Women's Advocacy Day!

Women's Advocacy Day has been announced for April 1, 2009. For more information please see the NC Women's United website below:

 http://www.ncwu.org.

Op- Ed from the News and Observer

Point of View:
Better mental health care, better N.C. economy

John H. Gilmore

CHAPEL HILL - Everyone has a hand out in anticipation of receiving some of
the massive economic stimulus package expected from President Barack Obama's
administration. Bankers, automobile makers, road and bridge builders,
mortgage holders, small business owners and green energy suppliers are all
in line.

I would propose another, perhaps unusual addition to the list of things that
will stimulate the economy in North Carolina -- good mental health.

There has been much debate about how to fix our state's devastated mental
health system. Using the economic stimulus package to build a better mental
health system would actually go a long way toward improving the economic
future of North Carolina.

A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that in 2002
alone, serious mental illness cost the United States $193 billion in lost
earnings -- that's about 25 percent of the $750 billion economic stimulus
package being proposed by Obama.

Lost earnings are just the tip of the economic iceberg of mental illness.
The National Institute of Mental Health has estimated the total annual
economic cost of mental illness in the United States to be about $317
billion, when the additive costs of psychiatric care and disability benefits
are considered. This does not include the costs of prison and jails, in
which an estimated 16 percent to 22 percent of inmates have mental
illnesses. It also does not include the higher costs of medical care and
early mortality associated with mental illness.

While mental illness accounts for more days of disability than all physical
illnesses combined, North Carolina invests much less in its mental health
system than other states; we rank 43rd in the nation in per capita spending
on the treatment of mental illness.

A recent N.C. Institute of Medicine report found that fewer than 1 in 10
residents who abuse alcohol or other substances get treatment, even though
substance use costs North Carolina's economy more than $12 billion a year.

We should spend a portion of the stimulus package to rebuild North
Carolina's crumbling mental health infrastructure. Stable, publicly run
safety-net mental health clinics or clinical homes should be established in
every community and provide modern treatments that are scientifically based
and easy to access.

These safety-net clinics, needed before, are even more critical now that the
faltering economy and state budget cuts will further disintegrate the
already fragmented privatized public mental health system. Investment in a
statewide mental health electronic medical records system would ultimately
reduce costs and improve the quality of care.

All money should be invested wisely, with a solid business plan based on
accountability, reduced paperwork and administrative costs and with a clear
understanding between the state and local communities about who is
responsible for what.

The Government Office for Science in London has recently suggested that to
prosper economically amid the demands and pressures of complex and rapidly
changing times, countries must maximize their "mental wealth." A critical
part of the "mental capital" that a country or a state uses to build a
better financial future is good mental health.

A decent mental health system that addresses the basic needs of the
residents of North Carolina will pay for itself in reduced disability,
improved earning potential and lower costs for medical care and
incarceration. A decent mental health system will stimulate our economy by
helping us all apply our mental capital to the challenges that lie ahead in
these uncertain times.

(John H. Gilmore, M.D., is Thad and Alice Eure distinguished professor of
psychiatry at UNC-Chapel Hill and director of the UNC Center for Community
Mental Health.) 

The Director of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women

From the Director of U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), Cindy Dyer: This month marks the end of my tenure serving you as Director of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It has been an incredible honor to lead this office in raising awareness and providing national leadership on issues related to stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence.

Cindy has done much progress with her position as director. Last summer Cindy convened a roundtable of experts from around the country to explore the intersection of custody and domestic violence. Cindy directed the office to develop and explore ways to equip communities to assist victims with custody disputes and prevent the negative consequences of giving custody to abusers. OVW will continue to provide updates on this initiative and policies as they are implemented.

Last April Cindy vowed to renew OVW's commitment to ending sexual violence. As a result, OVW will launch the Sexual Assault Services Program this spring. OVW will launch a Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative in partnership with the National Institute of Justice , the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault <http://www.iowacasa.org> , and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center <http://www.nsvrc.org> to enhance services for victims of sexual assault through dual domestic violence/sexual assault programs. This Initiative will provide a strong foundational response and spur promising practices to end sexual violence.

OVW presented at the International Family Justice Center Conference in England, showcased the work of our field partners at the UN Crime Commission in a forum of over 40 countries, and brought our experiences fighting violence against women to women's organizations in Africa. We created remarkable connections across borders and oceans and look forward to the day when women can live in a world free of violence.

Deputy Director Catherine Pierce, a 15-year OVW veteran, will assume leadership responsibilities.

Office on Violence Against Women
800 K Street NW, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20530
Phone (202) 307-6026 * Fax (202) 305-2589
www.ovw.usdoj.gov

Piedmont Consortium Weekly Update

REMINDER:  Ryan White Part B Providers
    meeting is on Friday, January 23, 2009, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm at the
    Parker Lincoln
    Building in
    Raleigh, Room 1A224. 
The North Carolina Community AIDS Fund is pleased to
    release our inaugural request for proposals. Through this first RFP, the
    Fund will award 4-6 contracts averaging $65,000 for prevention and care
    services. There will be a series of optional introductory meetings to
    discuss the application and answer questions: Greenville  (January
26th),
    Winston Salem ( January 28th ),
    Ashville  (January 30th), Conference
    Call  (February 2nd ).  Further details of
    these meetings are included in the RFP. Applications are due February 23, 2009 by 5pm,
    notification of awards will be made by April 1, 2009 for a May 1 start.
    The program year will run from May 1, 2009 through October 31,
    2010.  Any questions about the NC Community AIDS Fund and the
    RFP, questions should be directed to Beth.Stringfield@duke.edu.  (2
    attachments) 
SAVE THE DATE:  Women of
    Color and HIV: 2nd Annual Community Forum.  The event will be held on
    Friday, March 6,
    2009 from 8:30am - 2:30pm at the Durham
    Marriott.  Registration is now open!!  To register and get more
    information go to http://docme.mc.duke.edu/women-hiv.html.
As a reminder please be sure you are
    using the most current ADAP forms located on the State website http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/hiv/adap2.html. If a new form
    is not used the application will be pended and you will be asked to
    transfer the information onto a new application form.  These are available
    in both a Word (savable) and PDF format.  It is preferred that you
    complete the form by typing in the information, not writing it.  Some
    additional tips for completing the ADAP application is attached. (1
    attachment)
JOB OPENING: for a
    Clinical Social Worker/Substance Abuse Counselor at the Early Intervention
    Clinic at Lincoln Community Health Center.  This position is funded
    by SAMHSA through HIP as part of the Carolina Alcohol and Drug Expansion
    Team (CADET) program, which is administered by HIP.  The purpose of
    this program is to bring substance abuse and other mental health services
    to people living with HIV in this area by placing clinical social
    workers/substance abuse providers in HIV treatment clinics.  Although
    the position is hired through LCHC, the SA counselor will be part of a
    team of CADET providers whose work will be carried out largely at the EI
    Clinic.  The job opening is posted at http://www.lincolnchc.org/jobpostings.html.

    For more information, contact Sandra Gormez at (919) 560-7688 or by email
    at gomez016@lincolnchc.org.
JOB OPENING: at the
    Health Inequalities Program for the position of Senior Research Aide,
    which is a full-time Duke position that that is basically an interviewer
    job. They are looking
    for someone with good communication skills and the ability to work well as
    a team member, a real ability to follow instructions and attend to details
    but at the same time is a self starter who can take initiative.  This
    particular position would be very suitable for someone interested in
    issues of mental health, substance abuse, and HIV.  The job is posted
    on the Duke HR website and the requisition number is 400273015.
    The web address is: https://www.hr.duke.edu/secure/jobs/external.html
Register today for the HIV 201: The
    Basics and Clinical Aspects training scheduled for February 19 from
    9:00am - 4:30pm. This training entail group activities and in-depth
    discussion on the HIV disease, it’s life cycle, trends and more.
    NCSAPCB and ACU continuing education units are available.  See
    attached flier for more information (1 attachment)

MORE AMHC NEWS

AMHC Troubles
The board of directors of a cash-strapped regional mental health agency in northeastern North Carolina has asked the state to take over administration of the agency. John Morrison, an attorney for the board of the Albemarle Mental Health Center, said the state has agreed to the request and will appoint a caretaker director by Tuesday. After a recent audit revealed that the center was out of money, the board fired its longtime director Charles Franklin. On Jan. 2, it announced that it was divesting services for mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare Hyde, Martin, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Tyrrell and Washington counties. Morrison said Thursday that the board was concerned about the impact on consumers in the 10-county area and believed it needed the state's help to deal with the challenges. The 15-member panel also asked the state to conduct a forensic accounting of the center, an evaluation of staff and a staff salary comparison. (THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 1/15/09).

Good News on Health Choice Program

Hello friends,
According to a January 16th article in The News & Observer,North Carolina could provide health insurance to nearly half the 296,000 children in the state who lack coverage under legislation that's on the fast track in Washington.

The Children's Health Insurance Program, which the U.S. House of Representatives broadened Wednesday, provides health care to children whose families make too much money to qualify for Medicaid insurance. If the Senate goes along as projected, President-elect Obama could sign the bill soon after taking office Tuesday. The measure includes an extra $32.3 billion to cover 4.1 million more American children who don't have health insurance.
To find out more please visit:
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1369450.html

Opportunity to Support Comprehensive Sex Education in NC

Friends,
> Starting this month, NARAL Pro-Choice NC and Planned
> Parenthood of NC will begin volunteer phone banks to
> identify supporters of comprehensive sex education. We will
> be calling to ask each supporter for their email address, if
> they are willing to contact their legislator by phone and/or
> meet with them in person, and if they are interested in
> becoming more involved with HYNC.
> In past years, it has been clear that legislators MUST see
> demonstrated support of their constituents for comprehensive
> sex ed before they will support it. That's where we come in!
> The legislative session starts THIS MONTH! Don't miss out on
> your chance to play an important role in restoring
> lifesaving sex education to North Carolina's schools!
> Here are your chances to volunteer-- please note all phone
> banks are from 6:00-8:30pm and dinner is always provided!

> Asheville- RSVP to Genevieve at
> genevieve.delucchi@pphsinc.org
> Monday, February 23
> Chapel Hill- RSVP to Alison at alison.kiser@ppcentralnc.org
> Tuesday, January 27
> Thursday, January 29
> Charlotte- RSVP to Genevieve at
> genevieve.delucchi@pphsinc.org or Deann@ProChoiceNC.org
> Tuesday, January 27
> Wednesday, February 18
> Wednesday, February 25
> Wednesday, March 18
> Wednesday, April 15
> Fayetteville- RSVP to Jessica at
> jessica.ackley@ppcentralnc.org
> Tuesday, February 17
> Thursday, February 19
> Wednesday, February 24
> Greensboro- RSVP to Genevieve at
> genevieve.delucchi@pphsinc.org
> Wednesday, February 24
>
> Join NARAL Pro-Choice NC Today!
> <https://id215.chi.us.securedata.net/~prochoicenc/support/do
> nate.shtml>