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Greetings!
SEEDS Conference
October 1st
In keeping with MHA-AZ's tradition of bringing folks together to talk about public policy issues impacting the community, this year's 2014 SEEDS conference is just around the corner. The event will be Wednesday, October 1st from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the ASU West Campus at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Glendale. The theme is the "Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice". MHA-AZ is pleased to partner with ASU Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Arizona Justice Alliance, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council, and David's Hope, to bring this event to our community.
The issues to be addressed are the many barriers to success and recovery that surface, and how two very complex systems -- the public behavioral health system and the criminal justice system -- interact. In all honesty, we could spend a week discussing these issues. We don't have a week; we have a one-day conference targeting both behavioral health and criminal justice. Experts will begin the dialog about how to find opportunities and respond to the challenges in providing treatment so that individuals can be diverted from incarceration at the pre-trial stage. The conference is solution-focused, with problem-solving workshops.
Targeted participants are representatives of the behavioral health and criminal justice systems. Each system has its own fragmented approaches to problems, and much less the ability to coordinate overcoming barriers to care and providing adequate services while assuring public safety. Arizona is not alone in facing this problem, but the dialog is beginning.
There are many presenters and workshops, providing a full day of learning. In addition, a post-lunch panel will include: John Bellati, Mesa City Prosecutor; Aaron Bowen, Psy.D., Assistant Director Quality & Integration, ADHS/DBHS; Elizabeth Finn, Presiding Judge, Glendale City Court; Bill Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney; Jeremy Mussman, Deputy Director, Maricopa County Public Defender's Office; and Terry Stevens, CEO of Cenpatico.
Registration is $79 which includes parking, lunch, refreshments and CEU credits. Click here to be certain to join us on October 1st.
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Mental Health 60 min
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This is a 2014 story of a father and state legislator dealing with the problems his family faced when his adult son could not find the resources needed. Senator Deeds has sought solutions so that other families won't face the tragic outcomes his family experienced.
As Paul Gionfriddo, President/CEO of Mental Health America, has noted, as advocates, policymakers and practitioners we frequently get mired down in "Stage 4" thinking about problems especially when faced with a situation like the one recounted above. In the process of getting from our "Stage 4" policies and practices, our community will need to look at service adequacy so we can reduce incarceration and promote community resources that empower recovery and resiliency.
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Coming Events
It really is mid-September and we still have our air conditioner chilling us out. The promise of cooler weather and busy schedules is upon us. Listed below are events that can fill your calendar for the coming weeks.
- Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition (PAFCO) and the Arizona Council of Human Service Providers, along with other health and human services organizations are hosting a Candidate Forum on September 30th from 6 to 8 pm at the SpoFit, Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center gymnasium, 5031 E. Washington, Phoenix. Invited Guests are Fred DuVal and Doug Ducey, candidates for Governor; and Terry Goddard and Michele Reagan, candidates for Secretary of State. The event is free and open to the public. Click here to sign-up
- The Human Rights and Health Care Forum will be hosted on October 4th at the Glendale Library, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale at 1 pm.
- Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA) will host its 15th Annual Community Mental Health Arts Show during Mental Health Awareness Week, October 8-11. The Arts show will be hosted at the CPSA Training Center at 2502 N. Dodge, Tucson. The public reception will be hosted on Tuesday, October 7th from 5-6:30 pm at the Training Center. There is no charge for the event. Art entry forms can be found here and questions should be directed to 520-618-8816.
- The Annual conference for Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition will be held October 9-10 from 8 am to 4:30 pm each day at the Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix. Registration rates are $139 for 1-day, $219 for the 2-day conference, and Group Registration of 3 or more persons is at $209. A survivor rate without CEUs is $70. Register by going here
- The annual NAMI Valley Walk is planned for Saturday, October 18th from 8:30 am with start time for the walk being 9:30 am. The location this year is the Arizona State Capitol grounds with both a 5 K and a 1.2 K walk route. Sign up as a walker or sponsor a friend or colleague by going to this site .
- The 21st Annual Arizona's Coalition to End Homelessness will be on October 21-22nd at the Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix. The Conference starts at 8:30 am on the 21st and concludes at 3:30 pm on the 22nd. This year's Keynote Speaker is Richard Cho, Senior Policy Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Robert Egger, Founder and President of LA Kitchens. Registration is now open and the rate depends on whether you're a member of the Coalition. Details for the conference is here
- David's Hope-Arizona Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition will host David's Hope Law Enforcement Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 6th from 6-8:30 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. This is the first fundraiser and the dinner is $45 per person. Register here.
Please share this information and your upcoming events.
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 Yep, it's only September 15th and we've got the General Election on November 4th still on the horizon. The campaigns know there's only 50 days to get their message out to you, the voter, and convince you to get to the polls. For those who aren't registered to vote or who moved since they voted last, there's still time to register for the General Election. You've got to get that tasks done by October 6th. You can register online at this site by selecting the register to vote tab. If you've signed up or want to sign up to get on the the Permanent Early Voter List (PELV), please do so. I love to get my ballot at home so I can do look ups and debate with my spouse about who I should vote for or if I'll support the ballot measure. I have time to do my homework rather than enter the polling place and skip lots of races. Early ballots are mailed out on October 8th. So, get your early ballot request in, do your homework and then do that other essential step mail in the voted ballot. It's easy and efficient! You've got questions, check out this website here Hope you took time to vote in the Primary held on August 26th. Were you happy with the outcomes? For some readers, the primary was the decision time for the state legislative candidates since there will be no General Election opposition for those races. We all still have decisions to make about those statewide races.
Need help making decisions among the candidates? There are candidate websites to help you and a Voter Education Guide for statewide and legislative candidates pamphlet that was prepared for the Primary election and mailed to voters' homes.
Plenty of "stuff" is out there to help you, but it does require taking time to look stuff up and become knowledgeable. In addition, campaign materials will be mailed to you and radio and TV ads are already running. I've even got a few campaign calls and not just looking for a donation. For the statewide office there will be televised debates and some community debates. It's fun, if you're a junkie for this type of stuff, to watch the debate or get to those community meetings. As President Lyndon Johnson observed, "A man without a vote is a man without protection." Let's get involved and protect our voice.
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Thanks Again
Again want to acknowledge the support of Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc,\. corporate with MHA-AZ in 2014.
We invite your participation and sharing of this newsletter by forwarding to your friends and colleagues. If they wish to receive the free newsletter, encourage them to simply click on the link here. Let's share the word. Let's get involved.
Eddie L. Sissons
Executive Consultant
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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