Please forward to interested individuals....

Early registration must be submitted by May 15, 2004.

Alabama Mental Health Interpreter Training (MHIT)
Interpreting in Mental Health Settings

August 12-14 and 19-21, 2004

MHIT Faculty includes Bob Pollard, Robyn Dean, Roger Williams, and Steve
Hamerdinger, et.al.

This workshop is designed to provide a sound basis for sign language
interpreters to work effectively in mental health settings as part of a
professional team. It includes lectures, demonstrations, exercises,
evaluation and discussion to develop knowledge, skills and resources to
ensure that the services provided are linguistically and culturally
appropriate.

The training locations include the Department of Mental Health Central
Office, Greil Psychiatric Hospital, Montgomery Area Mental Health
Authority (Montgomery, Alabama), Bryce State Hospital, Taylor Hardin
Secure Medical Facility, (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) and Jefferson-Blount-St.
Clair Mental Health Center (Birmingham, Alabama).

TOPICS
The course will include introductions to the following:
-Medical systems and culture
-Mental Health systems and culture
-Sources of communication breakdown associated with mental illness and
treatment
-Interpreters' roles, tools and resources
-Severe Language Dysfluency
-Visual Gestural Communication
-Community Mental Health Services
-Vicarious Trauma
-Substance Abuse
-Psychiatric Emergencies


COSTS:
For individuals who reside and/or work in Alabama OR HOLD AN ALABAMA
LICENSE OR PERMIT (see requirements and costs for obtaining Alabama
Licensure www.albit.state.al.us) the tuition cost, including conference
materials, is free. There is a charge for out of state individuals who
don't work in Alabama or hold licensure in Alabama - $150 for 6 full
days of training.

Transportation, lodging and meals are at the expense of the
participants.

CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS:
You do not have to be RID or NAD 4/5 certified to take the training. It
is competetively based, however which could impact an individual's
acceptance into the program. Individuals who are Deaf, especially those
working in the Mental Health field or who work as CDI's are encouraged
to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates for the Mental Health Interpreter Training (MHIT) are
selected based on a screening process that ranks the suitability of
registrants for available vacancies based on the following categories;
Formal education, Interpreting certification or licensure, Interpreting
experience, Involvement in the mental health community and language
community Continuing education and residency. This training meets the
pre-practicum training requirements of interpreters working towards
certification as a Qualified Mental Health Interpreter according to
Alabama State Code 580-3-24.


*Enrollment is limited.

Office of Deaf Services

Among the one in five Alabamians who will need mental health services in
their lifetimes, are more than 39,000 people who are deaf or hard of
hearing. Because deafness or hearing loss pose their own challenges in
coping with risk factors and accessing and receiving treatment
services, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
has established an Office of Deaf Services to break down the barriers
that inhibit the department in its mission to enable Alabamians to live
in recovery.


conducted by the
Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
Office of Deaf Services
Steve Hamerdinger, Director

For more information on the
Alabama Mental Health Interpreting Training Project
or to request an Application, contact:

Charlene J. Crump, MHI Coordinator
Office of Deaf Services
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, AL 36130
334.353.4703 Voice/TTY
ccrump@...

Application may also be downloaded from the "MHIT 04" folder at
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ALMHI/files/



CUT AND PASTE COPY OF THE APPLICATION:

Candidates for the Alabama Mental Health Interpreter Training (MHIT) are
selected based on a screening process that ranks the suitability of
registrants for available vacancies based on the following categories.
Return application with documentation covering the following points:

1 FORMAL EDUCATION, including any professional training or degrees
you have received;

2 INTERPRETING CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSURE;

3 INTERPRETING EXPERIENCE indicating whether full or part time
(part time is less than 30 hours of regular employment; full time
freelance is any month of billing more than 96 hours of interpreting).
You may include pro bono, practicum and volunteer work but indicate as
such;

4 INVOLVEMENT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY & LANGUAGE COMMUNITY
including membership in professional Interpreting organizations,
Deaf-related organizations or Mental Health organizations, as well as
leadership roles in relation to these organizations.

5 CONTINUING EDUCATION including workshops, conferences and
seminars you have attended within the past twelve months relating to
Interpreting Mental Health (include dates and sponsors);

6 EVIDENCE OF RESIDENCY indicating Alabama residency or frequency
of work experience within the state of Alabama.

You are allowed to submit the information in alternative formats. Early
registration must be submitted by May 15, 2004. Deadline for receipt of
application materials is July 10, 2004. Selected Participants who
reside or work within the state of Alabama may attend at no cost. Cost
for out of state participants is $150* see note above.

Forward completed application to:

Charlene J. Crump, MHI Coordinator
Office of Deaf Services
P.O Box 301410, Montgomery, AL 36130
Telephone: 334-353-4703 V/TTY w Fax: 334-242-3025
Email: CCRUMP@...



Applicant Cover Sheet
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY: STATE:
ZIP:
TELEPHONE: VOICE / TTY FAX:
PAGER: MOBILE PHONE:
E-MAIL:

By signing below, I understand that in order to be recognized as a
Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI) by the Alabama Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation according to Alabama Code CHAPTER
580-3-24, individuals must be licensed as interpreters in Alabama or
otherwise eligible to work at an equivalent level, and must complete the
following requirements; Alabama Mental Health Interpreter Training
(MHIT), forty hours of clinical practicum, and a comprehensive
examination. Individuals who are not licensed (or otherwise eligible
to work at an equivalent level) may participate in the MHIT curriculum,
but are not eligible to participate in the practicum or examination
process.

Signature Date

Will you require ADA-mandated accommodation? (Specify accommodation
needed)