NYWe-works: Issue No. 15

An electronic circular of the New York Work Exchange

The New York Work Exchange, a project of the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Inc., provides assistance to the New York City mental health provider community through demonstration projects, information updates, expert trainings, focused technical assistance, and evaluation.

July 2005

(See all NYWe-works Issues)

This issue:

• American Psychological Association
• Coalition of Mainstream Employment Programs
• Literacy Assistance Center
• National Institute of Health
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
• University of Illinois/Chicago

• Department of Education

• Coalition of Voluntary Mental health Agencies, Inc.
• Howie T. Harp
• New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage
• New York Work Exchange
• World Health Organization

• Advocates for Children
• Centers for Disease Control
• Kaiser Family Foundation
• Monthly Review
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• SAMHSA
• Vocal Program Support Center

Education:

• American Psychological Association's Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice Task Force on Serious Mental Illness has developed the "Training Grid Outlining Best Practices for Recovery and Improved Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness" as a PDF download. Mental health policy makers, consumers, advocates, and students can use this as a training that provides a catalogue of brief descriptions of interventions and contact information. To access go to: www.apa.org/practice/grid.html
• Coalition of Mainstream Employment Programs and the State University of New York at Buffalo are offering a training called "Orientation to Supported Employment" on July 13th from 9 AM-4 PM at Lifespire, Inc., Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, suite 314. For more information call 212-741-0100, ext. 4519.
• Literacy Assistance Center has over 800 programs across the state of New York providing free and low cost programs in English for speakers of other languages, GED preparation, and adult basic education. To access go to: www.lacnyc.org
• National Institute of Health's Office of Research on Women's Health provides access to various seminars as part of its Women's Health Seminar Series. Included are topics on depression and sleep disorders. To access go to: http://www4.od.nih.gov/orwh/video.html
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) Self-Determination Strategies training includes the fundamental principles of self-determination and its impact on service providers and consumers. Topics include "Shaking Off Stereotypes", "Self-Advocacy", and "Leading Change". These strategies are available on CD for $149 (USPRA members) and $185 (non-members). Handouts are included. To access the order form go to: www.krm.com/regonline/iapvcregs.nsf/10709
• University of Illinois/Chicago's National Research and Training Center's (NRTC) Peer Support Outcomes Protocol (POP) involved the development, testing, and dissemination of evaluation protocols to measure service outcome of mental health peer support programs. NRTC has made available project products and supporting materials. To access go to:www.psych.uic.edu/uicnrtc/pophome.htm

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (8/16) Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has announced an invitation for applications to support one Rehabilitation Research and Training Center focused on Promoting Access To Effective Consumer-Centered And Community-Based Practices And Supports For Adults With Serious Mental Illness. Funding is estimated at $1.3 million annually for five years. Applications are due August 16th. For information go to: www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2005-2/061705a.html

News Briefs/Events:

• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Inc./New York Work Exchange have up to date information on Medicare Part D on both websites. Included are links to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) providing information on drug coverage and formularies, position papers, and other useful resources. To access go to: www.coalitionny.org/medicare_ptd/index.html or www.coalitionny.org
• Howie T. Harp is hosting focus groups for consumers working or interested in working in the human services field on July 15th from 1-4 PM and July 16th from 11 AM-2 PM to identify unmet training and career development needs. For more information call: 212-865-0775
• New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage (NYFAHC) of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) pays attention to consumers with higher than average health care needs and works as a coalition to represent people with disabilities. Advocacy is provided related to bills and actions such as Medicare Part D. For more information on what NYFAHC provides go to: cidny.org/cidny/npo.jsp?pg=guide&guide;=531
• New York Work Exchange has obtained a few copies available for loan of "Inside Outside- Building a Meaningful Life after the Hospital". This 60 minute videotape from SAMHSA features an introduction by Patricia Deegan, Ph.D. and the story of eight people with serious histories of institutionalization. To inquire about borrowing this tape please call 212-742-1600, ext. 235.
• World Health Organization (WHO) is launching the first ever global forum about community-based psychosocial rehabilitation services that represent alternatives to psychiatric hospital care. Some of these alternatives include medication, psychological support, and rehabilitation activities. WHO is encouraging organizations and individuals around the world to relay their experiences of what works. For more information go to: www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2005/pr21/en/index.html

Publications:

• Advocates for Children has a released a report called "Leaving School Empty Handed" (June 2005). This report reviews the graduation outcomes for the 170,000 or more children diagnosed with a disability and in need of special education in New York City. Some of the key findings include differences found among children with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and hearing impairments. To access go to: www.advocatesforchildren.org/pubs/2005/sped-grad/sped-grad-06-02-05.pdf
• Centers for Disease Control: The CDC's "Guide to Community Preventive Services: What Works to Promote Health?" (May 2005) is available online. This guide reflects the CDC's expanded mission into mental health and covers co-occurring disorders, recurrence, and provider screening tools. For more information go to:www.thecommunityguide.org/mental/default.htm
• Kaiser Family Foundation posts reports and publications on Medicare/Medicaid Dual Enrollees, Women's Health, and Reform Policies on Health Coverage and the Uninsured. Currently a new national survey is available covering a broad range of issues facing women from health care status to prevention. To access Kaiser's main page go to:www.kff.org
• Monthly Review: "The Right Not to Work: The Power and Disability" (March 2004) is a first hand account of the politics of disability from an individual's perspective currently on SSI. Detailed are the issues involved in deciding to work or not work and how society views this. Discussions include the categorization of disabled persons as 'disadvantaged citizens' hence 'politically disabled'. To view go to: www.monthlyreview.org/0304taylor.htm
• NYS Office of Mental Health has Mental Health Resources for the Public (April 2004) available online that include topics on Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Medications. To access go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/booklets
• SAMHSA has made available its "National Outcome Measures" (NOMS- June 2005), a data resource to help facilitate evidence-based decision making for federal and state substance abuse and mental health managers. This resource, comprised of a series of reports on topics such as employment and retention, is the beginning of a state by state picture of mental health and substance service system results. To access go to: ww.nationaloutcomemeasures.samhsa.gov/./outcome/index.asp
and-"Overview of the Mental Health System for Criminal Justice Professionals" (March 2005) provides basic information about adult mental health services and the challenges the mental health and criminal justice systems face in meeting the needs of adults with mental illness. This publication can also act as a reference to court personnel and diversion programs. To access go to: www.gainscenter.samhsa.gov/pdfs/jail_diversion/MassaroII.pdf
• VOCAL Program Support Center funded by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services has "A Cookbook for Consumer Run Services" available on line(November 2004). The 'Cookbook' outlines the necessary ingredients for peers to start a peer-run program including a vision statement and networking techniques. To access go to: www.vocalsupportcenter.org/Cookbook%20for%20Consumer-Run%20Programs.pdf

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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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