RECOVER e-works: Issue No. 20

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.

December 2005

This issue:

• Boston University
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
• NYC Employment and Training Coalition
• SAMHSA
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association

• Kresge Foundation
• Lumina Foundation
• Union Square Awards
• US Department of Education

• Bazelon
• Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery
• NYC Department for the Aging
• NY/NY Agreement
• SAMHSA
• US Department of Labor
• VESID
• Workforce USA

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
• Georgetown University
• Kaiser
• Minnesota Governor's Council
• National Council on Disability
• Public/Private Ventures
• US Department of Labor

Education:

• Boston University: the Certificate Program in Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation is offering its 10th cycle in May 2006. The program provides new information and skills in the field of vocational rehabilitation and allows for 60 hours of intensive psychiatric rehabilitation training. A discount in tuition is available for applications made prior to December 16th, 2005. For more information go to: www.bu.edu/cpr/training/vocrehab
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies: the Coalition is offering repeat free trainings on Medicare Part D December 14th 2PM-4:30PM and 19th from 10:30AM-12:30PM at 90 Broad Street, 8th Floor. Included will be information on provisions and "extra help". Pre-registration is required. For more information call 212-742-1600, ext. 210. We operate a Medicare Part D Helpline on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 10AM and 5PM to answer questions regarding MPD. The number is 212-742-1873.


and-

A third in a series of eleven trainings on Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) on December 22nd from 1PM-5PM is being offered by the Coalition. "Overview of Dual Diagnosis: Principles of Integrated Treatment and Treatment Planning" will be held at Roosevelt Hospital, 10th Avenue and 59th Street, Conference Room B, Second Floor. Included will be how to conduct a functional assessment leading into treatment planning. For more information call 212-742-1600, ext. 102. To access the full IDDT training schedule on line go to www.coalitionny.org
• NYC Employment and Training Coalition will be presenting "New York's Labor Market: Where Are the Jobs?" on December 9th from 10AM-12:30PM at 153 E. 53rd Street, 14th Floor, Conference Rooms KLM. A description of the current NYC labor market and prospects for the year ahead will be included. To register call 212-253-6873.
• SAMHSA is offering a webcast on December 15th on "Using Self Direction/Peer Support in Planning for and Reacting to Disasters" from 1PM-2:30PM (Eastern Time). The webcast will include resources pertaining to disaster preparation and information from survivors of disasters. For more information call 301-589-4020, Ext 211.
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) has posted new information on the fees for the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) examination. For more details go to: www.uspra.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3681
  
  and-
  
  USPRA has scholarships available for financially constrained individuals who want to attend the June 2006 USPRA conference. Applications will be received between December 15th, 2005-January 15th, 2006 and recipients will be notified February 28, 2006. For more information go to: uspra.org/files/public/Scholarship_Application.pdf

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (ongoing)Kresge Foundation: the Kresge Foundation has ongoing grant money to assist nonprofit groups supporting people with disabilities. If interested, submit a Letter of Inquiry. The Board meets in December, March, June and September and decisions are made within 4-6 months. For further information, contact 248- 643-9630 or go to: www.kresge.org
• (ongoing)Lumina Foundation: the Lumina Foundation has funds available to support programs affecting access and attainment in post-secondary education among underserved students including 18-24 year olds and adult students with numerous barriers. For more information go to: www.luminafoundation.org/grants/index.html
• (2/28/06)Union Square Awards: the Union Square Awards provide support to innovative creative arts programs engaging youth and families in low-income communities with limited access to the arts. Numerous artistic disciplines will be considered. Grants ranging from $25,000-$50,000 are distributed annually in June. Nominations will be accepted through the end of February. For more information go to: www.unionsquareawards.org/v2/arts_initiative
• (1/3/06)US Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services RFP establishes community training and information centers for parents of children with disabilities to improve recovery outcomes. Areas with a high number of underserved parents of children with disabilities will be targeted. Ten awards will be given at $100,000 each. The deadline is January 3, 2006. For more information call 202-245-7357 or go to: a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-22258.htm

News Briefs/Events:

• Bazelon: comments regarding Bazelon's opposition to the President's nomination of Samuel Alito to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court including details on Judge Alito's record on disability issues can be accessed at: www.bazelon.org/takeaction/alerts/11-13-05-AlitoAlert.htm
• Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery of the Coalition (formerly the New York Work Exchange) has a new look to its website with updates including current events. The Center can now be accessed through the Coalition's home page at www.coalitionny.org Any visitors to the New York Work Exchange site will be redirected to the Coalition's website.
• NYC Department for the Aging's HIICAP program has opened 38 Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment and Information Centers to assist consumers with Medicare Part D including plan selection. To locate the nearest Center and make an appointment call 311 and indicate Medicare Part D. To access more information go to: www.nyc.gov/html/dfta/pdf/hiicap_EnrollmentInformationCenters.pdf
• NY/NY Agreement: Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg announced the signing of the third New York/New York agreement. Supportive housing will gain 9,000 funded units over the next ten years including 4,000 units for New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities. To view the Governor's press release go to: www.ny.gov/governor/press/05/1107051.htm
• SAMHSA has announced a new website on accessing SSI/SSDI for people who are homeless called SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery). Included are resources for case managers such as a manual called Stepping Stones to Recovery that is downloadable, a listserv and information on the SOAR Technical Assistance and Training Initiative. To visit the website go to: www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/SOAR
• US Department of Labor's "Pathways to Employment" is a new initiative designed to help evacuees and survivors of this year's hurricanes locate employment and training opportunities utilizing the 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. To access go to: www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20051850.htm
• VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities) has a webpage created in response to concerns about UCS (Unified Contract Services) reporting and reimbursements. Included at the webpage are Guidelines to Providers for Completion of the VR 370 Monthly Service Report and a listing of VESID District Office VR 370 liaisons. To access go to: www.vesid.nysed.gov/ucs/370.htm
• Workforce USA has an improved website that provides resources in workforce development and updates on workforce policies and practice. To access go to: www.workforceusa.net

Publications:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a report (September 2005) within the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report MMWR on attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 4-17. Included is a description of the sociodemographic characteristics of ADHD. To access go to: www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5434a2.htm
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies: the Coalition has made available a "Provider Guide to the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit" (October 2005) on its website. The Guide includes a definition of Medicare Part D, enrollment and disenrollment issues and coordination of benefits. To access go to: www.coalitionny.org/medicare_ptd/Provider_Guide_to_Medicare_Part_D_10-24-05.pdf
• Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute has published "Understanding Changes in Prescription Drug Coverage for People with Disabilities on Medicare" (November 2005), a guide with a question and answer format including worksheets usable for physician consultations regarding current pharmaceutical use and plan selection. To download go to: hpi.georgetown.edu/rxchanges.html
• Kaiser has the following reports (November 2005) available via its home page:
  -"Hispanics/African-Americans and the New Medicare Drug Benefit"
  -"Long-Term Care: Understanding Medicaid’s Role for the Elderly and Disabled"
  -"State Medicaid Fact Sheets"
  To access these reports go to: www.kff.org
• Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has released a report (May 2005) called "Employer Focus Research Survey" that identifies and measures employer issues that are barriers to increased employment outcomes for individuals with a full range of disabilities. To access go to: www.mncdd.org/
• National Council on Disability (NCD) released the report "The Social Security Administration's Efforts to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities: New Solutions for Old Problems" (November 2005). The report charges Congress and the Social Security Administration to expedite changes for SSI and SSDI recipients to return to gainful employment. To access go to:
• Public/Private Ventures: "When the Gates Open" (October 2005) is a publication describing a seventeen site national ex-prisoner re-entry initiative called Ready4Work developed by Public/Private Ventures. The nation's re-entry crisis is described including the role of community-based organizations. To access go to: initiativewww.ppv.org/ppv/community_faith/community_faith_publications.asp?section_id=3#pub189
• US Department of Labor periodically updates its web page called "Employment Laws: Overview and Resources for Employers" that provides information and links including the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) and the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) to assist employers in the hiring of individuals with disabilities. The latest sheet for November 2005 can be accessed at: www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/overview.htm

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