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April - June 2006 Quarterly Report

California Network of Mental Health Clients
Contract # 05-75352-000
Quarterly Report
April 1 - June 30, 2006

KEY ADMINISTRATIVE/MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES:

• Staff continued to provide administrative and program support for all of the CNMHC Projects. This was particularly true for the Regions, via assisting in solving certain problems in some of the Regions and assisting all of the Regions in their annual Regional membership meetings. One or more staff went to four(4) of the annual Regional Meetings. CNMHC materials were prepared for distribution at all of the meetings.
• Staff continued to work collaboratively with other mental health constituency groups, policy makers, and legislators.
• The Executive Director (along with the Office of Self Help Director) continues to be a key participant in the Recovery Consortium, a project of the National Empowerment Center (NEC.) She continued to work collaboratively with other consortium members in the final stages of developing a manual on statewide consumer run advocacy groups, specifically describing the CNMHC, that will be published by NEC with SAMHSA support. She met with the other consortium members in monthly teleconferences, as well as participated in a teleconference training for the Florida Peer Network, an emerging statewide consumer organization.
• Staff continued to work with Trilogy Integrated Resources (the company that manages the Network of Care) to redesign the CNMHC Web Site. The site map was finalized, and materials to launch the site clarified. (This site was launched in early August, 2006.)
• The CNMHC e- mail list serve continues through the management of a Board member.
• The Executive Director participated in the development of two new organizations: Mental Health Managers in Recovery, a California statewide organizations of consumers in county and statewide management positions. National Association of Consumers Survivors Statewide Organization, an emerging national organization or statewide client run organizations to provide a strong and effective voice for consumers on the national level.
• A great deal of staff time was spent in preparing for the CNMHC's Annual day at the Capitol, Rally and Information Sharing. Preparation included getting a permit for the Capitol site, developing and sending a flier out, getting a legislative sponsor for a Capitol hospitality room as well as some equipment, arranging for lunch for the attendees, outreaching to clients throughout the state to encourage attendance, arranging for transportation and lodging for some clients, developing the program and inviting the guest speakers, preparing a Rally "theme" policy paper and press release, developing information to attendees to assist them in legislative visits, and copying all CNMHC relevant information for display tables at the Rally.
• Staff time was also devoted to preparing for the 3 day Board Meeting held in June.
• Staff prepared a proposed contract for FY 06/07 for the Department of Mental Health (DMH). In addition, staff advocated for the reinstatement of expected funding for fiscal year 06/07 that was at risk of being cut from the Governor's budget.

KEY BOARD ACTIVITIES:

• The Personnel Committee met to finalize Job Announcements for new CNMHC positions, the MHSA Coordinator and MHSA Regional Coordinators.
• There was a 3 day Board Meeting in June. This meeting consisted of two days of Committee Meetings, followed by the Board Meeting proper. The Committee that met were: Consumer Employment Ad Hoc Committee, Public Education and Policy Committee (within which is the MHSA Work Group), Program Evaluation/Client Forum Planning Committee, Cultural Competency Committee, the Finance Committee and Personnel Committee. This particular Board Meeting devoted an afternoon to working on a one year transition plan, and the beginnings of a 5 year work plan.

Significant Meeting activities:

• The Executive Director announced her plans to leave her position by July 1, 2007. The Board developed a one year transition plan, with time tables.
• A new Board Committee was established: Employment and Training Committee. This Committee has the following goals:
1. Promote full client participation in the development and implementation of Training and Education/Workforce Development activities at the state and local levels.
2. Advocate for the employment of consumers, in the fields of their choice.
3. Provide education to employers on the necessary supports for successful employment.
4. Provide leadership training and development to consumers for successful involvement and employment.
5. Promote education and training for employment in Self-Help and Peer Support Services.
6. To promote the expertise of clients in Training and Education.

The newly formed Committee proposed a change to an Objective in the CNMHC's By Laws. (In place of 5th Objective in Bylaws.)

• New Personnel Policies were approved.
• The Board approved the DMH contract budget, including the expansion budget and new MHSA program, for FY 06/07.
• The Board discussed expanding CNMHC support to more realistic programmatic levels, especially the new MHSA program.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Client Forum 2007

Contingent on negotiations with the hotel, Client Forum 07 will be held in Los Angeles at the Radisson Hotel at Culver City, January 25 - 27, 2007.

The Conference Coordinator for the past few years, because of her current full time job with the CNMHC, can no longer fill the position. Therefore, the CNMHC will conduct outreach and contract with a new Conference Coordinator.

Cultural Competency Project

Background: The CNMHC has joined with 3 statewide advocacy organizations to form the collaborative California Outreach & Education Collaborative (COEC) offering MHSA Educational Forums to select counties for identified underserved community populations. The organizations are the Mental Health Associations of CA, National alliance of Mental Illness-CA, and the United Advocates for Children of CA. The CNMHC component of the COEC is called, CA. Client Diversity Outreach and Inclusion Team (CA Clients DO-IT)

• The CNMHC COEC Coordinator was appointed to be a liaison to the cross disability community, specifically participating in the planning for Capitol Action Day, a cross disability activity day consisting of an educational forum, march, rally at the Capitol, and legislative visits. The CNMHC was among the many disability groups that sponsored the event. This event was held on June 1. CNMHC members participated as speakers at the Forum and Rally, and throughout the Day.
• The CNMHC Coordinator participated in 3 outreach COEC events in Calaveras County for older adults: April 27 at which 30 people attended; May 3 at which 27 people attended; and May 9 at which 28 people attended. The CNMHC has conducted follow up communication with Calaveras County, leading to a future training.
• COEC conducted an outreach day long event for transitional age youth in Sacramento County on June 3. Although there were 50 people in attendance, the representation of youth was minimal. This was unexpected given the extensive outreach to young people and promotion of the event in Sacramento County.

Public Education and Policy Project (PEPP)

• The PEPP held its annual Day at the Capitol, a day beginning with a Rally on the Capitol grounds, followed by lunch provided by a local self-help program, and then legislative visits inside the Capitol.

On May 17, 2006 the CA Network of Mental Health Clients held the annual "Day at the Capitol". The client advocates came from throughout the state, from the Far South to the Far North. The morning began with a Rally/educational forum on the lawn in front of the Capitol. Many speakers shared with the attendees the importance of client involvement on all levels during this vital period of system transformation. Speakers are listed below. Lunch was donated and served by the members of Sacramento Consumer Self-Help Centers. After the Rally/forum and lunch, attendees entered the Capitol to do legislative visits. Packets had been prepared with materials explaining the positions of the CA Network and defining the principles and policies of CA clients. These educational packets were delivered to attendees' local legislators and to Executive officials, with clients speaking on the hope of the MHSA and discussing the challenges that some had encountered. Sen. Chesbro sponsored a room within the Capitol for CNMHC to gather and distribute additional educational materials. It was a high-energy day and felt great to share knowledge and power with others.

The program for the educational forum "Day at the Capitol" was moderated by Gail Green, CNMHC 1st Vice President & Lynnette Peraza, CNMHC 2nd Vice President. Inspirational music was offered by Nancy Thomas, Executive Director of the Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients with the audience joining in. Forum Speakers included: Dave Hosseini, representing CARES spoke on Board and Care issues and SB 258; Evelyn Abouhassan, the public policy officer of PAI encouraged the crowd to continue to stand for their rights and principles; Willyum Waters discussed the continued development of the CA Memorial Project and the possible funding of the Napa State Hospital Memorial; Christina Mills-Hovious represented the CA Independent Living Centers and spoke strongly on the need to united with all disability groups and the strength that comes from that united voice; Sally Zinman, the CNMHC Executive Director, continued the theme of "hope and struggle" that mental health policies, programs, services and funding will hold for the future; Michele D. Curran -Director, CNMHC Office of Self-Help thanked the attendees for their important presence and reviewed the method of legislative visits. The day's keynote speech was given by Susan Gallagher, the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Sacramento.

Special guests from the MHS Oversight and Accountability Commission also spoke during the morning event: Jennifer Clancy, the Executive Director of MHS OAC was quite forceful in her call for client involvement at every level of decision-making and reminded the audience of the importance of strong advocacy. She reviewed the charge of the Commission and the role the Commission will play in the transformation process. Darrell Steinberg, Chair of the Commission came to speak to the audience and inspired them to continue their involvement in attaining their the goals. Senator Wesley Chesbro, a member of the Commission, long a champion of the client movement in CA. also spoke. Sen. Chesbro stated that he has grown more knowledgeable about client issues through the years by working closely with the CA Network and pledged to continue that work in any future position he might obtain.

• As part of a broad coalition of disability groups, the CNMHC co sponsored Capitol Action Day. The CNMHC personned a table of CNMHC literature at the day long event.
• The PEPP held nine (9) teleconferences, many as a participant organization of CARES ( Coalition Advocating for Rights, Empowerment and Services) and one of the sub-Committee, the Client MHSA Implementation team.
• The PEPP produced two News Alerts, in May and June, distributed to an advocacy mailing list of over 200 individuals as well as self-help groups throughout the State. Both concentrated on the legislative initiative - AB 2357 - that extends the sunset deadline of AB 1421, an involuntary outpatient commitment law.
• The Client MHSA Implementation Team produced a Draft Concept Paper on Mental Health Financial Challenges in Building a Recovery Oriented System.
• The CNMHC was invited to formally present this Policy Paper to the MHSOAC. Two CNMHC workgroups, the Prevention, Early Intervention and Stigma and Workforce Development, met several times via teleconference to develop policy papers.
• The Client MHSA Implementation Team coordinated a client presence at all three (3) MHSA Oversight and Accountability Commission (OAC) meetings this quarter. Many CNMHC members serve on MHSA OAC Committees.
• The CNMHC distributed a Scholarship Announcement and Application electronically and supported (through DMH assistance) four (4) clients' attendance at each of the DMH MHSA Stakeholder meetings in southern and northern California.
• The PEPP Committee continued to address AB 2357, the bill that extends the sunset deadline of involuntary outpatient commitment. The PEPP continued to meet with CARES. The CNMHC wrote letters to Committees as the bill went through the legislative process - Assembly Judiciary and Appropriations Committee, Senate Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committee, and a Senate Floor Alert. The CNMHC also, in collaboration with CARES, visited legislative offices.
• The PEPP met with legislative staff and Community Care Licensing to discus our on going concern about the need for board and care reform.
• In accordance with our goal to aggressively assure that clients are represented at all levels of the mental health system, the CNMHC has provided the client perspective in many venues. Following are a selected few:
• Many CNMHC members sit on the nine(9) special topic work groups of the MHSA Workforce, Education and Training component.
• CNMHC members sit on the MHSOAC sub-Committees and DMH special topic Work Groups and Advisory Committees.
• CNMHC members are part of DMH's expert pool that has reviewed County CSS plans.
• Machelle Reeves and Blanca DeLeon serve on the Cultural Competency Summit Planning Committee
• Michele Curan, with other client advocates, serves on the Values-Driven, Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Board
• Nancy Thomas and Blanca de Leon represented the CNMHC at a regional meeting held by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/ Community Support program
• Sally Zinman and Nancy Thomas presented at Capitol Action Day, at the Educational Forum and the Rally
• Sally Zinman presented at:
  Participated in a radio debate on outpatient commitment on KPCC LA
  Was a key note speaker at Berkeley's May is Mental health Month event
  Presented at United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRAS) as part of a national panel on involuntary outpatient commitment
  Was interviewed for a video presentation by PRO International.

• The PEPP continued its collaboration with Protection and Advocacy, Inc (PAI) and People First of California on the California Memorial Project. Key activities of the CMP Coordinator follow:
  
  
• Continued to discuss plans for restoration of the Napa Cemetery with the Department of Mental Health
  
  
1. Met with DMH all through the planning process, including meetings to discuss the finding of the GPS scan of the current cemetery grounds as well as funding of the restoration.
   
   
2. Collaborated with other CMP representatives prior to these DMH meetings to discuss current CMP issues that needed to be brought up at the meetings. One such discussion included the possibility that the restoration may need to be completed without including the names, date of deaths or date of births of the deceased. However, language in a new bill - SB 258 - has been may be added to the current CMP legislation to allow for this.
   
   
• Began the process of planning for the 2006 Remembrance Day Ceremonies around the state.
  
  
1. Participated in several meetings and discussions with other CMP representative to discuss the event.
   
   
2. Generated the 'Save the Date' flyer to be distributed around the state reminding people to attend the nearest Remembrance Day Ceremony in their area. (Sent in July, 2006.)
   
   
• Continued work on the recording of the Client Movement.
  
  
1. Continued to add segments to video recordings that include many important pioneers of the consumer/client movement.
   
   
2. Completed volume one of this video. Volume 2 will follow as soon as more footage is available.
   
   
• Participated in this year California Network of Mental Health Clients Day at the Capitol event.
  
  
1. Spoke at this event about the California Memorial Project to include an up to date account of where the Project currently stands.
   
   

Newsletter

The CNMHC produced Cal Net Gazette, Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2006. This was an e-zine issue of the Cal Net Gazette. However, it was mailed to all listed self-help/peer support programs and an extensive special advocacy list of clients.

The Board made the decision that mailed issues of a newsletter were inefficient, costly, and even non informative given the speed of changing news through the internet. Next years program and budget for the CDMH contract reflects this acknowledgement of changing communications demanding different kinds of communication.

Self-Help and Regional Projects

All Regions held Regional Membership Meetings at which new Board Members were elected, the annual Regional Project reviewed, and new Projects for the coming year discussed and voted on. (The Bay Area Region, due to time constraints at its Meeting, postponed its decision about FY 07/07 Regional Project until August.)

The Central Valley Project Report for Quarter and FY 05/06:

The 2006 project for the Central Valley Region consisted of four trainings on the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and Alternative and Holistic Healthcare Practices. Dates and locations were as follows:

Placer County - Roseville, April 28th Dave Schroeder - Medicare Part D
Dan Croteau and Donna Nunes - Alternative and Holistic Healthcare Practices

San Joaquin County - Stockton, May 4th
Dave Schroeder and Deborah Landis - Medicare Part D
Anita Shumaker - Alternative and Holistic Health Practices

Fresno County - Fresno, May 8th
Dave Schroeder and Deborah Landis - Medicare Part D
Dan Croteau and Donna Nunes - Alternative and Holistic Healthcare Practices

Merced County - Merced, May 9th
Dave Schroeder and Deborah Landis - Medicare Part D
Dan Croteau and Donna Nunes - Alternative and Holistic Healthcare Practices

Feedback from consumers was quite positive. Tips on how to get the quickest response from Medicare, warnings about marketing scams, and clarification of countless questions brought many positive comments from consumers. The Holistic Healthcare portion comments included appreciation for the humor, curiosity about different healing modalities, and natural ways to achieve relief from side effects of traditional medication.

Summary: The largest consumer showing occurred in Stockton with upwards of thirty people attending. Cheryl Torres, the consumer liaison in Stockton, did a wonderful job of publicizing in her area. Time constraints between the hiring of the coordinator and the Medicare Part D deadline of May 15th, as well as the coordinators' inexperience were contributors to lower attendance at the other locations. More emphasis on publicizing is necessary. However, lower numbers in the other cities provided the opportunity for more personal interaction between presenters and the audience, and the time to answer more questions. The food and drinks, all of which were healthy, and prepared by consumer helpers received very positive responses from nearly everyone who attended.

The Bay Area Regional Project Report for fiscal year 05/06:

1. The Bay Area Coordinator presented the Draft report "Normal People Don't Want to Know Us", at Alternatives 2005 and the National Association of Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) Conference. She formatted the Report on a CD and hard copy for distribution.
2. The Project Coordinator presented a 90 minute workshop at the CNMHC Client Forum, with an electronic overview of the Bay Area Region's report on stigma and discrimination, followed by a panel presentation and Q & A from attendees.
3. The Project Coordinator wrote, edited, uploaded and published a new website for the CNMHC Bay Area Regional Project: Strategies for Transformation -Rethinking Stigma, Ending Discrimination.
4. The Project Coordinator co-presented a workshop with Dr. Steven Segal and Andrew Phelps, "Mental Health: Getting Transformation Right" at San Jose/Evergreen Community College District's Instructional Improvement Day: "Courageous Conversations: From Crisis to Constructive Action."
5. The Project Coordinator co-presented a 90 minute Spirit workshop in Concord on stigma and discrimination, focusing on the Bay Area Region's qualitative research study on stigma and discrimination and emerging themes from the report.
6. Hosted multiple CNMHC teleconference on strategies for the MHSA Prevention and Early Intervention, with a focus on reduction of discrimination and stigma; took detailed notes and prepared minutes on participants' ideas and feedback, many of which will be used both in the Prevention position paper and in the Recommendations section of the Bay Area stigma and discrimination report.
7. Added several dozen new resources and two new navigation features to the Links page of the Bay Area Project website, along with simple instructions for how other sites may link to us and four new banners they may use; corresponded with organizations who now have detailed listings in our growing directory, asking that they visit our site and consider linking to it. The more CBOs, writers and artists who post links to our site on theirs, the more exposure our Regional Project will receive, and the better our chances of reaching prospective new members, including many youth who may not otherwise find out about us. Already, there are links to the Bay Area Project website on at least twelve other sites - and traffic to our site has increased by 250% to approx. 315 unique visitors per month, with 40 returning visitors (as compared to approx. 120 visitors, 10 returning, during its first month). Since I began counting stats on our site in April, it has drawn nearly 800 visitors, with 120 returning.

The South Regional Project for fiscal year 05/06:

BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR LANGUAGE AND ETHNIC GROUPS

SOUTH REGIONAL PROJECT - CNMHC

PROJECT: To complete 25 focus groups with clients of ethnic and language groups being served in each county of the Southern Region (see below for list of counties involved), and share information with participating counties in order to assist them in providing necessary cultural and linguistic mental health services for their clients.

DEMOGRAPHICS:

County of residence: Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo

FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS

Demographics: age, gender, county of residence
Language: threshold language
Ethnicity: Caucasian, African American, Latino, Native American, Asian, Other
Co-occurring Disorder YES NO

1. Have there been any barriers to your receiving mental health services because of your ethnicity YES NO
2. or language? YES NO
3. If so, what were they? LIST
4. Have you been able to receive mental health services in your primary language? Always Frequently Sometimes Never
5. Are the mental health services you receive culturally competent (provided by someone of your own culture or by someone who had understanding of your culture)? YES NO
6. If taking medications, did you have informed consent so that you could make a decision about whether to take it or not?
(a) verbal explanation, NO YES
(b) written explanation in your own language, YES NO
(c) explanation of possible benefits and side effects YES NO

Language(s) completed to date: Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, English, Cambodian, and Tagalog

Ethnicity included to date: Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, African-American, Cambodian, and Filipino

Focus Group Data (to date)

EVALUATION (preliminary):
Top number is YES and bottom number is No

1- ) 22/68: Don't have significant barriers due to ethnicity in accessing services
2- ) 12/78: More linguistically appropriate services offered.
4- ) 57+21/10/2: Usually able to receive services in primary language
5- ) 67/23: More culturally competent than not
6- ) (a) 79/11: usually receive verbal information about medication
(b) 39/51: Less able to receive written information in primary language
(c) 46/44: Significant problem getting information about benefits and possible side effects of medication.

RECOMMENDATION: Since this project began mid-year, less than half of the focus groups were completed and all of them in Los Angeles County. It is hoped that this project will be approved for continuation in the next fiscal year, with emphasis on outreach to the other four (4) counties in the South Region.

Far North Project report for fiscal year 05/06:

Two trainings were held on an Inroduction to Peer Counseling. The first was held in Lassen County. Twenty-six people attended from 3 counties. The second training was in Glenn County and 79 people attended from 11 counties.

The 2 day annual meeting was held in Glenn County and was attended by 63 people from 12 counties. Additional trainings on Social Security Benefits, and Empowerment and Client Employment were given at this mini- Conference. In the Far South, a CNMHC Board Member actively participated in a county-wide Consumer Networking Conference at TEAM House in San Bernadino County.

Far South Regional Project Report for fiscal year 05/06:

The region held two trainings on How to Have an Effective Voice as Members of Boards and Commissions. One training was held in San Diego at the Corner Clubhouse in April. The second training was held at San Bernadino Club House in June.

• The Office of Self Help key activities include the following: (This Project is funded by a SAMHSA grant along with a smaller grant from the California Wellness Foundation. However, DMH provides much in-kind support for this Project and DMH contracted activities interrelate with it. For example, the Director of the Office of Self Help supervises the Regional Project Coordinators.) The following key activities were completed by the Director of the Office of Self Help (OSH.)

April, 2006

• Worked on and Completed SAMHSA continuation grant application
• Made fourteen (14) visits to CA Legislature members and aides to discuss the benefits of self-help and consumer-run programs in assisting recovery
• Offered technical assistance by phone and electronically on twenty-three (23 ) occasions
• Participated in statewide teleconference on Value-driven, Evidence-based Practices Taskforce led by CA Institute of Mental Health
• Presented at a conference on Wellness/Recovery in Santa Cruz and acted as a resource for other participants
• Hosted a statewide teleconference for self-help specialists with eighteen (18) participants
• In role of supervisor to the Regional Project Coordinators, Met ten (10 ) times with Project Coordinators and/or Regional Directors to discus project issues.
• Held meeting with CiMH evaluation staff of the Project

May, 2006

• Produced MS PowerPoint training presentation in Client Culture
• Designed CNMHC Office of Self-Help/ TASC tri-fold brochure
• Contacted all Regional Coordinators to review status of Regional projects and offer assistance as needed
• Held meeting with the CIMH evaluation staff, did analysis of returned surveys, and discussed possible revisions in measurement tools
• Offered technical assistance by phone and electronically on fourteen (14) occasions
• Hosted a statewide teleconference for self-help specialists with twenty-two (22) participants
• Participated on SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Grant Program teleconference
• Participated in statewide Values-driven, Evidence-based Practice Advisory Board teleconference hosted by CIMH
• Participated in national teleconference for consumer consortium for technical assistance to emerging state consumer groups
• Began discussion in offering technical assistance to Riverside County Mental Health.
• Made arrangements to offer training to Ventura County Client Network for May 22. Dave Hosseini was the Client Specialist who did the training.
• Assisted Monterey County consumer group in development of a consumer-run Wellness Center
• Continued working with Regional Project Coordinators

June, 2006

• Continued assistance with Regional Project Coordinators and Projects.
• Attended Central Valley Regional meeting in Stockton. Gave presentation concerning Office of Self-Help/TASC and importance of consumer empowerment
• Held discussion with Monterey County about possible presentations/trainings
• Provided technical assistance to a member of the Berkeley Mental Health Commission on 1st Responders trainings and educational trainings for law enforcement two (2) times
• Provided technical assistance to an emerging self-help group in Santa Barbara County three (3) times. Also began negotiations for trainings in three (3) locations throughout Santa Barbara County.
• Held follow-up technical assistance call to consumer group in Santa Cruz County
• Participated in national teleconference for consumer consortium for technical assistance to emerging state consumer groups
• Gave presentation about status of Office of Self-Help/TASC to CNMHC Board of Directors with prepared materials
• Met with representatives of NAMI Calaveras and NAMI Amador to discuss possible consumer-run programs in those two counties
• Designed and published the Cal Net Gazette in an electronic version
• Began negotiations with Riverside for technical assistance
• Spoke with consumer group in Monterey by phone
• Was requested to serve on a statewide advisory group to explore issues of using MediCal reimbursement for recovery-based services led by CA DMH. Also requested to recommend other representatives from the client community
• Began negotiations with Calaveras County for presentations in Client Culture
• Provided a list of consumer-run organizations and self-help groups to Napa County (to send a RFP for consumer-run center) and PAI (for job announcement)
• Had two (2) requests from Imperial County. One (1) for a list of consumer resources throughout the county and one (1) for trainings/presentations in multiple subjects. Contacted one of the Client Specialist to check interest and availability.