RECOVER e-works: Issue No. 18

An electronic circular of the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery (formerly the New York Work Exchange), a project of the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies.

The Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery provides assistance to the New York City mental health provider community through expert trainings, focused technical assistance, evaluation, information dissemination and special projects.

October 2005

(See all RECOVER e-works Issues)

This issue:

• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
• Job Accommodation Network
• Mental Health Association of NYS
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
• National Institute of Mental Health
• NY Coalition for Asian American Mental Health
• Technical Assistance & Policy Analysis Center for Jail Diversion

• National Institutes of Health

• Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance Program
• Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York
• Republican Study Committee
• Social Security Administration
• SAMHSA
• VESID

• Canadian Mental Health Association- National
• Kaiser
• National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
• National Institute of Mental Health
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• Ontario Peer Development Initiative
• SAMHSA
• US Department of Labor
• University of Illinois/Chicago

Education:

• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies: the Coalition is hosting "The Low Income Subsidy and Medicare Part D" October 14th, 2PM-4PM reviewing Medicare Part D and the role of SSA in administering the Low Income Subsidy referred to as "extra help" applicable to dual eligibles and beneficiaries with incomes below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line. On October 28th, 9:30AM-12PM "Social Security Administration Programs: An Overview" will include a review of retirement programs, survivor disability, auxiliary benefits, the Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency program, and SSI. For more information on both these events call 212-742-1600, ext. 210.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is offering free PowerPoint presentations, videos, and training material through its Presentation Library to aid in training in employment and retention of individuals with disabilities. Topics include resourcing One Stops and understanding substance abuse issues in the workplace. To access go to: www.jan.wvu.edu/ppt
• Mental Health Association of New York State will be hosting its Annual Awards Dinner and Conference on October 20th-21st at the Albany Marriott. Included will be a screening of "Out of the Shadows", a film documenting the filmmaker's experience with family schizophrenia and panels on Medicare Part D and PROS. For more information go to: www.mhanys.org
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill will hold its 23rd Annual Educational Conference October 28th-October 30th in Albany, NY. "Navigating in Rough Seas: Finding the Way to Recovery from Mental Illness" will focus on recovery, the criminal justice system, solitary confinement and the insanity defense. For further information go to: www.naminys.org/conference%202005%20brochure%202.pdf
• National Institute of Mental Health along with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry will be hosting a conference called "Mental Disorders Among Latinos: Biological and Psychosocial Influences on Diagnosis and Treatment" in Princeton, NJ on November 7-9, 2005. Research on Latino mental health will be the main theme. For more information call (732) 235-3959 or go to: www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/latino2005.cfm
• NY Coalition for Asian American Mental Health (NYCAAMH): "Break the Silence: Assessment and Prevention of Suicide Among Asian-Americans" is a conference sponsored by the NYCAAMH and the National Asian American Pacific Islander MHA on October 21st and 22nd at the NYU School of Medicine, 550 Fifth Avenue, NYC. The conference will include workshops on various aspects of suicide including prevention, depression screening, and substance abuse. For more information go to: www.asianmentalhealth.org/eventsupdates.asp
• Technical Assistance & Policy Analysis Center for Jail Diversion (TAPA): "Juvenile Diversion Programs and Mental Health Courts", a free teleconference sponsored by TAPA, part of the National GAINS Center of SAMHSA, will be held on October 11th from 2PM-3:30PM (EDT). This teleconference will cover mental health issues among justice-involved youth and diversion tactics from the juvenile justice system. For more information go to: www.gainscenter.samhsa.gov/pdfs/eNews/Oct_11_Net_Conf_Desc.pdf

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• National Institutes of Health has posted a series of links intended to be a resource for the behavioral and biomedical research community on anticipated research topics and NIH funded research initiatives. Included are links to the American Psychological Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. For more information go to: grants.nih.gov/grants/katrina/index.htm

News Briefs/Events:

• Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance Program (ADA TAP) provides up to date information on the ADA including consumer assistance on the rights and responsibilities in the work place and disability information for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. If advocacy is required legal referrals can be made. To view services go to: www.adata.org
• Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York is hosting a Career Fair for New York City public high school and college students with disabilities. This event will be held at 731 Lexington Avenue, NYC on October 27th from 9:30AM-1:30PM. Participants will meet high level corporate citizens in various fields with an interest in mentoring students. RSVP is required by October 24th. For more information call 646-442-4245
• Republican Study Committee has launched "Operation Offset", the budget cut plan designed by Republicans to pay for costs incurred by Hurricane Katrina. The main goal is to control federal spending by possibly delaying the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, increasing Medicaid co-payments, and converting the federal share of Medicaid payments for acute care services into a block grant. To read more go to: johnshadegg.house.gov/rsc/RSC_Budget_Options_2005.doc
• Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program has released proposed revisions to the regulations requesting public comment with a deadline of a 90-day comment period (December 29th, 2005). Topics include a revised interface between State VR Agencies, ticket users and Employment Networks (ENs) and EN payment schedules. To view more detail go to: policy.ssa.gov/erm/rules.nsf/0/9fe46866babbb19b8525708c006d230a/$FILE/rin0960_af89p.htm
• SAMHSA: a proposed expansion of the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) in the Federal Register was announced by SAMHSA inviting public comment by October 25th towards future revisions. This resource is nationally recognized for identifying and promoting effective treatments for mental and addictive disorders. To access go to: modelprograms.samhsa.gov/template.cfm?page=nreppover

and-
SAMHSA has established a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Callers will be given a brief assessment that is resource driven and a network of local crisis counseling centers across the country. The number to access is 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• VESID will hold a public meeting at the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies on November 2nd from 2:30PM-4PM. This is part of the State Plan development process seeking public comment on linking individuals with disabilities to employment. Electronic submissions can be sent to VRpolicy@mail.nysed.gov or through the Virtual Public Meeting at discus.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/discus-mando/discus.cgi For more information and to request accommodations contact VESID at 800-222-5627. For directions to the Coalition go to: www.coalitionny.org and- An extension to October 31st, 2005 has been approved on reimbursement submissions for Supported Employment contracts for the past fiscal year July 2004-June 2005. For more information contact your District Office or go to: www.vesid.nysed.gov/supportedemployment

Publications:

• Canadian Mental Health Association- National has made available a new booklet called "Hangin' In There: Strategies for Job Retention by Persons with a Psychiatric Disability" (2005). Employment related supports are described in this guide and other resources are accessible by going to: www.marketingisland.com/CMHA/pages/product.asp?id=3170
• Kaiser and the Consumers Union have created a guide to handling disputes with health care plans that includes a general overview and a listing of individual plan requirements (August 2005). Consumers are given a list of questions to ask in order to gain an understanding of their coverage and avoid disputes. To access go to: www.kff.org/consumerguide/7350.cfm
  and-
  A comprehensive site related to Hurricane Katrina is available- Health Care in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina including surveys, state facts, HIV/AIDS issues, and documents. Go to: www.kff.org/katrina
• National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors has made available "Implementing Recovery-Based Care: Tangible Guidance for SMHAs" (Fall, 2004).This e-Report on recovery includes essays from a variety of experts in psychiatric rehabilitation including C. Harding, W. Anthony, and K. Power. To access go to: www.nasmhpd.org/spec_e-report_fall04intro.cfm
• National Institute of Mental Health has data available from a December 2000-December 2004 study describing information that compares the effectiveness and side effects of five, new and older medications used to treat schizophrenia (September 2005). To access go to: www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/catie.cfm
• NYS Office of Mental Health is inviting feedback on the finalization of a working document called "A Transformed Mental Health System" (September 2005). This booklet describes OMH's vision for a "transformed" mental health system. For more information go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/transformation/transformationbooklet.pdf
• Ontario Peer Development Initiative: a Canadian report, "Consumer/Survivor Initiatives: Impact, Outcomes & Effectiveness" (March 2005), examines the validity of consumer involvement in consumer/survivor initiatives and how this involvement can reduce hospitalizations and enhance recovery. To access go to: www.ofcmhap.on.ca
• SAMHSA: The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005) is the primary source of statistical information on the use of illegal drugs by individuals in the US. Included is data on the prevalence and treatment of mental health problems and youth prevention-related measures. To access go to: www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh.htm#NSDUHinfo
• US Department of Labor has a publication entitled " Opening Doors to All Candidates: Tips for Ensuring Access for Applicants with Disabilities" (October 2005). This publication provides suggestions for employers in hiring people with disabilities including job analysis, communication, and accommodations. To access go to: www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/opening.htm
• University of Illinois/Chicago's Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research has introduced a newsletter that describes research and training activities (July 2005). Contents include psychocultural correlates of rehabilitation success for African-Americans and building capacity in community-based organizations for research and evaluation. To access go to: www.uic.edu/orgs/empower/Center%20web%20page/ccbmdr.htm

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

To subscribe or unsubscribe: E-mail RECOVER e-works@coalitionny.org