National Empowerment Center - Creating Connections through Dialogue, June 10-12, Beverly, MA

invite you to a 2-day mini-conference: Creating Connections Through Dialogue  Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12, 2011 Before *USPRA’s annual conference which begins on Monday, June 13th in Boston, MA.   Location: Endicott College (on the ocean) Beverly, MA (1/2 hour north of Boston)   We live in an increasingly interdependent and interconnected world. If you are a person in recovery, someone who provides services and/or support, a family member, or someone from the community, you are invited to join us at 2-day gathering that will provide an opportunity to explore various aspects of connectedness and the implications for recovery and wellbeing.   In a beautiful, informal setting by the ocean, engage with exciting speakers, join in interactive discussions and brainstorming sessions, and explore how connections play a vital role in individual wellbeing and the promotion of social change. A facilitated dialogue between providers and consumer/survivor leaders will help both groups to build skills and collaborate more effectively in the provision of services and in advocacy.   Featured speakers include: ·      Robert Whitaker – Curbing an Epidemic: How "Medication Optimization" Can Promote Robust Recovery ·      Dan Fisher – Building Community through Finding Our Passion and Engaging in Loving Dialogue ·      Will Hall – Coming Off Psychiatric Medications and Living with Mental Diversity ·      Shery Mead & Chris Hansen – Intentional Peer Support as Social Change and Dialogue in Difficult Situations: An Alternative Approach to Crisis ·      Debbie Whittle – Living into Wholeness: Connecting through the Authentic Self ·      Suzanne Beachy – Connectedness: A Mom’s Antidote for Grief, Guilt and Shame ·      Beckie Child and Amy Zulich – Using Our Gifts, Strengths, Talents and Capacities to Connect to Our Community ·      Will Hall – Coming Off Psychiatric Medications and Living with Mental Diversity ·      Lauren Spiro – A Journey from Individual to Group to Large Scale Social Change ·      Oryx Cohen – Growing the Hearing Voices Movement in the United States Click here for more information.   *USPRA (U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association) Conference information Scholarships are available for USPRA Conference travel, registration, and lodging. Individuals who are awarded a USPRA scholarship may be able to attend the Creating Connections through Dialogue Pre-conference.   USPRA CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DUE FEBRUARY 28, 2011 - The purpose of USPRA scholarships is to provide the opportunity for persons who, due to financial restrictions, would be unable to participate in the USPRA conference without scholarship support. This scholarship offers the recipient a complimentary 4-day conference registration. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please download and complete the USPRA Scholarship   Forward this email to a friend



NH DHHS Announces Improved Process for Benefit Delivery

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Family Assistance (DFA) is announcing a change in the electronic benefit delivery system (EBT). Beginning October 12th, people who receive benefits through the EBT system will no longer need to travel to their local DHHS district office to pick up and PIN their EBT card. Instead, cards will be mailed directly to them.

Once the EBT card recipient receives their EBT card they can log into www.ebtedge.com to establish a pin and get account information or call 1-888-997-9777. Food Stamp benefits are delivered through EBT, as well as cash assistance benefits, which recipients can access through ATM’s or at grocery checkouts.

"Besides being more convenient for the people we serve,” said DFA Director Terry Smith, “this change will add efficiency to operations by reducing traffic into our district offices. It's a win-win for everyone."

EBT became the method for issuing cash and food stamps in the mid 1990's, when it replaced the mailing of checks and food stamp coupons, providing cost savings to New Hampshire estimated at $1 million over the first seven years.

If a recipient's EBT card is lost or stolen they can order a replacement by calling the customer service number at 1-888-997-9777.

EBT card users can find more information and a list of stores where EBT cards can be used at www.ebtedge.com.



National Empowerment Center - Alternatives 2010: Keynotes Announced, Conference Brochure Available

Alternatives Keynote Sessions

We are delighted to announce a diverse and inspiring line-up of keynote speakers and panel discussions at Alternatives 2010.  Pamela Hyde, JD, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)    How Consumers Can Help Shape Health Care Reform - Panel Discussion The comprehensive health care reform signed into law by President Obama in March 2010 represents a set of new opportunities and challenges for the consumer/survivor movement. Panelists will discuss how consumers can have an active role in the process. Black Men Speak: African-American Men Tell their Story Hear the story of what it is like to be African-American men with substance abuse and mental health issues and their individual roads to wellness and recovery. Interwoven in their stories are challenges of trauma, family issues, community violence, and the importance of faith, set in the context of the legacy of slavery. A Life in the Community - Peer-run Hospital Diversion Programs - Panel Discussion Peer-run hospital diversion programs are an effective way to help people avoid costly and unnecessary hospitalization and to recover in the community. Panelists will discuss their experience with running successful peer-run hospital diversion programs.   Forward this email to a friend

Conference Brochure Available

Our conference brochure is available for download now - featuring the conference schedule, workshop highlights, conference highlights, and more! Click here to view the conference brochure.   And if you haven't yet registered, do so today! Alternatives 2010, taking place September 29 - October 3, is the annual event to connect and network with other consumer/survivors across the nation. You will experience ground-breaking workshops and cutting-edge institutes, exciting arts events featuring local talent, and numerous opportunities for spiritual and creative expression. It's always an unforgettable conference!   [Click here to register.]

Caucus Applications Due August 14

Each year Alternatives provides a forum for networking and discussing important issues with peers from around the country. Caucus sessions will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. [To apply for a caucus session, click here.]   Please submit your caucus session request no later than August 14, 2010. All caucus sessions must be approved in advance. When accepted, you will be notified of the date of your caucus session.   SPACE IS LIMITED - SIGN UP EARLY!!

Ride and Rooms Board on Facebook

Our Alternatives 2010 Facebook page already has over 270 members. Please join the group via Facebook and encourage your friends to do so! There is a discussion already going about room and ride shares. This is a great way to build community and make connections before the conference begins!   You can also click below to "follow" Alternatives 2010 via Twitter.

Language Interpretation Available Upon Request

Alternatives 2010 is committed to making this conference accessible to people of diverse cultures. Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Vietnamese, ASL, and other languages; requests must be indicated on the registration form by August 15. Thank you!

Alternatives 2010 Flyer Available in Spanish, Vietnamese

The Alternatives 2010 flyer is now available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Please click here to download the English version, click here for the Spanish version, and click here for the Vietnamese version. Please post these flyers wherever you can to help spread to the word. Thank you!

Alternatives 2010 is funded by:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services •  www.samhsa.gov



Shea-Porter Resolution Honoring Social Workers Passes House

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter’s resolution honoring professional social workers. The Congresswoman, a former social worker herself, spoke on the House floor and urged her colleagues to vote in favor of the resolution. 

“Social workers dedicate their time, energy, and lives to assisting individuals, families, and communities,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “As someone who used to work in social services myself, I understand the unique challenges social workers often face. My resolution honors the more than 600,000 people in our country who help improve our society by devoting their lives to social work.”

March is Professional Social Work Month and March 16^th is World Social Work Day.