| Laurie Combs | Myrn Montalvo | Sharon Miller | Marilyn Lang |
| Glenn Metzler | Bette Peoples | John Herrmann | Kim Hall |
| John O’Connor | Michael Reber | Jim Bernard | Jody Chifulini |
| Scott Pino |
The committee read over the budget.
The recovery conference committee presented their budget and Draft of the brochure for the conference. WRCSP has agreed to pay for the continuing education credits for the conference.
Scholarship guidelines were gone over. Applications are soon to be released.
ELECTIONS RESULTS:
JOHN STRAYER WAS VOTED NEW CONSUMER CO CHAIR
| Pam Smith | Joseph Oches | N. Wehousie | Kristen Brahm |
| John Strayer | Michelle Gould | Bob Arvin | Mary Ann Bezuk |
| Nina Reese |
Questions were discussed regarding survey for law enforcement. They reviewed the cover letter to go with the survey. We discussed the type, frequency, and how intensive the training was, we discussed how long ago the last training was, we discussed how updated was the training, we wanted to make sure that it was not he same old information.
We hope to have the finalized and approved by the steering committee, to be sent out by MH Awareness month (May) during intervening time committee will research to obtain contact names and address’, to be sent to local CSP’s to assist them in their relationship with the local police system. Discussion took place in regard to the aspect of getting the results. We want to make sure our efforts have been worth while. All Local CSP’s need to provide SASE so that the police can and would be willing to send surveys back to them. We want local CSP’s to reply to CHAPS and CHAPS will bring back these results to our committee so that we can provide assistance to any local CSP who may ask for it.
| Julie Bogdan | Cylinda Coulson | Davina Sauers | Kim Smith |
| Cindy Pilewski | Bonnie Chapman | Brandon Eberhart | L Kuvinka |
| Eric Dougherty | Lynne F | Don Nicoll | Bob Rock |
| Shawn W |
Crawford County Peer to Peer is going good. Beaver County Peer to Peer is going ok. Crawford County is having CSP and getting the information from WRCSP. Westmoreland started a spirituality group and the peer to peer is going ok, they have someone coming in to do Peer to Peer. Mercer County peer to peer is going well and my friends place, using Seed grants to do newsletter.
WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Mercer county had people go take the training they went to NAMI and did the eight week program, they also have two certified peer specialist. Beaver County is still working on the Warmline. Julie from Beaver took the train the trainer. It was Don Nicoll’s first time at WRCSP He is a social worker from Westmoreland County in Greensburg, he stated that they go to Steeler games and their peer to peer appears more informal than they planned, there is also a psych rehab in Greenburg. Torrance has AA, more informal they have karaoke to get to know each other, pool swimming, they also have a suit yourself program, where people donate clothing to the first link at Torrance.
| Diane Meyers | Joyce Barger | Debbie Lengyel | Joanne Slappo |
| Jane Ann Bielecki | Mary Ann Harrop | Frank Waltz |
The group is working on the conference for June 8, 2007, “Recovery- The road we travel.” The Steering committee approved the budget and agreed to pay for the credits. The plan is to have the final flier for the April WRCSP meeting.
| Antonia Hoak | Sally Burns | Cindy Glass | Ruth Litwiler |
| Kathryn Ciccone | Rod Agras | Lorraine Miles | Amy Harr |
| Mike Karl | Cindy Moore | Donna Jackson | Sharon Cunningham |
| Richard Romig | Annette Ritenour |
Sally gave a short history of Psych-Rehab to the new members. Westmoreland County joined in and gave some examples of what they offer to the consumers. Mercer County stated that they are looking to move from a site based to a psych rehab. Westmoreland stated that they allow there consumers to choose what group they want to join. Generally the different styles of psych rehab were covered and what can be offered to the consumers. Ideas were exchanged on how we can get people to take a more active role in Psych rehab. More support to get the families more involved. The group also talked about marketability to get the word out to the different agencies and places that consumers live.
| Wendy Keefer | Steve Crooks | Veronica Vernile | John Baron |
| Terry Peldy | Linda Stevens | Marilyn Lang | Jessica Nace |
| John Dornauer | Leslie Brown | Elaine Hanson | Annette Bernard |
Introductions were made. The group discussed western region Drop In Center coalition meeting and schedule of listed meetings. March 27th at Kittanning DIC will host the next meeting. W.R.D.I.C. coalition is doing a presentation at PMHCA conference. We are gathering information. We are discussing ways we promote a stigma free environment at our Drop In Centers, As well as, how to promote recovery in our Drop In Centers whether it be having speakers including W.R.A.P trainers and spirituality groups. We discussed what does peer support mean to us, Understanding, empathy, and an inner connection to support each other. Recreational activities in Drop In Center’s were discussed, including movies, theater, music, bowling, state parks, arts, and crafts. Other discussions included: how Drop In centers promote education, consumer awareness, where to go for support, consumer advocacy. Goals of the committee were discussed. Better communication between Drop in centers, networking, and the recovery model, to become more social, and less structured. Everyone was asked to think about goals for this group and bring the ideas with them in May.
Scott Pino spoke to the group about the following:
As Pennsylvania continues the transformation of the public mental health system to one that reflects less reliance on state psychiatric hospitals, it is NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania’s intent to ensure that all individuals have continuous access to a full continuum of both evidence based behavioral health treatment and supports, as well as meaningful opportunities for integration into their chosen community. With this in mind we have developed a State Hospital Downsizing/Closure Position Brief. This position brief can be a useful tool for advocates in community mental health service area planning activities.
The position brief is available on the homepage of our website: www.namiswpa.org and is included in the spring edition of NAMI Southwestern PA’s newsletter,"The Voice".
This meeting will be an educational meeting!
Lunch will be served see you there!