Below are a few bills of interest to social workers and their clients. I have highlighted a few points in the bill that may be of concern. As a citizen of NC, you may contact your legislators to let them know how you feel about particular bills. You may also contact the bill sponsors!
Bills of interest:
Protect Health Care Freedom
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H2
- opting out of the federal mandate to have health care by 2014
- this will add NC to the host of other states that have taken this to federal courts.
- let your legislators know how this bill has already impacted you and your clients and how it will impact you if it is not obtained.
Disapprove Closure of Dorthea Dix Hospital
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H4
- Closure of the hospital has to be voted upon in the General Assembly
- Let your legislators know how you feel about the closing of this historic state hospital and how it impacts the mental health system in our state
No Post-secondary Education/Illegal Aliens
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H11
- This would ban the illegal aliens that can pay out of state costs to attend our community colleges from obtaining degrees
- This bill also adds public universities to the list of where they cannot attend school (not just community colleges)
- Let your legislators know how this infringes on rights of the people in this state
Children's Advocacy Center Funds
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H16
- This bill allocates a certain amount of money to advocacy groups to continue to research needs faced by children in this state.
- Let your legislators know the importance of these funds for our children and for our state!
Upcoming bills:
Requiring Photo ID's to Vote
- This bill has not been introduced yet but will be SOON. Let your legislators know how it would limit vulnerable people in this state that do not have ID from voting (elderly folks that no longer have licenses, people with disabilities, people that cannot afford to get government ID, etc!).
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A note from the Director of Advocay, Policy and Legislation
I typically use this space to forward information on about events/conferences/news/etc. Today I am writing in hopes to inspire you to get connected with your elected officials. Legislation will move QUICKLY through the General Assembly. It is in the best interest of your profession and clients to speak on behalf of issues you feel strongly about. You can call, email and hand write letters to those that represent you (and to those that sponsor/co-sponsor particular bills).
It is really so simple to communicate with them and you should by no means feel intimated. They are people just like you! To find out who represents you, go to http://ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html. If you need some help with inspiration of what to say about particular pieces of legislation, feel free to contact me at kay@naswnc.org.
It really is such an important time for you to get involved! The social work profession needs help from EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! So stand up to advocate for yourself, your profession, your clients and the community you live in!
Kay Paksoy
Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation
It is really so simple to communicate with them and you should by no means feel intimated. They are people just like you! To find out who represents you, go to http://ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html. If you need some help with inspiration of what to say about particular pieces of legislation, feel free to contact me at kay@naswnc.org.
It really is such an important time for you to get involved! The social work profession needs help from EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! So stand up to advocate for yourself, your profession, your clients and the community you live in!
Kay Paksoy
Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Preventing suicide Tips
In North Carolina, to prevent suicides ANYONE needing help or concerned that an individual is considering causing harm to himself or herself call 24/7:
• Access to Care/Crisis Services lines in the Local Management Entities http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/lmedirectory.htm
• CARE-LINE (Monday-Friday 8-5 only) by calling 1-800-662-7030 (English/Spanish) or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY). For local calls, you may dial 855-4400 (English/Spanish) or 919-733-4851 (TTY). http://www.ncdhhs.gov/ocs/careline.htm
• REAL Crisis Intervention, Greenville, NC 27858, 1-252-758-4357
http://www.realcrisis.org/
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
• 911 - if a life threatening emergency
WARNING SIGNS
Abrupt change in personality
Withdrawal from others
Giving away possessions
Change in sleep habits
Previous suicidal attempts
Change in eating habits
Drugs or alcohol abuse
Change in hygiene
Talk about suicide
KNOW THE FACTS
Every 42 seconds, someone attempts suicide. Every 16.9 minutes, someone completes suicide.
Suicide outnumbered homicides (16,899) by 5 to 3.
There were twice as many deaths due to suicide than deaths due to HIV/AIDS (14,802).
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
It was the 8th leading cause of death for males, and 19th leading cause of death for females.
Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) are suicide deaths for white men over 85.
Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide.
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in adults are depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce.
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression, alcohol or other drug use disorder, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors
(Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/App_Files/Media/PDF/NSPL_WalletCard.pdf
• Access to Care/Crisis Services lines in the Local Management Entities http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/lmedirectory.htm
• CARE-LINE (Monday-Friday 8-5 only) by calling 1-800-662-7030 (English/Spanish) or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY). For local calls, you may dial 855-4400 (English/Spanish) or 919-733-4851 (TTY). http://www.ncdhhs.gov/ocs/careline.htm
• REAL Crisis Intervention, Greenville, NC 27858, 1-252-758-4357
http://www.realcrisis.org/
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
• 911 - if a life threatening emergency
WARNING SIGNS
Abrupt change in personality
Withdrawal from others
Giving away possessions
Change in sleep habits
Previous suicidal attempts
Change in eating habits
Drugs or alcohol abuse
Change in hygiene
Talk about suicide
KNOW THE FACTS
Every 42 seconds, someone attempts suicide. Every 16.9 minutes, someone completes suicide.
Suicide outnumbered homicides (16,899) by 5 to 3.
There were twice as many deaths due to suicide than deaths due to HIV/AIDS (14,802).
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
It was the 8th leading cause of death for males, and 19th leading cause of death for females.
Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) are suicide deaths for white men over 85.
Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide.
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in adults are depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce.
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression, alcohol or other drug use disorder, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors
(Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/App_Files/Media/PDF/NSPL_WalletCard.pdf
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Legislator Visits UNC School of Social Work
http://ssw.unc.edu/contact/sen-ellie-kinnaird-visits-the-school
The Right Thing To Do
The Herald-Sun
January 24, 2011
By Ellen S. Holliman, Gudrun Parmer and Marcia H. Morey
Guest columnists
We noted with interest the recent Herald-Sun article called “Jails Tackle Tough Issue,” which highlighted what has been a source of serious concern in the behavioral health community locally and nationally for years. It should not be a revelation today that our jails (in addition to our homeless shelters and hospital emergency departments) have long been a collection point for individuals experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders, or both. However, we welcome any attention paid to this chronic and troubling issue, as well as this opportunity to balance the story by describing some innovative initiatives in Durham to address it.
The relationship between mental illness and involvement with the criminal justice system is a highly complex one often involving numerous other life issues such as homelessness and poverty. Isolating mental illness as the cause of criminal behavior is unjust and overly simplistic. Data tell us that across the country a significantly higher percentage of persons with mental illness find their way into our correctional systems as compared to the general population, and Durham is no different.
This could lead many to believe that persons with mental illness are dangerous or violent and need to be locked up to keep the public safe. This is just a myth. In fact, persons with mental illness are 12 times more likely to be the victim of a crime than to be an offender. In a recent study of repeat offenders with symptoms of mental illness conducted by The Durham Center, almost 80 percent were jailed on non-violent misdemeanors, but they spent an average of 35 days longer in jail than the general population.
The Durham Center and the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center have nurtured a close collaboration with other members of Durham’s Mental Health Criminal Justice Advisory Committee to work toward preventing our citizens with behavioral health issues from ending up in jail, and providing them with appropriate treament and support when they do. The group works to identify recommendations that would address the “revolving door” of individuals entering into and being released from jail in need of behavioral health services.
Since 2007 The Durham Center has teamed with NAMI-Durham and our law enforcement partners to provide Crisis Intervention Team training to over 180 local law enforcement officers, plus all of Durham’s emergency telecommunicators. This 40-hour training is part of a nationally acclaimed model teaching officers to recognize the signs of mental illness in individuals in crisis and to respond in a way that requires less force and promotes access to treatment rather than arrest and jail.
Recently The Durham Center received a significant grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and partnered with the Durham Police Department, the Criminal Justice Resource Center and the Center for Child and Family Health to win another from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
The SAMHSA grant provides almost $6 million over six years to allow a diverse group of local agencies to target 16-21-year-olds with a serious mental illness and other high risk factors such as poor school performance or dropping out, teenage parenting, criminal justice involvement and lack of employment skills. These vunerable youth will be provided with the comprehensive services and support they need to assist with a successful transition to adulthood, free of involvement with the criminal justice system.
The BJA grant provides over $300,000 to fund a Mental Health Outreach Program designed to reduce re-arrest for non-violent offenses, increase court-involved individuals engaged in mental health treatment, and further increase patrol officers who receive mental health training.
Two social workers and a part-time psychiatrist are housed at the Durham County jail to respond to the mental health needs of inmates and to help ensure that when they are released they are able to transition to appropriate ongoing care and support. People incarcerated at the jail or the local youth detention facility also have access to a psychiatrist through a telepsychiatry program managed by The Durham Center. We continue to focus on expanding community-based care that addresses the unique needs of persons living with mental illness who are criminal-justice involved.
In combination, these measures are designed to route individuals into needed treatment rather than incarceration, when appropiate, and to provide them the help they need when they do end up in jail. Working together we are beginning to see a positive impact. However, the need is great and much more could be done.
More than 150 communities across the country have instituted mental health courts to implement innovative, collaborative efforts among judges, attorneys and other court personnel working alongside mental health practioners to decrease the frequency of contacts that adult offenders have with the criminal justice system by providing courts with resources to improve their social functioning and link them to employment, housing, treatment and support services. The Durham Center is teaming with court officers and elected officials in our community to explore the feasibility of creating a mental health court here. We believe it would have a tangible impact on the numbers of individuals with mental illness in our jail, and we encourage public support for this important initiative.
We realize these initiatives come with a cost during a weakened local economy. However, we submit that providing the services necessary to keep our citizens with behavioral health issues out of our jails, and providing them with the treatment and comprehensive ongoing support that can help reduce their time in jail and keep them from returning, is a wise and necessary investment of tax dollars.
Do we choose to continue to pay over $12,000 per jail stay for individuals with mental illness? Shall we continue to expand our jail capacity to the tune of over $76 million projected in fiscal years 2011 and 2012? Or would the more cost-efficient alternative be to make comparatively meager investments in additional clinical staff for our jail, create additional therapeutic and supportive housing options and develop a mental health court that could divert people from incarceration so they can lead productive, healthy and law-abiding lives?
We want our community to know that this is a serious and complex problem. We want citizens to be aware of the important measures already in place to address it. And we urge members of our community to advocate for public and private support, financial and otherwise, for the additional initiatives that have the potential to save millions of dollars over time while helping our brothers and sisters with behavioral health problems start on the road to recovery.
It’s just the right thing to do.
Ellen S. Holliman is area director of The Durham Center; Gudrun Parmer is director of the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center; and Marcia H. Morey is a Durham County District Court judge.
January 24, 2011
By Ellen S. Holliman, Gudrun Parmer and Marcia H. Morey
Guest columnists
We noted with interest the recent Herald-Sun article called “Jails Tackle Tough Issue,” which highlighted what has been a source of serious concern in the behavioral health community locally and nationally for years. It should not be a revelation today that our jails (in addition to our homeless shelters and hospital emergency departments) have long been a collection point for individuals experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders, or both. However, we welcome any attention paid to this chronic and troubling issue, as well as this opportunity to balance the story by describing some innovative initiatives in Durham to address it.
The relationship between mental illness and involvement with the criminal justice system is a highly complex one often involving numerous other life issues such as homelessness and poverty. Isolating mental illness as the cause of criminal behavior is unjust and overly simplistic. Data tell us that across the country a significantly higher percentage of persons with mental illness find their way into our correctional systems as compared to the general population, and Durham is no different.
This could lead many to believe that persons with mental illness are dangerous or violent and need to be locked up to keep the public safe. This is just a myth. In fact, persons with mental illness are 12 times more likely to be the victim of a crime than to be an offender. In a recent study of repeat offenders with symptoms of mental illness conducted by The Durham Center, almost 80 percent were jailed on non-violent misdemeanors, but they spent an average of 35 days longer in jail than the general population.
The Durham Center and the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center have nurtured a close collaboration with other members of Durham’s Mental Health Criminal Justice Advisory Committee to work toward preventing our citizens with behavioral health issues from ending up in jail, and providing them with appropriate treament and support when they do. The group works to identify recommendations that would address the “revolving door” of individuals entering into and being released from jail in need of behavioral health services.
Since 2007 The Durham Center has teamed with NAMI-Durham and our law enforcement partners to provide Crisis Intervention Team training to over 180 local law enforcement officers, plus all of Durham’s emergency telecommunicators. This 40-hour training is part of a nationally acclaimed model teaching officers to recognize the signs of mental illness in individuals in crisis and to respond in a way that requires less force and promotes access to treatment rather than arrest and jail.
Recently The Durham Center received a significant grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and partnered with the Durham Police Department, the Criminal Justice Resource Center and the Center for Child and Family Health to win another from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
The SAMHSA grant provides almost $6 million over six years to allow a diverse group of local agencies to target 16-21-year-olds with a serious mental illness and other high risk factors such as poor school performance or dropping out, teenage parenting, criminal justice involvement and lack of employment skills. These vunerable youth will be provided with the comprehensive services and support they need to assist with a successful transition to adulthood, free of involvement with the criminal justice system.
The BJA grant provides over $300,000 to fund a Mental Health Outreach Program designed to reduce re-arrest for non-violent offenses, increase court-involved individuals engaged in mental health treatment, and further increase patrol officers who receive mental health training.
Two social workers and a part-time psychiatrist are housed at the Durham County jail to respond to the mental health needs of inmates and to help ensure that when they are released they are able to transition to appropriate ongoing care and support. People incarcerated at the jail or the local youth detention facility also have access to a psychiatrist through a telepsychiatry program managed by The Durham Center. We continue to focus on expanding community-based care that addresses the unique needs of persons living with mental illness who are criminal-justice involved.
In combination, these measures are designed to route individuals into needed treatment rather than incarceration, when appropiate, and to provide them the help they need when they do end up in jail. Working together we are beginning to see a positive impact. However, the need is great and much more could be done.
More than 150 communities across the country have instituted mental health courts to implement innovative, collaborative efforts among judges, attorneys and other court personnel working alongside mental health practioners to decrease the frequency of contacts that adult offenders have with the criminal justice system by providing courts with resources to improve their social functioning and link them to employment, housing, treatment and support services. The Durham Center is teaming with court officers and elected officials in our community to explore the feasibility of creating a mental health court here. We believe it would have a tangible impact on the numbers of individuals with mental illness in our jail, and we encourage public support for this important initiative.
We realize these initiatives come with a cost during a weakened local economy. However, we submit that providing the services necessary to keep our citizens with behavioral health issues out of our jails, and providing them with the treatment and comprehensive ongoing support that can help reduce their time in jail and keep them from returning, is a wise and necessary investment of tax dollars.
Do we choose to continue to pay over $12,000 per jail stay for individuals with mental illness? Shall we continue to expand our jail capacity to the tune of over $76 million projected in fiscal years 2011 and 2012? Or would the more cost-efficient alternative be to make comparatively meager investments in additional clinical staff for our jail, create additional therapeutic and supportive housing options and develop a mental health court that could divert people from incarceration so they can lead productive, healthy and law-abiding lives?
We want our community to know that this is a serious and complex problem. We want citizens to be aware of the important measures already in place to address it. And we urge members of our community to advocate for public and private support, financial and otherwise, for the additional initiatives that have the potential to save millions of dollars over time while helping our brothers and sisters with behavioral health problems start on the road to recovery.
It’s just the right thing to do.
Ellen S. Holliman is area director of The Durham Center; Gudrun Parmer is director of the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center; and Marcia H. Morey is a Durham County District Court judge.
Friday, January 21, 2011
States’ Budget Crises Cut Deeply Into Financing for Mental Health Programs
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/us/21mental.html?_r=1&ref=mentalhealthanddisord
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
March is Social Work Month!
NASW-NC will be celebrating Social Work Month in March! This is a great time for social workers to spread the word about the social work profession and the positive impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. As such, the NASW has provided the 2011 Social Work Month Toolkit as a resource in planning and executing events in the month of March to highlight the profession in various ways, including press, social media, etc. Click on the title of this post to access the toolkit!
Aging Boot Camp
The North Carolina Association on Aging is pleased to announce another session of the popular Aging Boot Camp. This is an orientation program most appropriate for brand new employees in the aging network or others wanting a basic understanding of aging issues and services.
WHEN: Thursday & Friday, March 17th and 18th, 2011
The Boot Camp will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on March 17th and from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on March 18th. Lunches and refreshments are included in the registration fee. The Boot Camp will be held at:
WHERE: Garner Senior Center
205 East Garner Road
Garner, NC 27529
919-779-0122
For a link to driving directions:
http://www.tjaaa.org/providerpgs/wake/rfs_srcen.html
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NASW Mourns the Loss of Social Work Leader Gabe Zimmerman
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NASW MOURNS THE LOSS OF SOCIAL WORK LEADER GABE ZIMMERMAN Community Outreach Director for U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Killed in Arizona Tragedy WASHINGTON, D.C.—The nation is in shock about the senseless violence that took the life of one social worker and five others in Tucson, Arizona this weekend. News reports have confirmed that Gabe Zimmerman, 30, a much respected member of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ staff, was fatally wounded in a shooting attack at a regularly scheduled constituent outreach event. The three-term democratic Congresswoman and 13 others were also critically injured. NASW extends its thoughts and condolences to all the families affected by this national tragedy. Mr. Zimmerman was a professional social worker with a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University, and began working as a congressional aide for Representative Giffords in 2006. He was also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers Arizona Chapter. One of Mr. Zimmerman’s colleagues and NASW National Board member W. Mark Clark, MSW, ACSW said, “Gabe chose work in politics as his social work career path. He was passionate and skilled, and will be greatly missed by many people.” The incident in Tucson has ignited debate about safety issues for elected officials and their staffs. For social workers, Mr. Zimmerman’s death is a sobering reminder of growing safety concerns in a variety of work settings. “We often talk about how there are too few social workers working for elected officials in the district offices,” says Becky Fast, LMSW, MPA, member of the NASW National Board and director of constituent services for former Congressman Dennis Moore. “This whole situation has really hit close to home for me and many of my friends who have dealt with harassment and threats from constituents over the years.” Ms. Fast was involved in Representative Moore’s effort to enact social work safety legislation, called the Teri Zenner Social Worker Safety Act on the federal level. Several states— including California, New Jersey, Washington, Kentucky and Kansas—have adopted safety guidelines for social workers and caseworkers. In light of the Arizona tragedy, social workers, elected officials and many others whose positions require constant contact with the public will likely consider new measures to protect themselves on the job and the lives of constituents who seek their help. “We became social workers in an effort to help others. We chose this profession because we thought serving others was a cause worthy enough to devote our careers to it,” said NASW President James Kelly. “Social workers, like Gabe Zimmerman, put themselves in harm’s way in order to help clients, but his death reminds us how much more needs to be done to ensure their safety.” |
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
The American Red Cross is offering
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
Saturday January 22, 2011, from 9am-5pm
Where: Durham Office of the American Red Cross, 4737 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707.
Directions can be found at: http://centralnorthcarolina.redcross.org/directions.html
Registration: Licensed professionals may self-register for the course by visiting: http://classes.redcross.org
(Licensed mental health professionals include: social worker, counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse with psychiatric nursing experience and training beyond the normal rotation required for a RN.)
CEUs: Foundations of Disaster Mental Health has been approved by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) for 6.5 contact hours and 0.6 CEU.
(The course is 8 hours in length including breaks. Full attendance and active participation is required to earn a course certificate.)
Description:
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health is a basic course that consists of a series of presentations, interactive discussions and table group activities. The course introduces the key concepts, knowledge and skills required of anyone assigned to the Disaster Mental Health (DMH) activity for the Red Cross.
The course provides participates the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world examples that reflect challenges experienced by DMH workers, be it on a Disaster Action Team response to smaller local disasters or serving on a larger disaster relief operation.
The purpose of this basic level Red Cross training course is to prepare licensed mental health professionals to provide for and respond to the psychological needs of people across the continuum of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The course is available to employees and volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Cross partner agencies that have a current license to practice mental health and are interested in Red Cross disaster mental health preparedness, response and recovery activities at their local chapter and on national disaster relief operations.
Q: How does a student obtain CEUs after completing a Red Cross course or attending a presentation?
A: Students should complete the following steps after completing a Red Cross training course:
1. Visit www.RedCrossstore.org
2. Provide:
• Course name
• Course date(s)
• Location of course including address, city and zip code
• American Red Cross chapter name
• Instructor name
3. Select the CEU for the course and pay the fee.
4. Upon verification of course completion, the CEU certificate will be e-mailed to you within four weeks; hard copy upon request.
For more information, please contact Tim Bothe, Director of Emergency Services
American Red Cross - Central North Carolina Chapter
Serving: Durham County, Granville County, Orange County, Person County & Vance County
Tel (919) 489-6541 x. 333
Fax (919) 489-4026
Cell (919) 883-6128
Friday, January 7, 2011
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Monday January 10th, 2011 - Statewide Event held in Raleigh, NC
The two statewide coalitions to fight human trafficking - NC Stop Human Trafficking (community members) and NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking (direct service providers) - are planning a joint statewide event on January 10th to inform the public of the issue of human trafficking in NC and what is currently being done to fight it. We would love to have this event at NC State because it is a great central location and we have students in our coalition who attend NC State. The event will be on January 10th from 12-1pm. We need seating for about 100-150 people set up theater-style and about 5-6 table set up in the back of the room for literature and information.
The statewide event on January 10th that we are proposing to have at NC State between NC Stop Human Trafficking and and the NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking will be used to raise awareness and gain media coverage as a platform for the events happening the next day, on January 11th for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day events across the state.
There are local events happening in Greenville, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, NC State, and UNC.
Agenda:
12pm – Event opens, networking and sign in – White Ribbon handouts
12:15 – Detective Tommy Sluder will speak on the issue of human trafficking
12:25 – Reading of Governor Beverly Perdue’s proclamation designating January 2011 to be NC Human Trafficking Awareness Month
12:30 – Charity Magnuson, Director of NC Stop Human Trafficking, will speak about coalition mission, successes, and future plans for the organization
12:35 – Danielle Mitchell, Executive Committee of NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking, will speak about coalition mission, successes and future plans
12:40 – Recognition of events occurring across North Carolina during January 2011 to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month and introduction of booths
12:45 – Break for Q&A and networking
Media coverage is expected for this event.
Some info on NC Stop Human Trafficking:
http://ncstophumantrafficking.wordpress.com
NC Stop Human Trafficking is a statewide organization whose mission is to eradicate modern day slavery in all its forms. NC Stop Human Trafficking works to fight human trafficking on multiple levels following the P.A.V.E. model: Prevention, Advocacy, Victim Services and Education/awareness. NC Stop works through connecting and supporting individuals, community-based and faith-based organizations, non-governmental and governmental organizations. We focus on collaboration and communication between all groups to be efficient and effective. NC Stop strives to create opportunities for community members to become involved in the fight to stop human trafficking that are fulfilling and appropriate for each member.
Some info on NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking:
http://humantrafficking.unc.edu/nccaht.html
Established in 2004 as a collaboration between the NC Attorney General's Office, the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and several other organizations, the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking is a group of professionals from multiple fields (including law enforcement, legal services, social services, legislative, etc.) that works to raise awareness about Human Trafficking across North Carolina, to support efforts to prosecute traffickers, and to identify and assist victims. In 2007, the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking published a manual with more information about the taskforce and trafficking in general, which can be found here; a second edition is in process.
As the primary first responder, law enforcement is key to identifying victims. By working together, we will be better able to confront trafficking in North Carolina, arrest and prosecute traffickers, and identify victims and connect them to appropriate services.
In addition to working statewide, the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking is also involved in helping to develop local Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). These RRTs will be made up of direct services providers, law enforcement agencies, and faith based groups at the local level who will identify and assist victims of trafficking.
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STATEWIDE – Tuesday January 11th, 2011 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
NC Stop Human Trafficking is proud to partner with Tennessee’s Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking on an event happening across 24 -and counting - states.
In observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we join together with Abolitionist across the US to be the light in the darkness for victims of human trafficking. We vow to shed the light on this heinous crime and to be beacons of hope and healing to the estimated 27 million people who are in slavery in the world today.
Please join us in wearing something WHITE on January 11th, 2011 to signify this commitment. Please email ncstophumantrafficking@gmail.com with your name and city if you will be joining us on this day. Please also post your name, city and state on BOTH OUR facebook page and on the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking facebook page.
Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking Website:
http://www.ccaht.org/january11.html
White ribbons will be passed out at all NC Stop Human Trafficking sponsored events throughout January 2011. If you are attending an NC Stop Human Trafficking event this month, please wear something white and feel free to bring something with an anti-trafficking statement on it. We will take pictures as a group. If you are not comfortable taking pictures, you will certainly have the opportunity to opt out.
We want to get a clear “picture” of what North Carolina looks like in the anti-trafficking movement. Take a picture of yourself and anyone else commemorating with you wearing white. Somewhere in the picture have your name, city, state, and a statement against human trafficking. We are looking for individual and group pictures. Be creative and show why North Carolina is the best state united to fight against human trafficking!
Email pictures to ncstoppictures@gmail.com. We will post on our website and forward to the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
This is a great way to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Day, especially if you are unable to attend any events.Lets be the state with the most participants and pictures!
Further questions can be directed to ncstophumantrafficking@gmail.com
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 · Greenville, NC
11:00am - 2:00pm
Proclamation Against Human Trafficking Reading
Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall
200 West Fifth Street, Greenville, NC
Sponsored by Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking
Mayor Patricia Dunn will sign the Proclamation. Detective Chauncey Congleton (Human Trafficking Investigator for the Pitt County Sheriff's Office) has been invited to share information about Human Trafficking in the area. Please come and wear WHITE!!!
For more information contact Pam Strickland: encstophumantrafficking@gmail.com
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Tuesday January 11th, 2011 – Charlotte, NC – WEAR SOMETHING WHITE
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY
KICKS OFF WITH PRESS CONFERENCE AND EMERGENCY BAG SUPPLY DRIVE
Press Conference in Honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
600 East Fourth St., Charlotte, NC 28202
The press conference will be held in the building's lobby.
Charlotte, NC - On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Charlotte Human Trafficking Task Force will hold a local press conference to help raise community awareness regarding various issues related to human trafficking. The press conference will begin at 12:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
The task force will also sponsor an Emergency Bag Supply Drive designed to provide emergency supplies to victims of human trafficking in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The Emergency Bag Supply Drive will run from January 11, 2011 through January 31, 2011. A list of designated drop-off locations, as well as list of suggested items for donations can be found at www.charlottehumantrafficking.org.
The press conference is open to the public, as its goal is to raise community awareness for issues related to human trafficking. Printed information will be available as well as white ribbons to commemorate the day in coordination with 24 states in the US. Below is the list of speakers and topics:
John Price
Special Agent, FBI
Welcome, definition of human trafficking, tips on identifying victims of human trafficking, the Charlotte Human Trafficking Task Force's mission
Delbert Richburg
Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Local statistics on human trafficking in our area, ICE's role in investigation of human trafficking cases and their collaboration with other agencies
Rona Karacaova
Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.'s Battered Immigrant Project
Immigration assistance for victims of human trafficking
Karen Parker Thompson
Chief of Strategic Initiatives, United Family Services (UFS)
Housing for victims of human trafficking, fund drive for new shelter and how to make donations UFS' participation in the local human trafficking task force
Anne M. Tompkins
United States Attorney, Western District of North Carolina
The US Attorney's office's role in combating human trafficking and protecting victims, successes in human trafficking cases, introduction of Mayor
Mayor Anthony Foxx – waiting for confirmation
City of Charlotte
Issue proclamation in honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Charity Magnuson
Director, NC Stop Human Trafficking
NC Stop's role in combating human trafficking, information on emergency bag supply drive
Parking is available in the Davidson Street parking deck between Third and Fourth Streets. Hourly and daily rates do apply.
Emergency Bag Supply Drive
Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 - Monday, January 31, 2011
Please visit www.charlottehumantrafficking.org for a list of designated drop-off locations for the emergency bag supplies, as well as list of suggested items for donation.
The Charlotte Human Trafficking Task Force is a rapid response team created to help identify and assist victims of human trafficking, create a law enforcement system to investigate and prosecute these crimes, and deliver social, legal and immigration services to human trafficking victims in the Charlotte area. The task force's members include the following organizations: United States Attorney's Office- Western District of North Carolina; FBI; Department of Homeland Security- Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Legal Aid of North Carolina Inc.'s Battered Immigrant Project; Legal Services of Southern Piedmont's Immigrant Justice Project; No Longer Captive; Charlotte Community Health Clinic; United Family Services; Charlotte AHEC- Mental Health Education; Catholic Social Services; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department; Council for Children's Rights; The Salvation Army; World Relief NC; NC Stop Human Trafficking
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Tuesday January 11th, 2011 – Greensboro, NC – WEAR SOMETHING WHITE
Prayer Vigil for Human Trafficking
6:30 – 7:30pm
Westover Church, 505 Muirs Chapel Road, Greensboro, NC 27410
Come join Abolition Ministries in a prayer vigil on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day at Westover Church. For more information contact abolitionministry@yahoo.com.
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Tuesday January 11th, 2011 – Raleigh, NC
Soroptimist January Meeting
Tuesday January 11th, 2011
6:15 PM to 8:30 PM
Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church
4921 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609
January 11 was designated in 2007 as the National Day for Human Trafficking Awarness. Our monthly meeting that evening will showcase Hope House in Asheville. Donna Stewart, Development Director for Hope House, will share the story of this safe-haven for domestic minor victims of sex trafficking. Please come to learn more about this residence and its needs, and learn more about Soroptimist initiatives to create human trafficking awareness across the community.
We'll be collecting donated items that night for the shelter. Click on the link to see the list of items currently sought in order to address educational and other needs of the residents.
Following the speaker, we'll proceed with our monthly business meeting. Whether you're a member, an interested party, or someone considering joining Soroptimist, this will be a meeting not to miss.
For more information contact Soroptimist Raleigh at 919-386-9910
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Tuesday January 11th, 2011 –UNC Chapel Hill – WEAR SOMETHING WHITE
Demonstration on the Quad
Noon to 4pm
UNC student organization CAST – Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking – will be demonstrating on campus with a long paper chain signifying the people in slavery around the world. NC Stop Human Trafficking members will be joining them. Information will be passed out about the issue as well as flyers for the human trafficking documentary screening that evening at the School of Social Work. White ribbons will be passed out and pictures taken for the United As One campaign with 24 other states.
For more information, contact ncstophumantrafficking@gmail.com
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Tuesday January 11th, 2011 - UNC- Chapel Hill - WEAR SOMETHING WHITE
Human Trafficking: Slavery Still Exists
Documentary Screening: Cargo: Innocence Lost
Tuesday January 11th, 2011
UNC -Chapel Hill School of Social Work
Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building Auditorium
6:30pm - 8:30pm
cost: free
Event Summary:
A compelling documentary, Cargo: Innocence Lost, unveils the dark underworld of sex trafficking through compelling interviews with some of the country's top officials on the subject, victims' advocates and victims themselves, who were rescued in Texas. Award-winning director and writer, Michael Cory Davis (Svetlana's Journey, Hollywood Film Festival 2005 winner, best short), makes his second directorial foray into this must-see, thought-provoking film that is interwoven with a raw, intense narrative based on numerous true stories from victims of the sex trade.
Human Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. The US Department of Justice estimates 14,500 to 17,500 foreign born victims are trafficked into the United States each year while 300,000 American children are at risk for human trafficking here in the United States every year.
Information on the $32 Billion human trafficking industry will be presented as well as information on how to get involved.
Directions and parking instructions can be found here: http://ssw.unc.edu/about/directions
Presented by NC Stop Human Trafficking - http://ncstophumantrafficking.wordpress.com
For more information or to RSVP, contact: ncstophumantrafficking@gmail.com
Many thanks to the UNC School of Social Work for allowing us to screen the documentary.
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Thursday January 13th - NC State - Raleigh, NC:
Human Trafficking: Slavery Still Exists
Documentary Screening: Cargo: Innocence Lost
Thursday January 13th, 2011
NC State University, South Gallery - 2nd Floor Talley Student Center
6:30pm - 8:30pm
cost: free
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Monday January 17th, 2011- Charlotte, NC - WEAR SOMETHING WHITE
Human Trafficking: Slavery Still Exists
Documentary Screening: Cargo: Innocence Lost
Monday January 17th, 2011
Dharma Lounge
http://www.dharmacharlotte.com/index.html
1440 South Tryon Street, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28203
6:30pm - 8:30pm
cost: free
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