NYWe-works: Issue No. 13

May 2005

(See all NYWe-works Issues)

This issue:

• Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 2005 Conference
• Health E-Campus

• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• New York State Department of Health
• SAMHSA
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development

• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers
• Howie T. Harp
• National Rehabilitation Association
• SAMHSA

• Center for Law and Social Policy
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Community Service Society
• New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
• NYC Rent Guidelines Board
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• SAMHSA

Education:

• Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry Conference at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue on June 3rd from 8:30AM - 5:30PM includes topics on Cognitive Training in Supported Employment, Social Cognition in Schizophrenia, and Changes in Cognition-Related Brain Activity. For information call 718-920-4736.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 2005 Conferencein Whippany, NJ, September 10-11 has consumer scholarships available through SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services. A completed application and letter of recommendation are required no later than May 31st. To obtain an application and registration information go to: www.dbsalliance.org/Conference/conference.html
• Health E-Campus will be offering the New Manager Series, Training Session I - Introduction and Overview on March 14th from 9:30-5:30 at 90 Broad Street, 8th floor.  This session will provide an overview of the three sessions in the Professional Development Series and will focus on key issues and challenges faced by mid-level managers in behavioral health agencies.  This is open to both members and non-members.  Fee and registration information can be obtained by calling 212-742-1600, ext. 106.

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (N/A) New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has posted an RFP for Supportive Housing Programs for Homeless Persons with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 12th, 10AM at 2 Lafayette Street, 18th Floor Conference Room. Proposals can be submitted on an ongoing basis. Funding is available for 700 units in newly constructed or rehabilitated single site buildings. For more information call 212-219-5873.
• (6/15) New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Systems Management Adult Home Initiatives is soliciting all NYS certified adult homes to apply for grants to provide programs and services to improve residents' quality of life. A total of $2 million will be awarded. The deadline is June 15th. For information call 518-474-2881.
• SAMHSA Individuals interested in applying for SAMHSA grants on line can do so at www.grants.gov This system expedites the registration process by creating one application step for 26 participating federal departments and agencies. To see a questions and answers from a March web cast on grants.gov go to: http://www.grants.gov/SpreadWordWebcast
• (5/19) US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approximately $10 million available from its Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted to Alcohol Program. This is a two year competitive demonstration program for chronically homeless persons with a long term addiction to alcohol. Submission deadline is May 19th. For more information go to: www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa05/grphaa.cfm
• (5/24) HUD's Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program has $95.8 million available for capital advances and contracts for construction or rehabilitation of a structure for various housing options. For information go to: www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa05/sec811sec.pdf

News Briefs/Events:

• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers assist individuals in understanding the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Ten Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs), funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), provide technical assistance and training on all aspects of the ADA. To access the Northeast, Regional II center situated at Cornell's Program on Employment and Disability go to: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/daa/daa.html
• Howie T. Harp is offering the Re-Entry and Beyond Community Resource Fair on May 20th from 10AM-2PM at the Harlem State Office Building at 163 125th Street (7th Avenue) addressing barriers faced by mental health recipients re-entering the community after prison. For more information call Howie T. Harp at 212-865-0775.
• National Rehabilitation Association: the WIA Plus Block Grant will likely be before the Senate the week of May 9th. The WIA bill could emerge from the H.E.L.P. committee and be voted on affecting vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. For more information on this bill, other updates, and advocacy/Senator contact information go to: http://www.nationalrehab.org/website/govt/200324.html
• SAMHSA is seeking comments on a working draft of its Strategic Plan that contains key activities, vision, and the mission addressing the unique needs of individuals with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Comments can be submitted up to June 15th by going to: http://www.samhsa.gov/strategicplan/toc.aspx

Publications:

• Center for Law and Social Policy has released a paper called "Workforce Investment Act: Senate WIA Reauthorization Bill Should Not Adopt the Administration's Consolidation or WIA Plus Proposals" (April 2005). This paper outlines the reasons why the Senate should not adopt 2 reauthorization initiatives: S. 1627 proposing the consolidation of funding for WIA adult, dislocated worker, youth and Employment Service; and WIA Plus allowing the consolidation of many federal programs including VR. To access go to: http://www.clasp.org/publications/oppose_wia_plus.pdf
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the First National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) Data report (April 2005). Upward trends in suicide and homicide in six participating states showed increases in suicide and homicide rates from 2000-2003. The CDC hopes to expand NVDRS to all 50 states. To access go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/profiles/nvdrs/facts.htm
• Community Service Society has a report called "Unemployment and Joblessness in New York City, 2004 Better, But Still a Long Way to Go" (February 2005). The report reviews the effects of the 2000-2003 recessions lingering into 2004 unemployment rates with some improvement among Black men and job retention rates. To view the report go to: http://www.cssny.org/pubs/special/2005_02labormarket.pdf.
• New Freedom Commission on Mental Health has released "The Background Paper by the Evidence-Based Subcommittee of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" (April 2005). The paper describes current evidence-based initiatives, the importance of an infrastructure supporting implementation, and policy options to overcome barriers to implementation. To access go to: http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/EBP_Final_040605.pdf
• NYC Rent Guidelines Board has a report called the "2005 Income and Affordability Study" (April 2005). The report shows that the number of New Yorkers on public assistance rose in 2004 for the first time in 10 years despite the drop in unemployment numbers. Twenty-five percent of renters spend over 50% of their income on rent. To view go to: http://www.housingnyc.com/downloads/research/pdf_reports/ia05.pdf
• NYSOMH has released the 2005-2009 Statewide Comprehensive Plan (January 2005) complimenting last year's plan. New and expanded information is included with overviews of selected segments of the public mental health system. To access go to: http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/statewideplan/
• SAMHSA has made available hard copies of the Evidence-Based Practices Tool Kits (spring 2005). The Tool Kits are still in draft form. For ordering information go to: http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/communitysupport/toolkits/
• SAMHSA has a new report called "Free to Choose: Transforming Behavioral Health Care to Self-Direction" (spring 2005). The report summarizes the 2004 Consumer Direction Initiative Summit. Self-directed care is defined and visions of the future are discussed. To access go to: http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/SMA05-3982/default.asp

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NYWe-works is a monthly electronic newsletter for mental health and rehabilitation providers in New York City. NYWe-works contains news briefs, information on publications, funding information, and educational resources.

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