There are many things to be aware of as the legislative session moves forward. I think it is clear that budget cuts will grab the headlines and jeopardize necessary and helpful health, wellness and recovery services.
It may be helpful to bring to one another's attention proposals that can change how services are or are not provided. We may have differing opinions but at least we'll be informed...
Two bills I would like to highlight are linked below:
HB 1563
HB 1545
I hope the links work and that you take the time to review them. I guess you can offer your opinion here but what matters is offering it to those in Olympia.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Extending Our REACH, Making Our Future in 2011
Next year, CVAB's 16th year, will present some of our most significant challenges. The current statewide financial crisis coupled with healthcare reform initiatives are reshaping or removing services that we have come to expect or desire. Although some of these changes are for the better, not all of them will mean an improvement in health, wellness and recovery services. CVAB leaders and members must work together to ensure that in the midst of change the proposed services meet individual needs
The impact of budgetary and healthcare integration changes will certainly be realized by CVAB. If CVAB is going to continue Extending Our REACH through our Centers, Warmline, statewide project and other efforts, we are going to have to be assertive about Making Our Future. Again, CVAB leaders and members must work together to make certain that we make the changes that will ensure individual and community health, wellness and recovery services continue to be available through our agency and organizations like ours.
If we want to continue to Extend Our REACH, we have to Make Our Future.
The impact of budgetary and healthcare integration changes will certainly be realized by CVAB. If CVAB is going to continue Extending Our REACH through our Centers, Warmline, statewide project and other efforts, we are going to have to be assertive about Making Our Future. Again, CVAB leaders and members must work together to make certain that we make the changes that will ensure individual and community health, wellness and recovery services continue to be available through our agency and organizations like ours.
If we want to continue to Extend Our REACH, we have to Make Our Future.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Extending Our REACH in 2010: A Look Back
Recovery, Empowerment, Advocacy, Community, Hope
The past year has once again demonstrated CVAB's tremendous ability to Extend Our REACH to meet the needs of our community.
The Self-Help Recovery Center was able to serve yet another record number of people seeking to be proactive in their wellness and recovery. We saw 2200 people with nearly 19,000 visits into the Center. The SHRC added a number of successful classes and groups under the leadership of our capable staff and volunteers.
In April, CVAB added a second program and center. CVAB began operating the Val Ogden Center after a successful response to a Clark County request for proposals. The VOC has a dedicated staff working side by side with approximately 40 members participating.
August brought CVAB good news: we were selected to receive a SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Grant. The grant began in September funding CVAB's Extending Our REACH to begin three SHRC's in WA and link these along with existing peer-run organizations together.
October provided another opportunity. CVAB hosted a 40 hour Washington State Peer Counselor Training for 24 of our peers. The week was a success and our hope is to further our abilities in delivering solid trainings.
2010 was a year for Extending Our REACH and Achieving Our Goals.
The past year has once again demonstrated CVAB's tremendous ability to Extend Our REACH to meet the needs of our community.
The Self-Help Recovery Center was able to serve yet another record number of people seeking to be proactive in their wellness and recovery. We saw 2200 people with nearly 19,000 visits into the Center. The SHRC added a number of successful classes and groups under the leadership of our capable staff and volunteers.
In April, CVAB added a second program and center. CVAB began operating the Val Ogden Center after a successful response to a Clark County request for proposals. The VOC has a dedicated staff working side by side with approximately 40 members participating.
August brought CVAB good news: we were selected to receive a SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Grant. The grant began in September funding CVAB's Extending Our REACH to begin three SHRC's in WA and link these along with existing peer-run organizations together.
October provided another opportunity. CVAB hosted a 40 hour Washington State Peer Counselor Training for 24 of our peers. The week was a success and our hope is to further our abilities in delivering solid trainings.
2010 was a year for Extending Our REACH and Achieving Our Goals.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
HAPPY DECEMBER
Well, we have made it to the twelfth month of twenty-ten. I hope you take a look at the calendar and choose to participate in one of our activities. Now is the time to start thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2011...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What A Friday At Alternatives
The morning began with the invited-uninvited-reinvited journalist and author Robert Whitaker. He passionately presented the materials of his most recent book, Epidemic in America. His message was punctuated by a thunderstorm and power outage. At noon, Mark Ragins (psychiatrist and founder of The Village in Long Beach), presented himself and his message about recovery as the counterpoint to Robert Whitaker. His presentation was punctuated by protest and confrontation.
I think both have important things to say and it is important our movement dialogue about the issues but I was frustrated that organizers felt the need to counter Whitaker and with the way Ragins did it.
I spent a good portion of the evening and into the night talking with friends including a new one, Scott Cooper. Scott is an artist that has embarked upon an incredible project called It's Our Story. He is going around the country collecting the oral history of our movement and those from other "disability" communities by interviewing the leaders of the movements so we capture our history. He has interviewed over 1000 people using a camera and then working with youth to post the interviews on youtube, Scott is an incredible artist with a passion to tell the story of our movements through the people that made it possible. You can read more by searching for It's Our Story or www.itsourstory.org
Just another day at Alternatives.
I think both have important things to say and it is important our movement dialogue about the issues but I was frustrated that organizers felt the need to counter Whitaker and with the way Ragins did it.
I spent a good portion of the evening and into the night talking with friends including a new one, Scott Cooper. Scott is an artist that has embarked upon an incredible project called It's Our Story. He is going around the country collecting the oral history of our movement and those from other "disability" communities by interviewing the leaders of the movements so we capture our history. He has interviewed over 1000 people using a camera and then working with youth to post the interviews on youtube, Scott is an incredible artist with a passion to tell the story of our movements through the people that made it possible. You can read more by searching for It's Our Story or www.itsourstory.org
Just another day at Alternatives.
1200 Strong at Alternatives 2010
It is an incredible site. 1200 individuals from across the world gathered together to celebrate and communicate the reality of who we are as a part of the consumer movement. It is good to connect with old friends and make new ones. I've met people from most of the states and Madrid Spain and each one a living testament to the pursuit of living his or her life in the way he or she wants to live it.
Each person really facinates me incluuding one woman who comes from Massachusetts that has her own business as a driver of a car for hire and comes to be around friends and celebrate the consumer movement. She has faced the worst type of "psychiatric treatment" and has worked through it to be a beautiful person living a pretty cool life.
We are part of a movement, a human rights movement, it is important to realize this and listen to those who have come before us, those we agree and disagree with and to support the youth that will inherit the movement and make it their own.
Each person really facinates me incluuding one woman who comes from Massachusetts that has her own business as a driver of a car for hire and comes to be around friends and celebrate the consumer movement. She has faced the worst type of "psychiatric treatment" and has worked through it to be a beautiful person living a pretty cool life.
We are part of a movement, a human rights movement, it is important to realize this and listen to those who have come before us, those we agree and disagree with and to support the youth that will inherit the movement and make it their own.
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