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Posted by Mental Health Association of Central Florida on Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Thank You from Fresh Start Consumer Network

A special thank you to the following for their support throughout the year…

 Board of Directors for Fresh Start Mi-ami-Dade, Inc.
 Carrfour Supportive Housing
 Department of Children and Families
 Dr. Amanda Pike of Art Therapy Consulting
 Jenny Leon
 Jail Diversion Team
 Key Clubhouse of South Florida
 Magellan Complete Care
 Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
 SOC Partners
 South Florida Behavioral Health Network

AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE by Dianne Côté, CRPS-A

(The following email was sent to The Consumer Net-work. It has been reprinted here in it’s entirety with the permission of the author.)

Dear Sandra, (and Team)

This expression of gratitude is later than I hoped since I have been out of the office due to illness. Add to that the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speaking of “thanks giving”, the recognition day that I had the honor of attending boosted my morale, sense of hope, and gave me the opportunity to see a room filled with empowered, dedicated, and successful peers.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of this very special event.

Dianne Coté, CRPS-A
Broward County, Florida

Inspiring Speakers at the Peer Recognition Event by A. Miryam Israel

Justin, Pam and Alfonso

I was fortunate to attend the Peer Recognition event in Miami, Florida on November 18th, 2015, because I got to listen to empowering messages from successful Peer Specialists.

I heard from long time Peer Specialist, Alfonso Ruiz, now the Consumer Relations Specialist of Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC); and also Justin Volpe, known to many for his public speaking skills and his work as a Peer Specialist with the Jail Diversion Project. The audience was favored with a heartfelt address from Pam Ford, the Peer Services Manager of South Florida Behavioral Health Network (SFBHN).

Then Clarence Office, a committed Peer Specialist who works with his fellow Veterans, reminded us all to be grateful for how far we have come. And the Honorable Judge Steve Leifman, earned much applause as he spoke about the role Peers Specialists in recovery and the need to hire more. Special guest speaker, Cindy Schwartz was motivating and inspiring in her presentation on the importance of recovery.

What a wonderful opportunity to hear from such giants in our local Recovery Community. We all left with a renewed sense of hope and dedication to the important work of recovery. Truly, "recovery matters"!

Free Painting and Photography Workshops

The Fresh Start of Miami-Dade Consumer Network is hosting the Recovery in the Arts Workshops during the month of August.

Art therapist, Dr. Amanda Alders Pike will guide participants in a variety of painting techniques, and photographer Roxy Azuaje will show participants the rules of composition & lighting.

The artwork created during the workshops will be publicly displayed in the Rohde Building Lobby throughout National Recovery month in September 2015. Workshop participants may choose to keep or sell their artwork.

The workshops are free and art supplies will be provided, thanks to the generous support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade Mayor and the board of County Commissioners.

Support Group for Peer Staff

July 31, 2015, a small group of workers met in an eighth floor conference room.  They all had two things in common.  One, they were consumers of mental health services. And two, they are now successfully employed in the behavioral health field.

The meeting was put together by Sandra McQueen-Baker, coordinator of the Consumer Network and Pam Ford, Peer Services Manager with South Florida Behavioral Health Network. They are calling for working peers to meet together, network and offer each other support.

Though several of us have the same job title (i.e. Peer Specialist), we discovered that we all have very different job duties. We are group facilitators, peer counselors, and website designers. We make outreach phone calls, visit hospital patients and persons in jail, as well as plan recreational activities.

Sandra asked everyone present to answer this question, “Where are you now? And where would you like to be five years from now?” Answering this question really helped us to focus on our individual career goals.

Because these sessions are confidential I cannot say the specific things that were shared.  But I will say that issues of “Ethics and Boundaries” were discussed. And examples were given regarding “Respecting Cultural Differences.”

Peer Specialist support meetings are held approximately every three months. By joining the Consumer Network email list, you’ll receive information about dates and location.

CN Meetings For A New Year

If the first quarter is any indication, 2015 will bring a wealth of informative discussions to our local Consumer Network (CN) meetings.

On January 13, Diana Pure, Ph.D., from Miami VA Healthcare System, opened the year with tips for improving our communication skills.  Dr. Pure’s topic was “Speaking from the Heart” and she certainly did so.  

Dr. Harriet Lefley

She was followed on January 27th by Harriet P. Lefley, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at the University of Miami. With more than 40 years experience, Dr. Lefley shared much about her topic: “How can Consumers, MH Professionals and  Supportive Families Work Together?” Our membership enjoyed her true life examples.

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, our next CN meeting (Feb. 10) was Open Mic. Kudos to everyone who sang a song, read a poem, told a humorous story, gave a dramatic monologue or showed off their dance steps. There were performances done in English and in Spanish. We had loads of fun!

Miryam Israel

Also in February (Feb 24), Miryam Israel from Fresh Start of Miami-Dade brought a WRAP session to CN members.  Miryam led the group with the question: “What Does a Healthy Lifestyle Look Like?” and “Early Warning Signs that I am Leading an Unhealthy Lifestyle” with suggestions for action plans.

Michael JeanLouis

Personal Banker, Michael J. JeanLouis shared his financial expertise on March 10th.  Attendees learned about building their credit records and protecting their personal information.  Being from Wells Fargo, Skylake branch, Michael opened our eyes to the various levels of service the bank offers.

Marie Alcindor

Not to be outdone, our next presenters wowed the audience with detailed information about food groups and nutrition.  Members asked questions and took notes, as Marie Alcindor and her co-presenter, both from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. educated us. 

A special thank you to our guest meeting facilitators, Pam Ford, Kishma Lewis and Miryam Israel. Our coordinator, Sandra McQueen-Baker, is very appreciative of you stepping in on her behalf.  

And to our members, keep coming back. And, if you enjoy CN meetings, bring a friend.  

Newly Certified WRAP Facilitators

Congratulations!!! To our new group of certified WRAP® Facilitators!  Scores of people in the state of Florida have been trained by Fresh Start Consumer Network. The course, led by Sandra McQueen-Baker and Cindy Schwartz, models the behavior of a facilitator in a WRAP class and stresses authenticity and unconditional high regard, as well as a strong set of values and ethics to guide your work.

The graduates of the five-day workshop are now certified to lead WRAP® groups and work with others to develop their own WRAP plans.

February 2015  --  Miami, Florida

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART -- Understanding and Improving Communication Skills

 "Why should I treat you any differently
 because you have a mental illness?
I should treat you like a human being first."
 - Dr. Diana Pure

Certain skills can be learned from a teacher and then perfected by practice—like playing a piano or understanding mathematics.  Other skills are learned only by doing it yourself—like swimming or riding a bicycle.  Communication is a skill that can be learned like any other.

Dr. Diana Pure, Local Recovery Coordinator and staff psychologist at the Miami VA Healthcare System, taught Consumer Network members many things about communication on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.  Her topic was: Speaking From the Heart—Understanding & Improving Communications.   She covered many aspects of communications from written grammar to tone of voice.  She demonstrated how non-verbal communication can conflict with our words.

Diana Pure emphasized that communication is not just what you say, it is whether or not you’re getting through. She added, “You don’t have to be ultra-eloquent to get your point across.”

WRAP Workshop on Sundays in Miami-Dade County. Register now, before it's too late.

Introduction to Wellness Recovery Action Planning 

(Intro to WRAP)

                                

Miami Gardens, Florida

Register now!

This training is open to consumers, peer specialists, provider staff, & stakeholders 

in the mental health, behavioral health field.

Workshop Highlights

About Introduction to WRAP:  Participants will learn principles of recovery and understand how to shift out of a “chronic illness” mindset into a "wellness" mindset that supports recovery for everyone.  WRAP will assist participants in becoming accountable in their own decision-making and problem-solving situations.  WRAP is also an evidence-based practice. 

Dates/Times:  September 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 2014; Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location

Fresh Start of Miami-Dade, Inc.

18441 NW 2nd Avenue

Suite 106-108

Miami Gardens, FL 33169

(The Lincoln Square Building)

General Information

·       Trainings are free but space is limited. Only those registered and confirmed may attend.

·       Participants must attend all 4 days to receive certificate of completion.

CEUs

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided during this training for CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS (Florida Certification Board). Cost for CEUs: Introduction to WRAP: 15 CEUs for $15

Registration

Please send your registration form to Sandra McQueen-Baker via e-mail or fax

Email: consumernetworkmiami@gmail.com / Fax: 305-623-9917

Please ensure you confirm your registration.

Only those registered and confirmed may attend due to limited space and materials

For more information about this training, please call: 305-623-9937, and ask for a registration form to be emailed to you.

I LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF - by Genevieve Daniel-Hernandez

WRAP trainings/WRAP facilitation trainings were interactive, informative, fun and effective in providing a solid understanding of WRAP and how to use the plan both personally and professionally.

I learned about myself, my feelings, my habits and used this knowledge to develop a simple plan that can be used each day to keep me functioning the best way possible. It is great that this experience and knowledge equipped me to help others do the same thing as well.

--- Genevieve Daniel-Hernandez; Program Administrator/Clinical Director, 

Multicultural Alliance Health Care Solutions (M.A.H.C.)

CELEBRATE WITH ME!!! By Carol Hope

For 29 years now Michael & I have organized and directed the activities of the Friendship Games. We need your help to make this event that takes place on October 10 this year the best ever. Our goal is to provide a day of fn and community support for those who live with mental illness. 

When I first started it I was the Day Program Director at a local mental health provider. I had a roster of 125 persons with about 80 attending daily. These people were mostly Spanish speaking from the Caribbean and South America, here in Miami with no family and an inability to speak English. The mental illness was the third and most difficult for them to deal with. Our program became their family and support system. I decided to play Friendship Games with the other agencies that were doing that type of work. Today the non- profit agencies in Miami-Dade and Broward counties get together to continue this tradition. It is a joyful and a great opportunity for the consumers of mental health services, to get together for fun and to show the community that they are “people first” not an illness. Won’t you join me in the celebration? The stigma of mental illness is still great and we know for sure that 1/10th of our community members are living with some type of mental challenge. 

Will you help me put a face on how we can, in all the communities of these United States, find the courage to stand in solidarity with these people.  It is worth it. Please write me back or call me at 786-337-5965. 

Carol Hope, Founder Director, Friendship Games    
PO Box 69-3393, Miami Florida 33269
mylifeforcerenewed.com/friendship-games-29/    
authorsden.com/carolhhope
Email: carolhope19@msn.com

PS --  At age 30 I suffered from an acute attack of clinical depression that almost took my life. Someone reached out to me and pulled me back.  Thanks for your kind consideration. CH        

Trainings Funded By SAMHSA Have Impacted Lives

With the support of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), WRAP® trainings began in 2006 in Miami-Dade County. The Fresh Start Consumer Network was established in 2006 and in 2009, the Fresh Start Statewide Consumer Network were developed with an award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 

WRAP® has been offered to consumers, families and behavioral health stakeholders in Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier and Broward counties as well as in Orlando and Tampa. 

Other trainings have also been offered such as Leadership trainings and Peer Specialist trainings.  As a result of the Statewide Consumer Network grant awarded by SAMHSA, many lives have been impacted. 

Testimonials from 3 Peer Specialists

"I’ve taken WRAP and Peer Specialist training* and it’s always a great experience! I really like the sharing of personal experiences!”

  –  Derek Moore, LCSW, CRPS-A, Douglas Gardens CMHC

“I was in the three day Peer Specialist Training* I had the time of my life learning things that I never knew. The class was very helpful for my Certification. And the staff was very nice.”

   – Leonarda Esposito,  Aspire Health Partners

“I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every unit of training that I have attended through the Fresh Start Consumer Network program. From my first experience in Peer Support, to my latest venture which was WRAP FACILITATOR training*, I've benefited greatly from the classes offered and would highly recommend them to others.

Thank you, and keep up the good work!”

  -- Kevin W. Smith, Miami VA Hospital

My Life & WRAP - by Alfonso J. Ruiz

 “I am thrilled with how my life unfolded after attending WRAP training last year.  I am able to focus all of my energy,  not on fighting old habits, but in building new ones.  I have learned that my recovery is tied to hope and simple acts of self-care, that when combined create a lovely symbiosis.  My life is  filled with healthy energy due in part to of the structure that WRAP offers.

I am infinitely grateful to the persons who introduced me to WRAP and to the support system it helped to create.”

 -- Alfonso J  Ruiz  CRSS

Consumer Relations Specialist

Broward Behavioral Health Coalition

Do I Have to Become Certified to Get a Peer Job?

Not all peer jobs require Certification. Employers decide if they want peers to be certified.

Often, a person will be hired before getting certified, with the expectation that the person will take the course and become Certified within the first 6 months or year of employment.

Some employers increase a person’s salary when they become Certified. It varies from employer to employer.

DON'T GIVE UP!! by Linda Osime

Trainings and workshops provided by Fresh Start Consumer Network have been one of many tools that I use on a daily basis in my life.   WRAP has helped me and others to stay on a successful path of Wellness. 

I consider myself blessed to have come in contact with such awesome information and the awesome trainers who shared their experiences.  From them I've learned that if you have hope and you don't give up -- no matter what your situation is -- life can happen again for you.   And in turn, you can pay it forward. 

Your success is awaiting you!

I recommend for any and every one, no matter who you are -- get these trainings!  They could change your life!

Thank you to Fresh Start Consumer Network of Florida and all awesome people that make it happen.

Linda Osime, Peer Specialist
Magellan Healthcare

Video: Advocating for Access to Mental Health Services

Miryam Israel, a person living with schizophrenia, speaks to a panel of Florida Senators and Congressional officials. A consumer of mental health services, she stresses the importance of access to community-based care by telling her own story of mental illness diagnosis, worried parents, multiple hospitalizations, adult living facilities (ALFs), and then finally meeting models of recovery at peer-run Drop-in Centers. Her story of successfully living in recovery with Schizophrenia, is a touching testimony that People CAN Find their own path to a fulfilling life, and that with the proper supports -- RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE!

Please leave a COMMENT below. SHARE this inspirational story with someone you know. And before you leave, give her a "thumbs up" ***LIKE***. Thank you.

A Refresher Course for WRAP Facilitators

Sandra McQueen-Baker and Cindy Schwartz
Advanced Level WRAP Facilitators

 Wellness Recovery Action Plan                           

     WRAP Refresher Course

Miami, FL

June 16-17, 2014

Register now!

A refresher course for WRAP Facilitators is recommended (required) once every two years.

Course Description: The WRAP Refresher Course is a two day, interactive course co-facilitated by Copeland Center Advance Level facilitators for WRAP facilitators to sharpen and expand their facilitation skills to further engage groups in the Wellness Recovery Action Planning.

Learning Objectives: Through attendance in this course WRAP Facilitators will:

1. Recognize expanded options on how to give effective group introductions.
2. Identify additional knowledge areas, values and ethics of WRAP.
3. Apply one new skill to sharpen and expand group facilitation skills
4. Develop new and creative approaches to accommodate participant challenges and differing group needs.

Lead Facilitators: Advanced Level WRAP Facilitators, Cindy Schwartz and Sandra McQueen-Baker

Dates/Times: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Location:  1400 NW 54 Street Miami, Florida 33142

Carrfour Supportive Housing (Barbara Carey Shuler Building) 8^th floor Conference Room             

Information

·       Training is free, but space is limited. Only those registered & confirmed may attend.

·       Lunch, parking, travel and transportation costs are the responsibility of the participant.

·       Must attend both days for Certificate of Completion.

RegistrationRSVP via e-mail or fax, no later than June 10, 2014 

Email: consumernetworkmiami@gmail.com / Fax: 305-623-9917.

For more information, please call toll-free: 1-877-854-8781

  

REGISTER BY June 10, 2014

Email: consumernetworkmiami@gmail.com / Fax: 305-623-9917

For more information, please call toll-free: 1-877-854-8781

 Please ensure you confirm your registration. – Only those registered & confirmed may attend due to limited space/materials.

Congratulations to the 2014 EPIC Award Honorees…

 Sandra McQueen-Baker, You are Exceptional! 

• Gwendolyn Henry of GEO Care LLC, 
• Lauren Zuchman of Henderson Behavioral Health
• and our very own… Sandra McQueen-Baker of Fresh Start of Miami-Dade, Inc. 

"EPIC is an acronym for 'Exceptional People Impacting the Community' and this year's honorees personify the essence of the award," said Paul Jaquith, president and CEO of The Mental Health Association. "What these very diverse and dedicated individuals have in common is their commitment to the public well being, their efforts to improve the lives of citizens of our communities, and their advocacy for persons with mental illness."

Honoring Nehemiah Taylor

Nehemiah Taylor

Congratulations to NEHEMIAH TAYLOR, for receiving recognition at the 13th Annual Mental Health Transformation in Action Conference, Awards Ceremony & Luncheon. 

Nehemiah has been a member of Fresh Start Drop-In Center for over a year now. Fresh Start members joined him in celebration on May 29th at Jungle Island's Treetop Ballroom.   

Nehemiah has a compelling recovery story and we wish him well as he continues on his journey.

Some Numbers You Should Know

These are some statistical facts to include in your advocacy efforts with Florida legislators.

49th in per capita spending on mental health care.

35th in per capita spending on substance abuse treatment.

43rd in per capita spending on Medicaid disabled beneficiaries.

41st in per capita spending on Medicaid adult beneficiaries.

47th in per capita spending on Medicaid child beneficiaries.

47th in per capita spending on all Medicaid beneficiaries.