VOCAL'S MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY NEWS FOR 4.30.2015

In Today's Digest....

New in the Digest This Week

VOCAL News

News Around the Commonwealth

Veteran's Corner

Conferences, Trainings, Workshops and Webinars

Links to Peer-Run Programs

Other News

Look What Our Members Are Doing!

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.

New in the Digest This Week

VOCAL Conference Registration Deadline Extended to TOMORROW, May 1st - Posted 4.30

May 1st will be the FINAL DEADLINE to register for "Charting the Journey".

You can download the Conference registration form here. We are excited about the opportunity to offer help with writing your Advance Directive at our Conference, but you MUST preregister when you fill out our registration form. Please review that section at the bottom of the form.

VOCAL Conference Scholarships for WRAP Facilitators: Deadline TOMORROW - Posted 4.30

VOCAL is offering three full scholarships to its May 18 - 20 annual conference,"Charting the Journey", to active WRAP Facilitators with an interest in learning about Virginia Advance Directives.

WRAP Facilitators who are not already registered for the conference, and who have led at least one WRAP group in the last 6 months, are invited to apply for a scholarship to our conference in Harrisonburg.

The scholarship will not include the cost nor the arrangement of transportation.

To apply: (1) notify Ann Benner at ann@vocalvirginia.org of your interest, AND (2) complete and submit the

conference registration form at www.vocalvirginia.org. Write "WRAP scholarship" at the top of your form.

May 1 is the deadline for application.

Eleventh Annual "The Art of Recovery" Opens May 1st (Fredericksburg) - Posted 4.30

May 1-24
Ponshop Studio, 712 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg (22401)
540.656.2215

Featuring original artwork by individuals with mental illness.

VOCAL Proposed Bylaws Changes Document and Notice of Annual Membership Meeting - Posted 4.30

The link below will take you to the bylaw changes document, in draft, the final of which will be presented to the membership for a vote at our next annual meeting on May 19th from 1:00 - 2:45 p.m. at our Annual Conference in Harrisonburg. You do not have to register for the Conference to attend the Annual Meeting.

We welcome your comments to: network@vocalvirginia.org

http://vocalvirginia.org/#/key-documents/4534481121

Western State Hospital's Creative Healing Art Show (Staunton) - Posted 4.30

Friday, May 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
R. R. Smith Center, downtown Staunton

Free Training and Research Project: Hearing Voices - Posted 4.30

The Hearing Voices Research and Development Fund, through the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care, is beginning a 3-year training and research project to bring Hearing Voices support groups to communities across the United States, and to research the mechanisms by which these groups work. The project will train more than 100 facilitators in 5 regions and create a stronger regional and local infrastructure of Hearing Voices peer-support groups across the USA.

Once a greater number of groups are up and running, the project will conduct a comprehensive study whose goal will be to identify the factors promoting effectiveness of these groups. (Participation in the research phase of the project will be fully voluntary, regardless of whether or not someone has participated in any of these trainings.)

Proposals are now welcomed from individuals and organizations who would like to be selected as one of the 5 project regions across the USA where the trainings will take place.

For more details on this project and related training opportunities: http://www.mentalhealthexcellence.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015_April_Hearing-Voices-RD-Fund-Project-Announcement.pdf

For an application to bring one of the five trainings to your area: http://www.mentalhealthexcellence.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015_April21_Hearing-Voices-RD-Fund-RFP-Guidelines-and-Application.pdf

Applications are due June 1st.

New Resource on Developing Welcoming Religious Communities Is Available for Free Download - Posted 4.30

A guide to help religious communities connect with individuals who have mental health conditions has been published by the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse in collaboration with the Temple University Collaborative on Community inclusion. Faith communities typically value outreach and inclusion, but may not know how to connect with individuals who have mental health conditions. This new resource offers some valuable direction on the issue. You can access the guide, Developing Welcoming Religious Communities: Inspiring Examples of Faith-Based Initiatives to Help Individuals with Mental Health Conditions Participate Fully in the Life of Religious Congregations, by clicking here.

Alternatives 2015 in Memphis! Call for Proposals - Posted 4.30

October 14th - 18th

Info here

Beacon Institute: Veterans Pathways in Williamsburg - Posted 4.30

Housing and support services to the military community.

Visit here

VOCAL News

Conference Schedule (Workshops, Etc.) Now Available on VOCAL's Website - Posted 4.27

*Please note: This schedule is subject to change. You do NOT have to preregister for workshops.

http://www.vocalvirginia.org/#/vocal-conference/4534274248

VOCAL to Offer WRAP� Facilitator Training in July - Posted 4.6

VOCAL will offer the Copeland Center approved WRAP� Facilitator Training July 20-24 at Shalom House Retreat Center in Montpelier.

The Facilitators/ Trainers will be Beth Gager and Bonnie Neighbour.

The cost for 40 hours of training, 5 days room and board, and facilitator

manual is $1500. Some full scholarships are available for peers with

financial need, who have plans to hold WRAP� groups.

Please contact Ann Benner at ann@vocalvirginia.org, or 804. 343.1777.

VOCAL's Whole Health Network (VWHN) #14 - Posted 4.6

What's financial 'wellness'?

SAMHSA definies it as "Satisfaction with current and future financial situations."

Read more about financial wellness here.

Check Out VOCAL Workshop Offerings: Twenty-Five Topics on Recovery, Peer Support, Advocacy and Peer Run Programs

VOCAL has been a leader in Virginia's mental health recovery movement since 2002. Our workshops and professional trainings uniquely blend the experience of individuals who live with conditions commonly referred to as mental health disorders with an up-to-the-minute understanding of state and national mental health systems, and evidence-based recovery tools.

Developed by people who have personally experienced mental health crisis, VOCAL programs value the worth and dignity of each individual, the right to self-determination, and the important contributions of peer support and self-help.

These workshops are designed for peers, peer support specialists, providers, family and supporters of those in recovery.

We can deliver a one-day conference, half-day workshop, or one presentation, all especially designed for the interests of your group.

Workshops are free to peer-run organizations.

For complete workshop descriptions go to:

http://www.vocalvirginia.org/#/vocal-events/4533123864

Join VOCAL's State-Wide W.R.A.P. Facilitator Network

If you've trained in facilitating Mental Health Recovery including Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) workshops, the program developed by Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland, Join VOCAL's network today!

Email Ann Benner, R.E.A.C.H. Program Director:

ann@vocalvirginia.org

Link to VOCAL Board Calendar

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=8n1cslha5ohv0sp6ghf2n25mbc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

News Around the Commonwealth

"Hope in Motion": A New Peer Run Drop In Center in Virginia Beach - Posted 4.9

Opening on Friday, May 1st at 5:00 p.m. and then Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Beacon House, 3808C Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach (23452)

Community resources, games, Goal Setters Group, job search assistance, WRAP�, Crayon HeArt, Whole Health and Resilience, Bridging Hearts, socialization, peer support services, movies and special events.

Call: Lynn Lull at 903-441-5934 or Don Ayers at 757-621-9937 or email:hopeinmotion13@gmail.com

"At Ease": A New Support Group in Richmond - Posted 4.2

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. for all active duty, national guard, and reserve veterans.

Meets at Wamsley United Methodist Church, 2950 Wamsley Boulevard in Richmond (23234).

For more info, email Troy Barnett: atease2015@gmail.com

"Open Mic" in Charlottesville - Posted 3.30

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, "Brave Souls on Fire" will host an open mic.

This Open Mic is an opportunity for individuals with a lived experience of mental illness to share poetry, essays, drama, songs or anything that has been instrumental in their journey. The event will take place May 1^st at6:00 p.m. at The Haven, 112 West Market Street in Downtown Charlottesville. Individuals throughout Virginia are welcome to participate. Sign- up is required and space in limited. Sign up starts at 5:30p.m.

This event is co-sponsored by Region Ten Community Services Board & Mental Health America, Charlottesville-Albemarle. For further information call 434. 282.0096 or email:bravesoulscville@yahoo.com

Veteran's Corner

Veterans Crisis Line

Call: 1-800-273-8255

http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Link

http://www.wearevirginiaveterans.org/

Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke

Every Monday at 1 p.m.

540-362-0061

New Tool Connects Vets and Employers

The Veterans Employment Center, an inter-agency collaboration from the White House's Joining Forces initiative, has announced a new online tool to provide veterans with employment resources. ebenefits.va.govwill connect veterans and service members with public and private sector employers who are looking to hire people with military experience, including individuals with disabilities.

For more information and employer resources, visit www.AskEARN.org.

Conferences, Trainings, Workshops and Webinars

Webinar: "Special Enrollment Periods and Resources for the Unemployed" - Posted 4.27

May 6th, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

The health care law has created special enrollment periods for those who experience special circumstances such as graduating from college and losing health insurance, getting married and needing coverage for a spouse, losing employer insurance or turning 26 and losing coverage on a parent's health plan. Join this webinar to learn more about special enrollment periods and how to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace. For those who are uninsured and don't qualify for the special enrollment period, learn what resources are available and when to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

First Fridays with BRSS TACS: "Peer Support in Homeless Service Settings" - Posted 4.23

May 1^stfrom 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

To register

DBHDS Certified Cultural & Linguistic Competence Facilitator I Training (Blacksburg) - Posted 4.16

June 3-4, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily

The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center

For further information, please contact Cecily Rodriguez: cecily.rodriguez@dbhds.virginia.gov

VACSB Development and Training Conference in Williamsburg - Posted 4.9

Registration is open for the VACSB 2015 Development and Training Conference to be held May 6-8 at the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center in Williamsburg.

For more information and to register

Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia

Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery
www.aphpr-rpsva.org

Reston Drop-In Center

restondropincenter.org

Consumer Wellness Center (Annandale)

http://consumerwellnesscenter.org/services.html

Recovery In Motion ( Fredericksburg)
www.recovery-in-motion.org

Blacksburg Computer Empowerment Services

http://computerempowerment.net/about.htm

Friends4Recovery Whole Health Center (Richmond)

http://www.friends4recovery.org

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
www.onourowncville.org

84 Main (Warsaw)
804.333.3581

Recovery Resources and Support
http://www.rrs4hope.com/

The Laurie Mitchell Empowerment and Career Center (Alexandria)

www.lmec.org

Our Family (Winchester)

540.667.8888 or dking@nwcsb.com

Other Program Information:

Virginia Peer Support Coalition (Virginia)

http://vpsc.groupsite.com/main/summary

Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV)

http://mhav.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Falls Church
ANC436@aol.com

NAMI Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

http://namivirginia.org/

NAMI Central Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
http://www.namicentralvirginia.org

SAARA of Virginia (Richmond)
http://www.saara.org/events-calendar.php

Spiritworks Foundation Center for Recovery of the Soul (Williamsburg)
http://www.spiritworksfoundation.org/events-calendar/

Roads to Recovery (Lynchburg)
http://roads2recovery.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/

Other News

Hospital Compare: New Services at Medicare.gov Helps People Find Quality Care - Posted 4.27

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has introduced a new service to help Americans find quality care: Hospital Compare. Hospital Compare has information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals.

Try Hospital Compare here: http://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/

SAMHSA BRSS TACS Develops Draft Core Competencies for Peer Workers - Posted 4.27

In support of its strategic initiative priority areas of Recovery Supports and Workforce Development, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center (BRSS TACS) has identified and developed a draft set of core competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health settings.

These core competencies are the foundational and essential competencies required by all positions that provide peer support in behavioral health services. The competencies are common across a range of roles and environments. This includes such providers as Peer Specialists, Recovery Coaches, Parent Support Providers, Youth Peer Support Providers, and others.

SAMHSA is providing the public an opportunity to review and make comments on these draft competencies. If you would like to review the competencies and provide feedback, go to

http://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/core-competencies-peer-workers . You are encouraged to read the brief overview of the core competencies and the Q&As before providing your comments.

Look What Our Members Are Doing!

"UNHOLY HELL: A Preacher's Journey Through Depression and Recovery"

Book written by Terry Dow

Available on March 6 on Amazon in print and on Kindle

"Walking in Hope, Living in Grace: The Tapestry"

Book written by Maryalyce Poole, available at Amazon

"A Rooted Mind: Saying Yes to Beauty, Wellness and Deeply-Rooted Mental Health"

Book written by Beth Gager, available at Balboa Press

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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DISCLAIMER:

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.