NYWe-works: Issue No. 9

January 2005

(See all NYWe-works Issues)

This issue:

Education
*    Boston University
*    CMHS
*    Howie T. Harp
*    MAXIMUS
*    USPRA

Funding and Grant Opportunities
*    NCSTAC

News Briefs/Events
*    Bazelon
*    Boston University
*    CMS
*    DOL
*    Institute for Community Inclusion
*    Office of the Mayor
*    SAMHSA
*    TWWIIA

Publications
*    Bazelon
*    DOL
*    National Organization on Disability
*    NYC Independent Budget Office
*    CCRR
*    OMH
*    Social Policy Research Associates
*    SAMHSA

Education:

• Boston University: The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation announces its 2005 class of the Certificate Program in Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation which will begin May 9, 2005. The Certificate Program offers information, skills, and tools within the vocational rehabilitation field for people with psychiatric disabilities. For more information call: 617-353-3549. A completed application postmarked or faxed by 5 PM on 1/31/05 will allow for $100 off tuition upon program acceptance.
• CMHS is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to participate in the annual American Psychological Association convention scheduled for May in Atlanta. The completed application and letter of recommendation must be received by February 25, 2005 in order to be eligible for this scholarship. Conference information is available at: www.psych.org/edu/ann_mtgs/am/05/index.cfm
• Howie T. Harp will be offering the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) test review every Tuesday starting January 18, 2005 to March 8, 2005 from 3:30-5:00 pm at 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., 12th floor, New York, NY 10027. This training is for anyone already signed up for the March 12th exam and is free (there is a $30 fee for textbook material). For more information call: 212-865-0775.
• MAXIMUS is offering a training conference call on January 27th, 2PM on filling out Social Security's ongoing RFP on becoming an Employment Network. Interested individuals must RSVP with a copy of the RFP by January 21st. For instructions call 866-968-7842 ext 6720 or 703-236-6720. To download the RFP go to: www.yourtickettowork.com/rfp
• USPRA's CPRP exam is being offered at various locations in the US and Canada in the spring of 2005. For exam information go to: www.uspra.org/certification/index.html. To check on renewal status for existing CPRPs go to: www.uspra.org/certification/existing/getRenewalInfo.html.

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (2/4) NCSTAC: SAMHSA supported National Mental Health Association's National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center (NCSTAC) is announcing two grant opportunities for consumer groups and organizations: Organizational Establishment Mini-Grants and Consumer/Peer Run Programs for Mental Health Transformation Grants. Applications are due February 4th. For more information and to download the application go to: www.ncstac.org

News Briefs/Events:

• Bazelon has issued a synopsis of the brief 108th session of Congress prior to the holiday break highlighting reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), restoration of Jail Diversion and Seniors' Funds, and other mental health program funding. To view go to: www.bazelon.org/takeaction/alerts/12-04update.htm.
• Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is seeking mental health recipients as participants on an anonymous internet survey announced in December 2004 for the study called "Professional Practices that Promote Recovery: Development of a New Instrument". This anonymous Internet survey tests a new instrument that assesses the relationships people in recovery have with mental health and rehabilitation providers. For more information go to: swww.bu.edu/cpr/rprs
• CMS's Independence Plus Demonstration Program makes it easier for consumers to hold on to more control of community-based services that include supported employment and accommodations. This Demonstration Program is made available to states via the1915(c) Waiver Template. To read Governor Pataki's November 9th, 2004 press release on the 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver for New York State go to the Governor's home page and click on press releases at : www.state.ny.us/governor.
• DOL: this is a reminder that as of January 1st, 2005 the first incremental increase in the state's minimum wage will have been implemented. As of that date, the current $5.15 rate will increase to $6.00, eventually rising to $7.15 an hour in January 2007. For more information go to: www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/employer_responsibilities/workprot/lshmpg.htm.
• Institute for Community Inclusion's new web site StateData.info is designed for state agency staff, researchers, policymakers, and advocates. This website generates customized charts of state, national, and individual disability data. Current data sets include Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security, and workforce. To visit go to: www.statedata.info.
• Office of the Mayor, NYC: on December 3rd, 2004 the Mayor's office codified Int. # 310-A to provide discharge planning for inmates serving 10 or more days under the Department of Corrections. Int. # 310-A requires the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with such things as assistance in applying for government benefits and employment. To view the bill go to: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200310-2004.htm?CFID=4254&CFTOKEN=45907227.
• SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services has funded the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline with a 3-year, $6.6 million grant to provide information about and assistance in implementing suicide programs. Certified suicide crisis centers will also be increased. To view the new web site go to: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
• TWWIIA: the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel will be holding a Deliberative Panel Teleconference open to the public (including the hearing impaired) on January 18, 2005 from 1-3 PM. The interested public is invited to participate by calling 1-888-323-2711, pass code "Panel". Part of the discussion will be the Panel's Annual Report to the President and Congress. To schedule call the Federal Government Relay Services at (800) 877-8339 at least 2 hours in advance and ask the Operator for a Supervisor. For more general information, call 202-358-6430 or email TWWIIAPanel@ssa.gov.

Publications:

• Bazelon has posted a document called "The Role of Specialty Mental Health Courts in Meeting the Needs of Juvenile Offenders" (September 2004). Mental health courts and their utility are examined as a response to communities in their concern over an increase of common arrests and incarceration of juveniles with serious mental disorders. To view go to: www.bazelon.org/issues/criminalization/juvmhcourts.
• DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy offers an extensive list of valuable fact sheets. Included is "Tax Incentives for Businesses" and "Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program". Numerous other fact sheets are available by going to: www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/publicat.htm.
• National Organization on Disability has posted findings from the 2004 National Organization on Disability/Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities. Findings include ten key areas of life showing marked disadvantages for Americans with disabilities including employment and educational information. To view go to: www.nod.org/content.cfm?id=1537.
• NYC Independent Budget Office has made available a news fax called "While Fewer in the City Receive Welfare, Many More Get SSI" (December 2004). This brief looks at SSI and public assistance trends in New York City and the advantages of SSI. To view go to: www.ibo.nyc.ny.us/newsfax/insidethebudget136.pdf.
• NYWE has posted the curriculum of the "Work and Recovery Project" on the CCRR web site. This 20 page curriculum outlines the objectives of the project, curriculum topics, exercises, and readings. To view this document and information on the project go to: www.coalitionny.org/projects/workandrecovery.html.
• OMH has issued the 2004 Interim Report on the 2004-2008 Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health Services issued January 2004. This report presents modifications to the Statewide Plan, a summary of Legislative and Executive Budget actions, and stakeholder input at the 2004 briefings and hearings that will be used to design the 2005-2009 Comprehensive Plan. To view the Interim Report go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/Statewideplan/interim/index.htm.
• Social Policy Research Associates has published a 140 page report as part of the national evaluation of the implementation of WIA called "Business as Partner and Customer Under WIA: A Study of Innovative Practices" (June 2004). This report examines WIA implementation, partnership building, and engaging businesses in strategic planning. To access the link to this publication and others go to: www.spra.com/pr_reports.shtml#workforce.
• SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies released the report "Health Services Utilization by Individuals with Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders" (September 2004). The report examines treatment choice and retention, access to mental health services, and client characteristics and choice. To view go to: oas.samhsa.gov/HSR/toc.htm.

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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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