the policy will be circulated for comment following the July meeting before a final recommendation is made to the full Board.  Please contact me if you have any questions via this email address or the phone number listed below.

All Board policies can be viewed at: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/adm-StateBoardDefault.htm