NAMI Ohio Conference

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on the NAMI Ohio Conference. Mental Health Insurance Parity was one of the recommendations of the Ohio Autism Taskforce. There is currently legislation pending in both the Ohio House and Senate regarding this issue. For more information on the house bill HB180 visit http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_HB_180. For more information on the Senate bill SB116 visit http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_SB_116. Please contact your legislators to support this legislation - it is important for segments of our population and as a step in the process of insurance parity for autism.

FYI - please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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NAMI Ohio Annual Conference

NAMI Ohio to Host Transformation Conference for Families and Consumers

A New Day for Families and Consumers to be held May 5-6, 2006

On Friday, May 5, 2006, NAMI Ohio will host “A New Day for Families and Consumers,†an opportunity exclusively for them to participate in the launching of this effort to transform the mental health system in Ohio. The NAMI Ohio Annual Meeting will be held on May 6th, as will the NAMIWalks for the Mind of America.

To download an electronic copy of the NAMI Ohio Annual Conference registration brochure, go to www.namiohio.org

As announced last fall, Ohio has been awarded a $14 million grant to transform mental health care in the state. The grant, awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), is for five years with the initial focus being on assessment and planning. ODMH Director Hogan has stated that, “This grant will help us address mental illnesses with the same urgency as other medical problems, and to assure that all Ohioans with mental illness can live, work, learn and participate fully in their communities.â€

It is the latter part of this statement that NAMI Ohio views as the bottom line for transformation. For much too long, Ohio’s system of health and mental health care has been fragmented across many areas of government. This, in turn, has resulted in consumers being unable to access the full array of services that would enhance their recovery and their ability to “participate fully in their communities.â€

The Mental Health Act of 1988 was a milestone in Ohio’s treatment of persons with biological brain diseases. The Act shifted focus from hospitalization to the community, with the promise of supports to help clients survive and thrive in their home communities. Much of the promise of the Mental Health Act has been fulfilled. However, the full array of community supports to allow clients with different levels of need to live in the community has not been successfully implemented. Significant gaps remain, particularly in terms of those needing daily monitoring but not hospitalization and in terms of employment and housing.

“It is imperative that we provide a forum for the voice of those most closely impacted by serious mental illness be heard,†said Terry , Executive Director of NAMI Ohio. “We cannot let that voice be diluted, overshadowed or in any way downplayed. For that reason, NAMI Ohio will dedicate the first day of its annual conference to the family and consumer voice for system transformation.â€

The opportunity for mental health professionals and various state department representatives to learn about the New Day transformation effort will be held on May 4th. This day will provide an exclusive opportunity for mental health stakeholders involved in the various levels of service delivery to come together and learn about the purpose, process and scope of the transformation grant. Much of the same information and the same presenters will be a part of the Family and Consumer New Day Conference on May 5th. “This split approach was chosen so that all interested and impacted parties could participate and learn from a perspective that is most meaningful to their roles in the mental health system of care,†continued. “Also, the concerns, needs and desires of the respective groups can be given more time and attention by splitting the kick-off into two days. Be assured that as planning progresses, the many voices will come together both literally and figuratively. However, it will always be NAMI Ohio’s position to seek and provide the strongest platform for consumer and family input.â€

Following the New Day Conference for Families and Consumers, NAMI Ohio will continue its conference activities on Friday evening with dinner and entertainment. Plans may include a 50s-themed event, so bring out the saddle shoes, bobby socks, poodle skirts, tight jeans, t-shirts and Brylcream for an evening of oldies and fun. The Quinn Family will provide musical entertainment, with 50s hits filling the air during their much-needed breaks.

On Saturday, May 6th, NAMI Ohio is joining forces with NAMI lin County on its NAMI Walk. Affiliates are encouraged to assemble their own walk teams to join lin County walk teams. Individuals will also be encouraged to walk. This will provide a media event associated with the conference and, more importantly, will draw the attention of the general public and reduce stigma through media coverage. For those not able to personally participate in the NAMI Walk, NAMI Ohio will provide programming at the hotel.

NAMI Ohio’s Annual Conference will conclude on Saturday with a luncheon, annual meeting and awards ceremony.

NAMI’s voice is strong because it represents both individuals living with a diagnosis of a serious neurological brain disorder—schizophrenia, bi-polar, major depression, etc.—as well as those living with, caring for, and loving those who have an illness. We need a very strong turn-out of both family members and consumers to attend the May 5th New Day for Families and Consumers Conference. We especially need greater representation and participation of family members/caregivers of children and adolescents. If your area has not already planned a strong and diverse contingency to attend the conference, do so today! Your voice will not be heard if you are not present!

For more information regarding the New Day for Families and Consumers Conference, contact Lindberg at NAMI Ohio, 1-800-686-2646.