Leadership in Action is  a 3 day course, utilizing the the West Virginia  Leadership Academy Model.  The Leadership in Action Course is designed for consumers who wish to develop the knowledge and leadership skills needed to become active leaders in their local CRO, the consumer movement and/or in the community at large. It is  held once or  twice a year in various locations across the state.

This year Leadership In Action will be held in Great Bend at Bright Horizons CRO, May 22-24, 2012. This year registrations will be open to consumers active at CROs in Great Bend, Hays, Hutchinson and Dodge City.

If you are interested in attending or have questions about this event contact:

Email: cheriedbledsoesbcglobalnet

The budget is very tight, but thanks to some funding from SRS, there will be a leadership accademy this year.

Leadership Academy is a two-month training designed for consumers who wish to develop the knowledge and leadership skills needed to become active leaders in the consumer movement and/or in the community at large. The Academy is sponsored by your Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health.

Participation in the Academy includes:

• 6 Academy days of Sessions (Students must Attend ail 6 daily sessions in order to graduate.)
• 1 elective class in the community
• 1 community service project

The community service project will be of the student’s own choosing and will be overseen by a mentor. Most of the mentors are fellow consumers, but some may be from the general public. Academy sessions are typically held in the spring in two consecutive months on three consecutive days each month. Each daily session includes 4 class lectures and a time to work on your projects with your mentor. Sessions usually run from 9:00 am until 5:00 p.m. all 6 days. Attendance for the full time is required. A class consists of no more than 25 students.

There is no cost to the student for taking advantage of this opportunity. Car-pooling between students is required and lodging, meals, and mileage reimbursement will be provided.

The 2012 Leadership Academy will be June 18-22, 2012 in Wichita. Applications for the 2012 Academy will be accepted until May 12 . Applications are  available at CROs, or  by contacting Su Budd of the Academy.  This year preference will be given to consumers who are active members of a CRO.  The hope being to train one or two members from each CRO.

If you have any further questions please, contact our Leadership Academy director, Su Budd using the information below or the contact form found on our contact us page. Thank You!

Email: subuddfreeshellorg

SAMHSA is looking at breaking country into 10 regions. Our current region is: KS, MO, Iowa & NE.   The SAMHSA regional office is now in Kansas City The new Regional Director is Laura Howard.  She has a history of being  friendly to consumer interests.

While the overall SAMHSA budget request decreased for FY 2013 the bright spot is that it contained a 40 million dollar increase in Federal Mental Health Block Grants, which should mean, increased funding for Kansas.  The CAC has requested that state funding for the CAC and CRO’s be moved back under the Federal Block grants.  If approved, this should help to assure funding for consumer initiatives in the future.  For more on the SAMHSA budget see http://www.samhsa.gov/budget/

In April SAMHSA released a request for proposals for 11 new statewide consumer  network grants. Since the CAC’s  current  grant expires this year, we are eligible and plan to submit a proposal  The CAC cannot extend the Trauma Informed Care initiative or use it to fund other current programs. We must come up with a completely new initiative.Proposals are due May 18.  For more on these grants go to:
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1204174021.aspx

SAMHSA releases Mental Health, United States 2010 report.  This SAMHSA publication provides a uniquely comprehensive set of information regarding behavioral health services delivery in the U.S. – including national-level statistical information on trends in both private and public sector behavioral health services, costs, and clients. Drawing on diverse data sources, this publication also includes state-level data and information on the mental health needs and services utilization of special populations such as children, military families, nursing home residents, and incarcerated individuals. Order a hardcopy or download a PDF copy here: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k12/MHUS2010/index.aspx

The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 provides immediate counseling and help to people affected by the Midwest tornados.  The Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy.

For mor SAMHSA news see their website: http://www.samhsa.gov/index.aspx

As reported earlier, regrettably, due to lack of funds the their will be no Recovery Conference this year, but there are some bright spots too.

Recently the The Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health received $25,000 from SRS to help finish out the current fiscal year.  The funds were earmarked for two face-to-face board meetings in May and June,  Leadership In Action and the Leadership Academy.  More information should be available after the May board meeting set for May 4, 2012.

The budget request for Fiscal year 2012 has yet to pass the legislature, but chances for it’s passage look good. The request was included in the “Mega” Funding bill which stalled in the legislature due to a problem with K-12 funding for schools.  The bill was rolled into the agenda for the Omnibus session of the legislature.  Barring unforeseen circumstances the CAC’s budget request for $150,000 should be approved.  While the request represents a decrease in the funding from previous years, if passed,  it should be enough to provide for a scaled down recovery conference, Leadership in Action, Leadership Academy, and board and staff expenses for the coming fiscal year.  The CAC’s thanks go out to the many individuals and organizations that have supported this funding request, a special thanks goes to the members of the Kansas Mental Health Coalition who provided crucial support and guidance in this legislative process.

The Board is in the final stages of a three year Trauma Informed Care Initiative.  The training curriculum has been finished and presented at 4 pilot workshops throughout the state.  The challenge now will be to ensure continuation of the initiative beyond the initial grant funding which runs out in September.  Thanks go to SAMHSA their funding of the project and to Chris White and the Trauma Informed Care committee for all their hard work in making it a reality.

In April SAMHSA released a request for proposals for 11 new state wide network grants. Since the CAC’s  current  grant expires this year, we are eligible and plan to submit a proposal  The CAC cannot extend the Trauma Informed Care initiative or use it to fund other current programs. We must come up with a completely new initiative. Proposals are due May 18.

Watch for an email from Gary Parker soon to schedule a TIC committee as well as a  full board meeting.   Also we expect that SAMHSA state network grants to come out soon and we will be meeting to put together a proposal.

Nominate a Leader in Recovery for the 2012 Voice Awards

Join SAMHSA in recognizing consumer/peer leaders in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders, as well as TV and film professionals, for their efforts to educate the public about the real experiences of people with behavioral health problems.

The 2012 Voice Awards will spotlight the strength and perseverance of athletes who face unique challenges in managing mental health and/or substance use disorders while continuing to train, compete, and remain in the public eye.

Nominate a Consumer/Peer Leader

Consideration is being given to consumer/peer leaders who educate the public about the behavioral health challenges of athletes and help empower them to begin the journey of recovery.

Potential nominees should include those who have led efforts to promote the social inclusion of people with behavioral health problems; personally demonstrated that recovery is real and possible; and made a positive impact on their community, workplace, or school.

Nominate a Consumer/Peer Leader

Consumer/peer leader nominations are due Friday, April 13, 2012.

Nominate a TV or Film Production

Additional consideration is being given to TV and film productions—released after April 15, 2011—that contain a positive behavioral health storyline and accurately and respectfully portray the behavioral health struggles of athletes, their resilience, and their paths to recovery.

Nominate a TV or Film Production

TV and film nominations are due Friday, April 27, 2012.

Nominations are open to anyone and are free. There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit, and self-nominations are welcome.

The 2012 Voice Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 22, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. Learn More.

The Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health (CAC) has been busy behind the scenes; working hard to secure the CAC’s future, carry on current CAC programs and initiatives, and advocate for consumers across the state.  Here is some of the good, the bad and the maybe that has come about lately.

First some bad news – As most of you are aware due to funding cuts there will be no Recovery Conference this year.   The board is however looking into hosting some type of event, perhaps a mini-conference or fundraising event in conjunction with the annual meeting and Board elections. 

Now Some Good News -A small amount of money has been made available to the CAC, by SRS, which should help us to make it through the current fiscal year.  In addition Gary Parker spoke before the Social Services Legislative Committee recently in an effort to get at least partial state funding restored.  As a follow-up, two legislators have agreed to work with us to get a line item or other language, which would restore funding,  inserted into this season’s budget legislation. We are still a long way from getting this to the floor of the legislature and more support is still needed, so contact those legislators and urge them to support the CAC and other consumer efforts.

Advocacy Day – March 6, 2012 – there is still time to be a part of Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day 2012 – Click here for a flier with complete details.

A reminder to Board and staff, that the conference call scheduled for March 6 has been canceled due to the conflict with Advocacy Day and will be rescheduled for a later date.  Watch for an email with the details.

The CAC had submitted a proposal to host an inclusive disabilities conference, but was informed that it did not receive the grant.  It was instead awarded to the low bidder.  Costs are becoming an increasing factor in awarding grants and funding organizations and the issue has been raised by national associations and others whether the CAC needs to reduce the size of its board as a cost cutting method.  The simplest method would be to elect one instead of two representatives from each area.  The reduction would probably be phased in over three years as new members are elected.  Watch for a survey in the new future soliciting your input on this and perhaps other issues.  (Those areas up for election this year are Representatives for Regions 5 and 6, Emerging Leaders and General Advocacy.)

In the Maybe Category – As a part of the proposed restructuring of the state’s Medicaid program to a managed care system, the CAC has been approached by companies submitting proposals to the state about the possibility of the CAC becoming a supervising body for Certified PEER Specialists.  Under the proposal CROs could utilize PEER Specialists to a greater degree than presently allowed and bill Medicaid for the cost.  This could result in more access to PEER Specialists, as well as additional funding to CRO’s and the CAC.  The CAC presented the idea, as well as a detailed listing of PRO’s and CON’s to CRO leaders at the CRO Outreach in February.  The CAC will continue to pursue this possibility, pending more input from consumers and details of the proposed program.  In a somewhat related initiative, the CAC continues to pursue the possibility of establishing a NAOPS (National Association of Peer Specialists) chapter in Kansas. 

More Good News – The CAC is currently on target to successfully wrap up the third year of a SAMHSA grant to develop and promote a trauma informed care initiative throughout the state.  The curriculum has been finished and was presented at three pilot sites during February.( A forth training was reschduled due to bad weather.)  A special thanks to all who helped develop the program and to those who participated in the trainings.  Hopefully this brings us one step closer to recognizing the role that  trauma so often plays in the lives of consumers of mental health services and developing an even more compassionate and caring system to assist them in their recovery.  For more information on Trauma Informed Care, contact: Chris White, by email at:kscacgrantssbcglobalnet  (kscacgrantssbcglobalnet)   Or by phone at (913) 240-8667

The CAC has become an active participant in the Kansas Mental Health Coalition.  The Coalition, especially Rick Cagen of NAMI Kansas, have been very helpful to us in pursuing the reestablishment of state funding. The Coalition meets the last Wednesday of each month from 9:00 – 11:30 am at Valeo Behavioral Health Care, 330 Oakley, Topeka, KS 66606.  Board and staff members are encourage to participate in person or by teleconference.  The teleconference phone link is available from RickCagen (785-233-0755).

Finally, a plug for our forum.  The CAC forum remains a very underutilized resource for sharing ideas, opinions and resources and for encouraging each other.  Participation is pretty straight forward.  Just click on this link http://kansascac.org/cac-forum/forum/ .  Register (if you haven’t already) and wait for a password to be emailed to you.  Then log-in, click on a topic you are interested in (or start a new one) then type away.  If you have questions or need help, contact our webmaster, Mike Freed (mikefreedcoxnet  (mikefreedcoxnet)    or 316-737-6505).  He will be glad to help you with it.  Please share this information with your fellow consumers and encourage them to participate as well.

Information for the Alternatives 2012 Conference is now online! You can view it at www.alternatives2012.info.

Alternatives is the nation’s leading national conference by and for individuals with behavioral health needs. This year marks the 26th year of the conference. Alternatives is the longest running national mental health conference organized by and for mental health consumers.

This year’s Alternatives will be held in Portland, Oregon at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront on October 10-14, 2012. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our History, Building Our Future.”

Please check out the Alternatives 2012 web site today!

The CAFE TA Center is pleased to announce the release of its latest on-demand online training, Bridging the Gap: Reaching Out to Emerging Adults. This training examines the obstacles that must be overcome as individuals with behavioral health needs transition from systems of care created for children, to those created for adults. It also explores the essential role that adult consumer organizations can play in welcoming young consumers, involving them in meaningful ways and helping them grow to become the next generation of consumer leaders. If you are a youth that wants to learn how to become involved in the adult mental health world, or an adult consumer that wants to connect with youth and emerging adults, please check out this training today!

You can view this training by following the link below.

Bridging the Gap: Reaching Out to Emerging Adults