NYWe-works: Issue No. 14

June 2005

(See all NYWe-works Issues)

This issue:

• Boston University
• Kaiser Family Foundation
• Marge Tierney Memorial Scholarship
• National Institute of Mental Health

• Department of Small Business Services
• NYS Office of Mental Health

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment
• Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Department of Labor
• NYS Department of Labor
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• New York Work Exchange
• Social Security Administration
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
• Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities

• Advancing Suicide Prevention
• George Washington University
• National Institute of Mental Health
• National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
• NY State Office of Mental Health
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
• SAMHSA

Education:

• Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is offering a series of 5 modules focused on helping professionals work effectively with families of people with psychiatric disabilities. Each module includes a trainer and participant manual with recommended readings, training content, and exercises. For more information go to: www.bu.edu/cpr/catalog/multimedia/families.html
• Kaiser Family Foundation has a new site with access to data, literature, and news developments on health policy. Narrated slide tutorials such as health coverage and the uninsured, reference libraries including the basics of Medicare, and issue modules can be accessed. Go to: www.kaiseredu.org/
• Marge Tierney Memorial Scholarship: Marge Tierney, leader in the field of rehabilitation developing enhanced employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, has a scholarship in her name awarded annually for $1,000 for individuals pursuing a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. For more information go to: www.vesid.nysed.gov/all/marge05/index
• National Institute of Mental Health has made available video casts of the plenary sessions, "Mental Health Treatments and Evidence Based Practices for Treatment and Dissemination" from April 2005. Information is presented on scientific advances in mental health and substance abuse treatments and the application of evidence-based practices for treatment. Dr. Robert Myers from the NY State Office of Mental Health presents "Implementing Evidence Based Practices in New York". To access all presentations go to: www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/partners/meetingapril2005.cfm

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (7/1)Department of Small Business Services seeks a contractor to provide workforce preparation, job search, placement services, and other workforce development services at the One Stop Center located in Jamaica, Queens. A pre-proposal conference will be held on June 20, 2005 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the Queens One Stop Center. The RFP is available at: www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/rfp_06-2005.html.
• (6/17) NYS Office of Mental Health announces the availability of funds for Supported Housing for Adults with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. Applications are due June 17th. Funding will provide rental assistance and support services for individuals within the 5 boroughs of NYC. For more information go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/rfp%5Fsh/index.htm

News Briefs/Events:

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment will be posting information regarding potential, upcoming approval by the Senate of a 20% cut to the Supported Employment Grant Program recently voted on in the House. These cuts could potentially diminish the state VR system in their efforts to provide supported employment services. To access advocacy information visit the home page at APSE and click on Public Policy at: www.apse.org/index.html
• Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) is comprised of the chief administrators of public rehabilitation agencies constituting State partners for services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that serve individuals with mental and physical disabilities in the United States. The website offers CSAVR position papers and updates on the Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and the Rehab Act currently before the Senate. To access go to: www.rehabnetwork.org/
• Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is proposed for a cut for Fiscal Year 2006 of up to 41% towards complete elimination of the office in 2-3 years. This potential cut would be additional to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) currently before the Senate. ODEP works at the highest levels of DOL at improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Contact your representative to stop this cut under review by the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee (H.E.L.P.). To locate your NY representative access the Coalition's website at: capwiz.com/cvmha/state/main/?state=NY&view=myofficials#0
• NY State Department of Labor (DOL) is co-sponsoring "The Right Track for Re-Employment Success" - 9th Annual Rapid Response Summit, August 30-31 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Information presented will include up-to-date information on WIA reauthorization and practices that will foster increased employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information go to: www.workforcenewyork.org/rrsummitannounce.html
• NYS Office of Mental Health will be offering a series of informational briefings and public hearings on the 2005-2009 NY Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health Services. In New York City the briefing will take place June 22nd 1-4 PM and the hearing on June 23rd 10 AM-3 PM both at the NYC Field Office, 330 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor, Conference Room A. For more information call: 212-330-1651. The Plan can be accessed at: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/statewideplan/
• New York Work Exchange: "Understanding Benefits: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Entitlements for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities", a 3 day professional seminar offered by the Work Exchange, June 28th-30th. The seminar will provide information on the basics of entitlements for the mental health recipient including SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, eligibility determination, and new legislative changes. For registration information call 212-742-1600, ext. 235.
• The New York Work Exchange has posted information on the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Approach on its website. View PowerPoint presentations on "An Overview of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Approach", "Assessing Readiness", "Developing Readiness", and "Choosing a Valued Role". Other modules will be forthcoming. To access go to: www.coalitionny.org/projects/psychiatricrehabilitation.html
• Social Security Administration in coordination with the Ticket to Work program will be presenting a series of 10 nationwide employment Conferences and Expos designed to help individuals with disabilities link with organizations helpful in navigating the employment process. For more information go to: www.tickettoworkexpo.com/
• US Psychiatric Administration (USPRA) has posted information on Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) exam dates. There is updated information on 2005 CPRP renewals. To access go to: www.uspra.org/certification/
• Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities: VESID has posted: "Procedures for Processing Supported Employment Payments" to address reimbursement issues for Supported Employment contracts. This can be accessed at: www.vesid.nysed.gov/supportedemployment/qanda.htm
• VESID has issued an update on the Unified Contract Services (UCS) RFA indicating that there will be delays in the start date of all contracts including current UCS contract agencies and future agency awardees. Information will be issued shortly outlining the continuation of services during this hiatus. To access the website with this updated information go to: www.vesid.nysed.gov/ucs/home.html

Publications:

• Advancing Suicide Prevention, inspired by recent federal initiatives in the prevention arena, has published its first issue with articles on suicide's toll in the country and suicide risk factors. This new publication is reflective of similar suicide initiatives recently produced by the New York State Office of Mental Health. To access the May/June 2005 issue go to: www.advancingsp.com/
• George Washington University has published "Innovative Methods for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities" from the 2005 Thirtieth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues. This document is comprised of five chapters with references and study questions. Topics include: best practices and alternative methods; systemic issues; and managing change. To view go to: www.gwu.edu/~iri/pdf/30.pdf
• National Institute of Mental Health's "National Comorbidity Survey Replication Study (NCS-R): Mental Illness Exacts Heavy Toll, Beginning in Youth" (June 2005) is a landmark study documenting the prevalence and severity of specific mental disorders. New data on impairments that can cause such things as absenteeism at work and economic burdens are included. To access go to: www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ncs-r.cfm
• National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse has a web-based Directory of Consumer-Driven Services (CDS) posted in May 2005 from leaders in the field that provides consumers, researchers, and service-providers with a resource on national and local consumer-driven programs. To view go to: www.cdsdirectory.org
>NY State Office of Mental Health: "Saving Lives in New York: Suicide Prevention and Public Health Challenge, Strategy and Policy Recommendations" (May 2005) is a comprehensive report on suicide prevention. With a forward by Dr. Sharon Carpinello, Commissioner of NYS OMH and recently named Chairperson of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Steering Committee, the data-driven report outlines a preventative, diagnosis-driven strategy for treatment and the use of community resources. To access go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/savinglives/
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal has currently made available an article: "Consumer-Run Drop-In Centers: Program Operations and Cost" (Spring 2005). Results describe the service costs, salary levels, funding levels, and scope of services of a significant number of consumer-run drop-in centers in Michigan. To view go to: www.bu.edu/prj/spring2005/HolterPRJSpring28.4.pdf
• SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information has mental health publications available for purchase. Some of the topics include links between marijuana and mental illness, substance abuse treatment for individuals with co-occurring disorders, and patterns of mental health service utilization and substance abuse. To access go to: store.health.org/catalog/results.aspx?h=drugs&topic=80
• SAMHSA has a Mental Health Services Locator (updated August 2003) that provides comprehensive, national information and resources. Included is an updated Directory of Drug, Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs, the National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2005. This guide provides information on numerous treatment programs across the country. To access the 2005 guide with a link to the Mental Health Services Locator go to: dasis3.samhsa.gov/

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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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