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July 2019
NAMI Sonoma County Closed on Independence Day

Our office will observe the national holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2019, which means that our Connection and Family Support Groups will not meet. Both resume their regular schedule on Thursday, July 11th.
Dates Set for New Family-to-Family Classes, Fall 2019 

NAMI’s education program for family members, partners and parents of individuals living with serious mental illness provides practical knowledge, skills and tools that facilitate better understanding and capacity to effectively support a loved one. This free, 12-session class is open to participants aged 18 and above. Beginning in September, two separate classes will meet: 

1. Mondays, 6:00 to 8:30 pm in Santa Rosa, Sep 9 - Dec 2, 2019
2. Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:30 pm in Cloverdale, Sep 12 - Dec 5, 2019


The course content is research-based and focused on the impact of illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and others. Consistently earning rave reviews from participants, the class also offers a unique opportunity to meet and learn from others who share the experience of supporting someone with an illness that affects how they think, feel and interact with others, especially family. Keep in mind that regular attendance is important!  

To learn more about the program and/or obtain an application form, please visit www.namisoco.org or call our Warmline at 866-960-6265.
Human Race 2019 – Thank you to our Supporters!
 
NAMI Sonoma County raised just over $2,700.00 from supporters of our virtual Human Race team in May. The Human Race, held annually, is Sonoma County's largest communal fundraising event for nonprofit organizations who make a difference in our communities.

Special thanks go to Mary Chris
tlieb, NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator; Jose Castro, our own Program Specialist; and Alistair Matthew, NAMI Family-to-Family teacher, whose contributions of time and leadership have made life better for many in Sonoma County whose lives are affected by mental illness.
 
Mary-Frances Walsh, MHS
Executive Director
 
County Leaders Agree to Preserve
Essential Mental Health Programs For the Fiscal Year Ahead
 
"Thumbs up to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for finding $6 million to maintain community mental health programs — and to the advocates and patients who didn’t give up when county officials said budget constraints necessitated cutbacks." - Press Democrat Editorial Board, 21 June 2019

In response to reports that significant cuts would be made to budgets for peer and family support services and board and care services, an agreement was made during June's Board of Supervisor budget negotiations to preserve funding for these services. The programs operate under the Behavioral Health Division of the county Department of Health Services.

Nearly 70 members of the public, including NAMI Sonoma County's Executive Director, attended the county budget meeting on June 11th to advocate for these services. These programs provide essential, preventative services to individuals living with serious mental illness that help lessen the need for more intensive, more expensive, mental health services required when mental health crises occur. 
 
 
Not Just For Wildfire Survivors:
Mental Health Support Available for All

Following the 2017 wildfires, the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County in partnership with the Wildfire Mental Health Collaborative of Sonoma County, worked to make a variety of free resources available for anyone affected by loss or stress as a result of the fires.

While these resources continue to be available to wildfire survivors, they are also accessible to anyone coping with everyday stressors, including:
  • The Sonoma Rises app, an evidence-based mental health support for all kinds of challenges; includes a special teen section addressing bullying and parental and teacher challenges. The app is available for Apple and Android devices in both English and Spanish.
  • The My Sonoma Strong website, a free self-help resource that can help anyone to cope more effectively with everyday stress; also available in English and Spanish.
For wildfire survivors in particular,
  • Free individual counseling is available at a variety of nonprofit organizations around the county. For information, call or email the NAMI Warmline (866-960-6264 or info@namisoco.org).
  • Free trauma-informed yoga and meditation classes are still available at a variety of locations around the county.
  • Free NAMI-based wildfire support groups are available on a drop-in basis at the NAMI office and the Airport Health Club. Both groups are led by Susan Dunn, MA, our Education & Support Services Manager.
To learn more, call our Warmline (866-960-6264) or visit the Healthcare Foundation’s website.
California SB 10 (Peer Provider Certification) Update
 
California State Senate Bill 10, which would establish a state Peer Support Specialist Certification Program under the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), is scheduled for review by the Assembly Health Committee on July 2, 2019. 
 
The bill, introduced by State Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose), would establish a four-track certification program and define responsibilities, practice, and training guidelines for peer support specialists around the state. 

Peer support programs are known to help reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, improve client functioning, increase client satisfaction, alleviate depression and other symptoms, and diversify the mental health workforce. California is one of only two states without a standardized certification process in place; 48 other states, as well as Washington D.C. and the Department of Veterans Affairs, have already implemented protocols  to certify peer specialists.

NAMI Sonoma County joins NAMI California, NAMI Amador, NAMI Sacramento and other advocacy groups in supporting SB 10. 
New Peer Support Specialist Training Class Begins August 6th
 
Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire begins a new Peer Support Specialist training class, August 6, 2019 to November 5, 2019. Students must be adults who identify as having experienced mental health challenges. Applications must be received by Friday, July 19th. For more information contact Kate Roberge at 707-483-7425 or email kroberge@gire.org.
Free Legal Clinic Open
To Anyone with CA Criminal Record


On July 15, Root & Rebound, an Oakland-based reentry advocacy firm, is hosting a free Reentry Legal Clinic for people with criminal records in California. The clinic offers an opportunity for attendees with an arrest or conviction record to speak one-on-one with lawyers about their legal rights. 
 
For full record-cleaning services, attendees should bring a government-issued photo ID, a copy of their criminal record (or RAP sheet), and any other paperwork related to their legal questions. The clinic is open to anyone with a criminal record. 
 
The Sonoma Clinic will be held on Monday, July 15, 2019 from 11 AM - 3:30 PM at Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Inc. (144 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa). To RSVP, visit this link or call (510) 279 - 4662.
Thank You for Attending our Annual Meeting!
 
On June 12th, we were joined by Frank and Bill SmithWaters of the SmithWaters Group, which manages Patients Rights Advocacy services in Sonoma County. The two speakers delivered a fascinating presentation about the history and role of patients rights advocacy and their own personal experiences with mental health services. They also explained the important services their office provides in our community. Our thanks go to Pastor Cindy Alloway and the Church of the Roses for providing space for the presentation! 
Study on Psychiatric Medications Seeks
Family Member Participants

 
You may be interested in enrolling in an anonymous study conducted by Dr. Kia J. Bentley of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work in collaboration with NAMI Virginia on the attitudes, beliefs and experiences of family members related to psychiatric medications.
 
The hope is that the study results will empower family to better understand and support the care and treatment of their loved one. Results will be shared with NAMI members in the coming months. If you are the family member of a child, adolescent, or adult with a mental illness or serious emotional challenge and want to participate, please follow this link: Family Experiences with Psychiatric Medication
Copyright © 2019 NAMI Sonoma County, All rights reserved.


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