STRENGTHENING RESOURCES FOR
MISSOURI FAMILIES & OUR ECONOMY

You’re invited to a special discussion on the state budget
You’ve seen the headlines:
$590 Million in state budget cuts so far this fiscal year
Missouri unemployment stands at 9.5 percent
Projected state revenue shortfalls of $450 million for fiscal year 2011
Now learn more about Missouri’s current budget situation and discuss
how we can create opportunities to move Missouri forward.
PLEASE JOIN US:
Friday, January 15
Pioneer Campus Metropolitan Community College
Auditorium
2700 East 18th Street (18th and Prospect)
Kansas City, MO
10am – 12pm

Refreshments will be provided and there is no cost to attend this meeting.
Please RSVP to: civeson@policyworks.biz
This event is co-hosted by the following organizations:
AARP, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund,
Missouri Association for Social Welfare, Missouri Budget Project, Missouri Health Advocacy Alliance,
Missouri Jobs with Justice’s Public Good Project, Mother & Child Health Coalition, Partnership for Children,
REACH Healthcare Foundation, The Salvation Army, The Whole Person

An invitation to the meeting can be found at:

http://www.mobudget.org/home.html

From the Savannah Morning News

ATLANTA - Gov. Sonny Perdue announced few legislative proposals this morning during his State of the State Address to a joint session of the General Assembly, other than a $70 million increase in spending for the disabled.

He spent most of the 45-minute oration reminding legislators that the country had seen tougher times than the after-effects of the recent recession. And he offered praise for teachers and state workers who were working harder despite the budget cuts and layoffs that have hit every agency.

The only area of spending increase announced is in the Department of Behavioral Health which was created last year. The current budget will rise $20 million and the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 will jump another $50 million.

“Yes, it will cost more money, but I am confident that it will result in better outcomes for patients and we will all sleep better at night,” he said. “We have a moral obligation to serve those with disabilities.”

He acknowledged that the federal government has warned the state that its operation of the state’s seven mental hospitals violates standards. He said the problems began before his term started seven years ago.

To state workers, he told them to continue serving the public even though their resources are limited.

“I have noticed it, and more importantly your fellow Georgians have noticed it,” he said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The speech didn’t outline details of his budget recommendations, despite lagging tax collections that could require cuts of as much as $1.5 billion. He said he will release his spending blueprint Friday.

For original article:

http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2010-01-13/perdue-calls-mental-health-spending-state-state-address?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

A one-page grant form must be filled out by the potential agency, and specific criteria must be met to qualify for funding.  Awards are based on the Alzheimer’s population in the community, available SAR personnel, size of population, annual training budget of agency, lack of caregiver education programs in the community, and other information.

A grant committee will review the applications and select agencies where the funding will have the greatest impact.  Because of this, smaller agencies are still encouraged to apply.  Communities with large populations of at-risk citizens having a correspondingly large staff of first responders would not necessarily outscore smaller communities that demonstrate a greater burden.

If you know of agencies who would like to implement Project Lifesaver but can’t afford to do so, please forward them the above info and ask them to contact Tommy Carter at Project Lifesaver at 757.546.5502, ext. 102 or tcarter@projectlifesaver.org.

http://www.projectlifesaver.org/

Sweet Charity

Can you imagine how much it would help your favorite charitable organization if they were handed a check for $10,000?

ChristieCookie.com is going to make some dreams come true – and you can help.

Just go to the website and cast your vote!

http://ilovechristiecookies.com/contest/form.asp#

The most nominated charity will receive a check for $10,000. The runner-up wins $5,000, and the next 10 will receive $1,000 each.
Nominations must be submitted on or before October 15, 2009. The winning charities will be announced in November 2009. Only one vote per email address can be submitted.

Be sure to tell your friends and coworkers about this opportunity, so they can vote, too!

Here are some of the warning signs that a person may be depressed and could be contemplating suicide:

• Threatening to hurt or kill him/herself
• Seeking access to firearms and/or drugs
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feelings of  hopelessness
• Raging or exhibiting uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in high risk activities
• Feeling trapped
• Increasing use of alcohol (or drugs – prescription or illegal)
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Expressing that he/she has no reason for living and no purpose in life

For more info, and to download a “warning signs” wallet card, click here:

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/SuicideWarningSigns.aspx

Clinical depression affects more than 19 million american adults each year.
Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice.

Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million american adults each year. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare.

The National Depression Screening Project, a mental health screening program, sponsors National Depression Screening Day each October. The Project operates a toll-free, year-round phone line that allows callers to find free and confidential screening locations in their local areas.
Why Screen for Depression?

* Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.
* Clinical depression can lead to suicide.
* Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a “normal part of life.”
* Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.
* One in four women and one in 10 men will experience depression at some point during their lifetimes.
* Two-thirds of those suffering from the illness do not seek the necessary treatment.
* Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.
* More than 80 percent of all cases of clinical depression can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
* Screenings are often the first step in getting help.

Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.

Editor’s note: Self-screening test available here:

http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/Welcome.aspx

National Depression Screening Day is held during Mental Illness Awareness Week each October. It is designed to call attention to the illness of depression on a national level, educate the public about its symptoms and effective treatments, offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for depression, and connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system.

Starting with only 90 sites in its first year, the Screening Day program has grown to reach more than 85,000 people at 3,000 sites nationwide. To respond to the year-round need, the program also maintains a toll-free, year-round phone line for free, anonymous screening locations in local areas.

To find a free, anonymous screening site in your area www.mentalhealthscreening.org

Take an online depression screening.
What Is a Depression Screening like?

Attendees at screening programs, which are free and confidential:

* Hear an educational session on depression.
* Complete a written screening test.
* Discuss the results with a mental health professional.
* If necessary, learn where to go for additional help.

Who Should Attend a Depression Screening?

People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms*:

* A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
* Sleeping too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
* Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
* Restlessness or irritability
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
* Fatigue or loss of energy
* Thoughts of death or suicide

Screenings are not a professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation if needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine.

Sponsors of National Screening for Depression include:

Mental Health America
American Psychiatric Association
National Institute of Mental Health
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Assn.

For more information, contact the National Depression Screening Project Office at (781) 239-0071.

Please be sure to check back as we develop our space.  We are working on this blog as part of a complete update on our website.  Exciting days ahead!

TOPICS:  Excerpts f/ speeches (Congressional leaders) in re: to MHC

ACI, CIT, NAMI

Pharma alerts and advances (studies)

Seminars, meetings, events

Programs, program developments

Legislative Alerts

HIPAA

Topics involving workforce issues