OMHSAS Announcements

March 5, 2010

PA Statewide Survey of Trained Certified Peer Specialists for 2010

OMHSAS is finalizing the Pennsylvania statewide survey of trained Certified Peer Specialists for 2010. The purpose is to collect data to support the value of peer support as a service.  The survey is being completed with the assistance of the University of Pennsylvania Collaborative on Community Integration and the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition.

The survey is open to anyone who has completed the CPS training in PA, regardless of your current work status (i.e., unemployed, employed full- or part-time, volunteer) or the types of position you are in (e.g., peer specialist/peer support, case manager, advocacy, policy advisor, county administrator, etc.)  See attached announcement.

The link to the survey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DDM8X8K

Each CPS that responds increases the value of the survey. Incidentally, PA has the largest number of trained CPSs (1161) of any state at this time. If you have already completed the survey, thank you for your time. Please pass the word to other CPSs who have not yet completed the survey. See attachments for more information.

Closing date for responding to the survey is March 15, 2010.  

• Download: Announcement

The Geriatric Education Center of Pennsylvania Consortium Presents FREE Half-Day Training Sessions On:

Substance and Medication Abuse/Misuse in Older
Adults; and Elder Abuse

The sessions will be held throughout the spring at various locations, details can be found on the Registration Flyer:

• Download: Registration Flyer

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Workshop

Register Now!

A two day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Workshop sponsored by the PA Adult/ Older Adult Suicide Prevention Coalition March 31-April 1, 2010 in Harrisburg

ASIST is designed to help all caregivers become more willing, ready and able to help persons at risk. Suicide can be prevented with the help of prepared caregivers. The workshop is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). This includes professionals, paraprofessionals and lay people. It is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, counselors, youth workers, police and correctional staff, school support staff, clergy, and community volunteers.

• Download: Registration

Pa Office of Vocational Rehabilitation will be holding a period of pubic comment on its proposed Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2011 Combined Agency State Plan Attachments. A copy of the approved FFY 2010 Combined Agency State Plan Attachments, as well as the proposed FFY 2011 Combined Agency State Plan Attachments, will be available on the OVR website, www.dli.state.pa.us by using “Disability Services” as the Keyword.

The purpose of this period of comment is to provide individuals, advocates, and other interested parties and/or organizations opportunities to present their views and recommendations regarding Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services for persons with disabilities. Information attached

• Download: Schedule

OMHSAS News