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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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Magellan Behavioral Health of Virginia to Host Inaugural Meeting of its Behavioral Health Governance Board - Posted 2.3
Magellan of Virginia is firmly committed to building a community-driven behavioral health system in the Commonwealth that is focused on recovery and resilience and is accountable for superior program outcomes. The governance board will provide oversight to the program and allow opportunities for stakeholders to have input into the strategic direction of the program.
This meeting is open to the public and interested parties are invited to attend.
Wednesday, February 5th from 10:00 a.m. - Noon
BRSS TACS Free Webinar: "Ethics and Boundaries for Peer Leaders" - Posted 2.3
Thursday, February 13th 1:00 -2:30 p.m.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ethics-and-boundaries-for-peer-leaders-tickets-10124337165
Three Jobs Open at "Recovery in Motion" (Fredericksburg) - Posted 2.3
Part-time volunteer receptionist; volunteer Support Group Facilitator; Wellness Coach
Email Director Christy Escher for more details: cescher@mac.com.
"Stand Up for Mental Health" on CTV National News (Canada) - Posted 2.3
Vocal's Whole Health Network (VWHN) Topic #2 - Posted 2.3
"I know healthy eating is important to my overall health and well-being, but what does that look like and how can I do it?"
For tips on healthy eating, including a downloadable food diary, go to:
This is also available in Spanish.
From the University of Virginia Mindfulness Center: Weekend Workshop Retreat - Posted 2.3
Dr. Susan Stone, MBSR instructor, will be leading a weekend workshop-retreat at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia, in Buckingham County, on February 21st through the 23rd. The theme is "Mindfulness, Compassion and Difficult Emotions."
Individual conferences with Susan will be available.
Tuition: $230. Add two nights' accommodation. For more information,
Yogaville is located in Central Virginia: 40 miles south of Charlottesville, 75 miles west of Richmond, 150 miles southwest of Washington, D.C
Save the Date: The National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) Conference - Posted 2.3
September 3rd - 6th
DoubleTree Hotel
SeaTac Airport, Seattle, Washington
http://www.narpa.org/
New from SAMHSA's GAINS Center: Webinar Series on Evidence-Based Practices for Justice-Involved Persons, and Guidelines to Help These Individuals Rejoin the Community - Posted 2.3
SAMHSA's GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation is offering a five-part webinar series on "Evidence-Based Practices for Justice-Involved Persons." The first webinar took place on January 21; it is archived on the GAINS Center website. The four remaining webinars will take place February 18 (3 p.m.), March 11, April 8, and May 12. For more information, including a link to the archived January webinar and links to fact sheets on each of the topics, click here. In addition, SAMHSA's GAINS Center has published "Guidelines for the Successful Transition of People with Behavioral Health Disorders from Jail and Prison." To download a free copy, click here.
Source: http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov
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VOCAL News
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Call for Workshop Proposals for VOCAL's Statewide MH Consumer Conference - Posted 1.16
VOCAL'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.)
VOCAL's Advocacy Committee to Meet Weekly - Posted 1.16
Weekly meetings of the Advocacy Committee have begun.
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
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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"Mental Health First Aid" Offered Through RACSB - Posted 1.27
The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) is pleased to now provide Mental Health First Aid Training to local organizations and members of the public. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course designed to provide participants with skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants will be better able to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness or addiction.
RACSB Executive Director Ron Branscome shares, "Mental Health First Aid provides participants with training to help facilitate successful encounters with an individual in crisis. Participants will be able to help connect the individual experiencing a mental health challenge with local resources like counseling or support groups." Branscome continues, "This training can help reduce the misunderstandings around mental illness. It can save lives."
The course utilizes role-playing and simulations to help participants' better gain skills to offer initial assistance in a mental health crisis and how to effectively connect individuals to appropriate community resources. Participants will learn the common risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses to include: anxiety; depression; substance use; bipolar disorder; and schizophrenia. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices includes Mental Health First Aid training.
The 8-hour training will be provided over two (2) days. There is a registration fee of $25.00 which includes a workbook and lunch the first day of the training. Trainings are limited to 20 participants and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Trainings will be held on the following dates (times and locations may vary): May 8 -9; June 9 - 10; July 14 - 15; August 14 - 15; September 22 - 23; October 9 - 10; and November 17 - 18. To register for the training, please contact Michelle Miner, Therapist/CIT Program Manager, at 540-899-4357 or mminer@racsb.state.va.us. Visit www.racsb.state.va.us for additional information and a training flyer.
Mental Health First Aid originated in 2001 in Australia under the direction of founders Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm. To date, it has been replicated in twenty other countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Scotland, England, Canada, Finland, and Singapore. Mental Health First Aid USA is coordinated by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. To learn more, please visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org.
New W.R.A.P. Class at On Our Own of Roanoke Valley - Posted 1.23
Begins January 29th from 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Call 540.362.0061 for details.
Beginner Yoga at "84 Main" in Warsaw - Posted 1.23
Tuesdays, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
For further information: 804.333.3581
From John J. Pezzoli, Acting Commissioner, DBHDS - Posted 1.23
The final Comprehensive State Plan for 2014-2020 has been posted on the Department's web site at http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/OPD-default.htm The State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services endorsed this Plan at its December 6, 2013 meeting.
The Comprehensive State Plan for 2014-2020 fulfills the requirement in §37.2-315 of the Code of Virginia that the Department produce a six-year plan for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services. By statute, the Comprehensive State Plan must identify the services and supports needs of persons with mental illnesses, mental retardation, or substance use disorders across the Commonwealth; define resource requirements; and propose strategies to address these needs.
The 2014-2020 Comprehensive State Plan identifies future directions for Virginia's behavioral health and developmental services system and proposes specific actions for addressing critical issues facing the Commonwealth.
Due to budgetary restrictions, printed copies of the Plan are not available to the public. Please contact Charline Davidson, Planning and Development Director, if you need assistance in accessing the Plan online.
WCVE's "Virginia Currents" Highlights Friends4Recovery Whole Health Center - Posted 1.20
See it here:
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.
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Conferences, Trainings, and Webinars
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2014 Tools for Change Conference - Posted 1.30
March 7-8 in San Francisco, California
For information:
http://dignityandrecoverycenter.org/toolsforchange2014/
SAMHSA Webinar: Ethics and Boundaries for Peer Leaders - Posted 1.23
February 13th from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
As pioneers within an emerging field, peer-run organizations and recovery community organizations have developed ethical codes of conduct in order to maintain high standards for these programs designed, implemented or operated by people in recovery. Ethical codes of conduct not only ensure the integrity of a recovery-orientation, they also reflect the recovery community principles, values and culture in all settings in which peer services are being offered.
This webinar will identify peer ethical codes and guidelines that are developed in a peer context and incorporated in peer and community settings.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ethics-and-boundaries-for-peer-leaders-tickets-10124337165
Apply to Join Virtual Learning Community on Trauma-Informed Peer Support and Trauma-Informed Organizational Change! - Posted 1.23
SAMHSA's National Center on Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC) is pleased to offer the opportunity for peer-run programs to apply to participate in a free, intensive, 6-month Virtual Learning Community on Trauma-Informed Peer Support and Trauma-Informed Organizational Change. Five organizations across the country will be selected to take part in this new learning opportunity.
For more information: http://www.nasmhpd.org/docs/NCTIC/Peer-Run_VLC_application_invitation.pdf
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
Mental Health America of Virginia Advocacy Conference - Posted 12.19
February 10th - 12th in Richmond
Application deadline is January 13th
Go to:
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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Veteran's Corner
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Veterans' Advisory Council Forming - Posted 1.23
VOCAL is organizing a Veterans' advisory council that will meet by teleconference every other month.
Please call Jane Ellis at the Network office at 804-343-1777 or email: jane@vocalvirginia.org to get involved.
Veterans Crisis Line Availabe to Vets, Service Members, and Their Families - Posted 1.23
Veterans, service members, and their family members who are in emotional distress are urged to call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be connected directly to a qualified, caring VA professional. All calls are confidential.
To chat online and to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, veterans can visit the Web site: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net .
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Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia
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Reston Drop-In Center
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)
http://mhav.org/programs/Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Falls Church
ANC436@aol.com NAMI Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
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Job Opportunities
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PT Relief Peer Support Specialist at On Our Own of Roanoke Valley - Posted 1.30
4-8 hours weekly, starting level $7.25 - $10.65 (depending on qualifications)
Applicant must be a Peer Support Specialist or enrolled in an upcoming training. In addition, WRAP facilitator certification preferred. Prefer applicant to be a consumer of mental health services. He/she must demonstrate through experience knowledge of mental illness. Have good interpersonal, communication, and writing skills. Prefer applicant has completed a pre-vocational program or held competitive employment. Prefer applicant have a completed WRAP Plan. Prefer applicant have a valid driver's license and a car, be willing to provide transportation as needed. Must be comfortable with disclosure of own recovery story and willing to use it within the guidelines of the Peer Support Program ethics. Have a high school diploma or a GED. Strongly encourage Veterans to apply.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision.
Must be able to operate various office equipment including computer, e-mail, and word processing.
For further information:
Please submit application to OOO, 429 Elm Ave, SW Roanoke, Virginia 24016 by February 28, 2014.
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Other News
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disAbility Law Center of Virginia Needs a New Logo - Posted 1.30
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia needs a new logo! Join our contest with judges and prizes.
Submit your entry by February 28 and follow these rules at http://disabilitylawva.org/dlcv-logo-contest/
The disAbility Law Center seeks a society where the rights of all people with disabilities are respected. The disAbility Law Center is a new nonprofit, assuming a more effective advocacy vision than its state agency predecessor. Visit www.dLCV.org or 1910 Byrd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230 or call 800-552-3962 and friend us on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/dLCV-Facebook.
DBHDS Office of Cultural and Linguistic Competence January Newsletter "Ideas Into Action" - Posted 1.27
This newsletter, a publication of the Office of Cultural & Linguistic Competence at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, is intended to highlight best practices and share new ideas related to culturally appropriate services and language access in the Commonwealth's behavioral health and developmental disability services system.
http://tinyurl.com/mu2mrmf
Study Says Mental Health Crisis May Be Better Served in Homelike Environment Instead of Traditional ER - Posted 1.16
http://tinyurl.com/msj88o7
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?
Seven New Grant Opportunities from SAMHSA - Posted 1.9
http://beta.samhsa.gov/grants
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
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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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