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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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New In the Digest Today
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VOCAL's Advocacy Committee to Meet Weekly - Posted 1.16
Weekly meetings begin tomorrow, January 17th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
If you would like to join this committee, please email Jane Ellis: jane@vocalvirginia.org , Troy Ark: listening1@gmail.com or Bonnie Neighbour: bonnie@vocalvirginia.org
Virginia's 2014 Legislative Session Open - Posted 1.16
The legislative session opened on January 8th with several mental health bills filed. If you would like to follow VOCAL's legislative advocacy work go to: Vocal.groupsite.com Call for Workshop Presentations for VOCAL's Statewide Conference - Posted 1.16VOCAL's Statewide Mental Health Consumer Conference will be held on May 19th, 20th, and 21st on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg. We are now accepting workshop proposals from interested presenters. Please email Yolande Long: yolande@vocalvirginia.org with your proposed workshop title and a short paragraph describing your presentation. Workshops are 1.5 hours long. (Please note: Not all workshop proposals may be accepted.)
From SAMHSA: "Speak Up, Reach Out! Share Your Story of Recovery" - Posted 1.16
Inspire others who may be struggling. Share your story of recovery from a mental or substance use disorder. How did you find your recovery? How do you keep your recovery? What do you love about recovery? How has your recovery positively affected others? If you could share one key tip about sustaining recovery, what tip would you share?
Go to : http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Voices-for-Recovery/Share-Your-Story.aspx
From the Coalition for Virginians with Mental Disabilities: Advocacy Day and Walk on January 20th - Posted 1.16
Arrive between 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at the Capitol Visitors Center Drop Off near 9th and Bank. We'll proceed up the hill to the GA Building following the route on the map at the bottom of this flyer.
This year's theme is "Light out of Darkness" - we will have small, white tea lights for everyone walking to pick-up where the walk begins. These lights can be left with legislators as a reminder of the Coalition's goals - in memory of those we have lost and with hope for a better future for friends and family members impacted by mental and intellectual disabilities. If you would prefer, lights can be left at the Advocacy Table just inside the GA Building (so we can save for next year). We will also have 8 ½ x 11" signs with the theme that walkers can attach to their backs available at the start of the walk. There will be six professionally printed signs held along the walk route to promote the theme and provide a focus for any media photographs.
After the Walk, we'll enter the building and stop at the Coalition Table to pick up copies of the 2014 Budget Priorities document, a list of GA Members and buttons and hats. Supporters will then spend the rest of Advocacy Day visiting with legislators to share their stories and focus on shared goals. Remember that legislators will leave to go to caucus between 11- 11:30 so this is a great time to be visible just outside the GA (if you are able, consider heading down the hill and making the walk a second time!)
Study Says Mental Health Crisis May Be Better Served in Homelike Environment Instead of Traditional ER - Posted 1.16
http://tinyurl.com/msj88o7
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VOCAL News
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VOCAL Launches "Whole Health Network" (VWHN) - Posted 1.2
In the first published e-digest each month, VOCAL will offer information about whole health topics. Each month the focus will change as we rotate through topics such as smoking cessation, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, etc. encouraging your capacity to take control over your own total health and wellness.
Please also visit our FB page for our "Wellness Wednesday" tips! https://www.facebook.com/VOCAL.Inc
VWHN Topic #1
Smoking Cessation Help:
"I really want to try to stop smoking but how do I do it?"
Here are some tips:
http://smokefree.gov/
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News Around the Commonwealth
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W.R.A.P. Facilitator Training in Richmond - Posted 1.13
January 27th - January 31st
Art of Creative Expression Open House - Posted 1.13
Tuesday, February 4th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Walkerton Tavern, Henrico County
If you have an interest in art and expression, come and apply to be a member of ACE.
For further information and to RSVP call William by January 28th
at 804.727.8555
The Art of Creative Expression [ACE] was created in 2008. Now entering its seventh year ACE seeks to expand membership. ACE is a Peer Run / Peer Facilitated Organization. ACE meets monthly at Walkerton Tavern in Henrico County. ACE celebrates/explores a wide spectrum of creative arts modalities. Seating for the Open House Event is limited.
RACSB Expanding Consumer and Family Advisory Committee - Posted 1.13
The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) is currently soliciting applications from interested individuals to serve on its Consumer and Family Advisory Committee. The committee works with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Quality Assurance to provide feedback regarding service delivery that will lead to quality improvement. The Committee serves an advisory role to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
Potential projects undertaken by the Committee may include: review of satisfaction surveys; review of reports generated by the Office of Consumer Affairs; and recommendations for improvements in delivery of services based on data reviewed. Committee member responsibilities include attendance at quarterly meetings and ability to understand issues on the local, state, and federal level that may impact RACSB services.
The Committee is comprised of five to ten volunteer members meeting the following criteria: the individual must be receiving, or have within two years of joining the advisory Committee, services from RACSB; or the family member must be a family member of an individual that is currently receiving, or within two years received, services from RACSB.
Membership is for a two-year term, with no member serving more than two consecutive terms. The Committee meets every three months in the evening.
Applications for membership on the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee are available at www.racsb.state.va.us or by visiting any of the five RACSB outpatient clinic locations (addresses listed below). Applications are due no later than February 28, 2014. Membership applications will be reviewed by the Program Planning and Evaluation Committee of the Board of Directors with membership recommendations being presented to the Board of Directors on March 18, 2014. Applicants will be chosen based on their familiarity with RACSB services and programs, their ability to commit to meeting attendance, and their overall interest in advising RACSB in its quality improvement activities.
Completed applications are to be mailed to Emily McGarrity, RACSB Office of Consumer Affairs, 600 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. To learn more, please contact Emily McGarrity, Office of Consumer Affairs, at 540-899-4616 or Jane Yaun, Quality Assurance Coordinator, at 540-940-2308.
"84 Main" Offers Spanish Classes on Fridays - Posted 1.9
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Warsaw
Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke Valley - Posted 1.6
Mondays at 1:00 p.m.
429 Elm Avenue, SW, 24016
540.362.0061
Peer Run Warm Line Available Through Mental Health America of Virginia - Posted 1.2
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Conferences, Trainings, and Webinars
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Women and Trauma Webinar Series - Posted 1. 13
January 23rd from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Monthly National Networking Teleconference
January 21st - Posted 1.9
Thursday, 8:00 p.m.
The call-in number is 866-906-0123; the pass code is 5037195#. The purpose of the call is for peer movement activists from around the U.S. to get together, share information, and "network."
If you have a topic or topics you would like to see discussed on this call, please write to Susan Rogers srogers@mhasp.org with the word "Agenda" in the subject line. In addition, if you plan to participate, even if you don't want to suggest an agenda item it would be helpful if you would email Susan Rogers at srogers@mhasp.org; this will make it easier to provide the participants with teleconference minutes.
If you would like a copy of the July, August, September, October and/or November 2013 minutes or would like to preorder the December minutes, please write to srogers@mhasp.org with the word "Minutes" in the subject line.
Source:
The Copeland Center Announces: "Sharing Your Wellness/Recovery Story" Save the Date - Posted 1.9
May 19th - 20th
Storytelling Training with advanced level WRAP Facilitator Gina Calhoun and Dr. Scott Heller
Community Counseling Center
2201 E. State St.
Hermitage, PA 16148
Ticket to Work Webinar: Support for People with Disabilities on the Journey to Financial Independence - Posted 1.9
January 22nd from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
To register:
Mental Health America of Virginia Advocacy Conference - Posted 12.19
February 10th - 12th in Richmond
Application deadline is January 13th
Go to:
VACSB Legislative Conference Set for January 21-22, 2014 - Posted 12.9
Richmond Marriott Hotel
500 East Broad Street, Richmond (23219)
For further information: www.vacsb.org
WRAP and Healing from Trauma Retreat - Posted 12.9
February 5-8, 2014
Kenyon Ranch, Tumacacori, AZ
Link to Virginia Mental Health Conferences and Trainings Calendar for Opportunities to Attend Conferences and Trainings - Posted 4.11
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/VirginiaCalendar
Do you know of other things that could be posted on this calendar?? Email Yolande Long: yolande@vocalvirginia.org
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Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia
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Consumer Wellness Center (Annandale)
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
Other Program Information:
Virginia Peer Support Coalition (Virginia)
Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV)
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Other News
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Seven New Grant Opportunities from SAMHSA - Posted 1.9
http://beta.samhsa.gov/grants
Study Shows That "Affective Touch" May Be Vital to Mental Well-Being - Posted 1.6
A study by U.K. researchers, published online in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that slow, light touch - which is perceived by the body as loving, or affective, touch - may be the key to creating and maintaining a healthy sense of self. The study, involving 52 "healthy adults," tested four types of touch - synchronized and asynchronized slow, affective touch and a faster, neutral touch - using a common experimental technique called the "rubber hand illusion," involving tricking participants' brains into believing that a rubber hand is their own. When the participants were asked to report on their experience during the experiment, the results confirmed that participants were more likely to believe that the rubber hand was their own with affective touch than they were with the faster, neutral touch. "As affective touch is typically received from a loved one," the lead researcher said, "these findings further highlight how close relationships involve behaviors that may play a crucial role in the construction of a sense of self."
Mental Health Anthology Seeks Essays about "Profound Psychiatric Challenges" - Posted 1.6
For an upcoming anthology, In Fact Books is soliciting essays "by writers with insight into the nature and experience of profound psychiatric challenges" as users and/or providers of mental health services. The editors are seeking "well-written, true narratives about the enigmatic, creative, frustrating and triumphant moments of the recovery process and the therapeutic journey." For further information and guidelines, see the source below. Essays may be submitted online or by regular mail; the postmark deadline is March 1, 2014.
From Paolo del Vecchio, Director, CMS - Posted 1.6
Dear Peer-Run/Recovery Community Organization:
Please find a letter, located here, announcing the opportunity to apply for a contract sub-award under SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) initiative.
The 2014 BRSS TACS Peer Awards for Health Reform Education will enable peer-run organizations/recovery community organizations in states, the District of Columbia, territories, and tribal jurisdictions located in a state or states that has/have expanded
Medicaid eligibility in 2014 to: (1) Collaborate with peer-run/recovery community networks to educate people with substance use and mental health conditions and their families, friends, and allies about health insurance changes and other policy issues initiated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010; and (2) Learn from the experiences of individuals with addictions and mental health needs who are newly insured and Medicaid eligible about effective approaches to outreach and enrollment and treatment access strategies.
We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity by submitting an application for your peer-run/recovery community organization. We will be making 22 subcontract awards at the level of $25,000 per award.
Information about the BRSS TACS Peer Awards for Health Reform Education application, expectations of awardees, and activities, may be found at the following address: brsstacs.center4si.com/2014_BRSSTACS_HealthReform_RFA.docx.
Questions about the Request for Application (RFA) may be submitted to Rebecca Stouff, by electronic mail to rstouff@center4si.com, or by phone at (617) 467-6014 ext. 252.
General questions about BRSS TACS may be directed to the SAMHSA Project Officers, Catherine D. Nugent, LCPC, at cathy.nugent@samhsa.hhs.gov or 240-276-1577, or Marsha Baker, LCSW, at marsha.baker@samhsa.hhs.gov
or 240-276-1566.
Scattergood Foundation Seeks Nominations for Second Annual Innovation Awards - Posted 1.2
The Scattergood Innovation Award "is designed to help identify, promote and reward innovative programs that demonstrably improve diagnosis, treatment, de-stigmatization, or support networks" for adults with mental health conditions. The successful applicant will receive a $25,000 award, and all of the finalists will receive exposure "as leaders, innovators and champions of behavioral health," according to the Foundation. "Individuals, teams or organizations can self-nominate or nominate someone else." For details or to apply, see the source below. Nominations will be accepted through January 10th at 11:59 p.m.
http://www.scattergoodfoundation.org/annual-innovation-award
Gen Ys Are More Accepting of Individuals with Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace Than Are Baby Boomers - Posted 1.2
New research on employers' attitudes has found that Gen Ys are more inclined to hire and support an employee who has a mental health condition than are their Baby Boomer counterparts. The detailed report, which surveyed 276 small and medium enterprises across Australia on their willingness to employ job seekers with a mental health condition, found that 42 percent of Gen Ys would be likely to hire someone with a mental health condition, compared to 16 percent of Baby Boomers surveyed. "This stark contrast in attitudes from generation to generation is a significant finding, offering new hope to people with a mental illness as more Gen Ys gain roles with hiring authority," said a spokesman for WISE Employment, which provides employment services under Australia's Disability Employment Services and Job Services Australia (JSA) programs.
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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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