Extra! Extra! Read All About It

I tend to fear what may happen when good intentions meet published reports.

You can find a nice article about CVAB in the Clark County section of today's edition of The Columbian or you can find it online: http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/sep/13/self-help-agency-wins-federal-grant/

Enjoy the read and stay tuned for developments. Who knows, I may get over my fears....I doubt it.....

It's in the Air

Today feels different. Perhaps it is the rain. Maybe it is being post Labor Day. Or, it might be the beginning of the NFL season is this week.

For whatever reason, September has always seemed like the beginning of a new year for me.

Happy New Year everyone!

Why? Oh, Why?

I'm not a big fan of doing the same thing over and over with the expectation of different results but I just don't seem to be willing to try something different or just stop doing it all together. Some things are difficult to learn or I just don't want to change and somehow enjoy being stuck, or I think it will actually be different.....

CVAB Awarded Three Year Grant for Statewide Expansion

CVAB has been awarded a three year Statewide Consumer Network Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The award is $70,000 per year for a total of $210,000 and the grant period begins September 1, 2010.

CVAB was awarded the grant for the project Extending Our REACH that will develop Regionally Empowered and Accessible Communities of Hope (REACH). By Extending Our REACH, CVAB will expand across Washington to serve adults with mental illness to create accessible communities of hope. CVAB’s establishment of a minimum of three Consumer Operated Self Help Centers over three years will empower individuals with mental illness in Washington State to play an active part in continually shaping the mental health system. These regionally based consumer-operated centers will be organized by individuals in mental health recovery.

Additionally, CVAB will be forming the REACH Network that links the developing centers and other consumer organizations together to provide technical assistance to emerging and established consumer operated services. The REACH Network will be committed to the continuous transformation of mental health services and shaping public policy.

CVAB is a 15 years old consumer-run organization in Vancouver, WA providing support and advocacy for mental health recovery. CVAB operates a peer-run mental health Self-Help Recovery Center and Warm Line at the Center for Community Health, and the Val Ogden Center clubhouse program. Through a variety of peer-led activities, CVAB serves over 2200 people per year in its centers and had over 18,500 visits last year. CVAB has developed a strong reputation for being a center of health, wellness and recovery.

Washington State received two SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Grants and CVAB will be collaborating with the other recipient, Mental Health Action based in Burien, WA to effectively create and sustain strong services for supporting mental health, wellness and recovery.

Big Doings with CVAB

There have been some big happenings at CVAB and we will make them all public very soon.

Incredible Vision

Every once in a while you stumble across something that so impresses you because of its brilliance, intelligence and vision. Simply put, the partnership between The Avett Brothers and Jason Ryan Mitcham inspires me.

But why take my word for it, take a look for yourself. http://www.theavettbrothers.com/us/video/making-head-full-doubtroad-full-promise-video

Again with the Disappearance Act

I know. I know. you've heard this before but "I'm Baaack."