NAMI National Friday Facts **May 5, 2006**

NAMI's Annual Convention:  Information, Programs, and Election News
      1.   There's Still Time to Register for NAMI's Annual Convention!
      2.   Eliminating Disparities: Multicultural Strategic Summit
      3.   NAMI Leadership Institute at Convention
      4.   Airline discounts available for NAMI Convention Attendees
      5.   NAMI 2006 Elections

Grant and Funding Opportunities
      6.   Justice Department Seeks Applications for Criminal Justice/Mental Health Grants!

NAMI Education and Program Information
      7.   NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center Seeks Information on Suicide Programs
      8.   2007 NAMIWalks Applications Now Available
      9.   Mental Illness Awareness Week October 1–7, 2006: Building Community, Taking Action
      10. Second Annual CIT Conference Call for Presentations!
      11. Seeking Nominations for the Family-to-Family Hall of Fame

Multicultural Outreach
      12. Avanzamos!

Beyond NAMI
      13. Heroes in the Fight Recognition Program

Deadlines and Dates to Remember

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NAMI's Annual Convention Information, Programs, and Election News

1.  There's Still Time to Register for NAMI's Annual Convention!


Due to an unavoidable production delay, the spring issue of the Advocate will not arrive in time to allow members to utilize the special Convention registration and voting information contained in the issue.

If you've already registered to attend NAMI's Convention, we look forward to seeing you in our nation's capital this June.  If you wish to attend the NAMI Annual Convention taking place in Washington, D.C. June 28 - July 2, 2006 and haven't registered yet, there is still time!   Simply visit the NAMI Web site to download a paper registration form or register online by clicking here.  It's easy, fast, and secure.

To receive the special room rates at the participating hotels, you must reserve your room by May 27.   Rooms are filling up quickly - don't miss out on these special rates.   Convention pre-registration ends May 30.

Additional details on registration, the convention program, hotel and Washington, D.C., travel information can be found on the NAMI Web site by clicking here.


2.  Eliminating Disparities: Multicultural Strategic Summit

NAMI's Multicultural Action Center (MAC) will host the Eliminating Disparities: Multicultural Strategic Summit on June 28 to July 2 as part of NAMI's Annual Convention.  The Summit will  bring together multicultural mental health leaders from across the nation to address the lack of access to care and the disparities in treatment faced by multicultural communities. The Summit will feature policy and research briefings, plenary sessions and program tracks to address issues specific to African American, American Indian, Asian American and Latino/Hispanic communities.  Nationally recognized consumer and family advocates, researchers, policymakers and providers will work together to offer a vision for change.  For more information contact us at MACenter@... or visit www.nami.org/summit.

3.  NAMI Leadership Institute at Convention

The NAMI Leadership Institute offers leadership and organizational development opportunities to assist NAMI state organizations and local affiliates meet the NAMI mission.  The Leadership Institute builds the capacity or our organization by enhancing the ability of our leaders to manage, govern, teach and advocate.  This year's Convention Leadership Institute consists of three groups of workshops on Wednesday afternoon, June 28.  A detailed program for the Leadership Institute is available at the Leadership Institute Information table.


4.  Airline Discounts Available for NAMI Convention Attendees

We have arranged discounts on two airlines, UNITED AIRLINES and AMERICAN AIRLINES, for attendees for the NAMI National Convention in Washington, DC, June 26-July 2, 2006.

We have arranged the following discount on UNITED AIRLINES:   Book your ticket at least 30 days in advance and receive 7% off the lowest fare.  Simply call the United Airlines Meeting Desk at 1-800-521-4041 and refer to Meeting ID Number 538TO.  Either you or your travel agent can make this reservation.  (To book the United discount fares you must call the Meeting Desk.  These special fares are not available on-line.)

We have also arranged the following discount on AMERICAN AIRLINES:

a)  5% discount off Coach fares.
b)  After the ticket is purchased, but at least 48 hours prior to outbound flight departure date, the name may be changed for a service fee. (This is a great new benefit that AA is offering to our meeting attendees.)

To make your reservations on American, please call American Airlines Meeting Services at 1-800-433-1790 and provide the discount code A5666BG.  If you prefer to make your arrangements on-line, you may review fare and schedule information and make reservations using the 5 percent discount at American Airlines web site:   www.AA.com.


5.  NAMI 2006 Elections

Congratulations to our 2006 NAMI National Board candidates!  The following NAMI leaders have been nominated for the five slots up for election on the National Board of Directors: 

Don Muller (nominated by NAMI Utah)
Dave Lushbaugh (nominated by NAMI Georgia)
Anand Pandya (nominated by NAMI New York State)
Fred Frese (nominated by NAMI Summit County, Ohio)
Eileen Silber (nominated by NAMI North Carolina)
Nancy Carter (nominated by NAMI California)
Suzanne Clifford (nominated by NAMI Indiana)
Marty Raaymakers (nominated by NAMI Michigan)

For information about the election, proposed bylaws changes and the Board candidates (including their letters of nomination, photographs, and answers to five questions on the most pressing issues facing NAMI), visit www.nami.org/voting.


Grant and Funding Opportunities

6.  Justice Department Seeks Applications for Criminal Justice/Mental Health Grants!

The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has put out an announcement requesting applications for grants authorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004.   These grants, which are available to state, local and tribal governments, may be used for a variety of purposes, including pre- and post-booking jail diversion, transitional and reentry services, enhanced treatment and services for offenders with mental illnesses, and training of criminal justice and mental health personnel.   Proposed projects must be jointly managed by a mental health and criminal justice agency and must demonstrate collaboration among a variety of key stakeholders, including consumers and family members.   Three types of grants will be provided – planning grants, planning and implementation grants, and implementation and expansion grants.   The deadline for applying for these grants is June 2, 2006. For more information, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/06MIOsol.pdf.   Or, contact Robert Hendricks, BJA policy advisor, at 202-305-1909 or robert.hendricks@....  


NAMI Education and Program Information

7.   NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center Seeks Information on Suicide Programs

NAMI remains deeply concerned with the rate of youth and young adult suicide (3^rd leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds, with 90% having a diagnosable mental illness).   NAMI is looking at existing suicide prevention programs and initiatives at the state and local levels to determine where there might be gaps and opportunities for NAMI to make a contribution to help address this crisis.

We would greatly appreciate if you would please email Darcy Gruttadaro (darcy@...) with the following information (and would appreciate you sharing this request with your networks):

-  Identify the suicide prevention programs and initiatives in your community and state that target adolescents and young adults (title and brief description of the program).
-  Who is leading the program/initiatives (advocates, state or local officials, schools, others)?
-  What age group is the program/initiative targeting (adolescents, young adults, students in certain grade levels)?
-  How long has the program/initiative been in existence and what is the anticipated duration?
-  Is there a web site that we can visit to learn more about the program/initiative?

Thank you for responding to this request and for all that you do for children and families.


8.  2007 NAMIWalks Applications Now Available

NAMI affiliates interested in participating in the NAMIWalks Program for the first time may request an application and information Monday, May 1.  If you are interested in holding a walk fund raising event in either the spring or fall of 2007, please contact wkarmol@... for NAMIWalks 2007 materials.

9.  Mental Illness Awareness Week October 1–7, 2006

Mental Illness Awareness Week for 2006 is October 1-7, with the theme Building Community, Taking Action.  Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day is on October 5.  Watch Friday Facts for more information on materials, telephone conferences and workshops at Convention that will make your activities and programs for both events a success.  NAMI plans on having technical assistance materials and order forms for brochures, posters, and stickers to all affiliates by the end of May.


10.   Second Annual CIT Conference Call for Presentations!

We are pleased to announce a Call for Presentations for The Second Annual CIT Conference! The Second Annual CIT Conference will be held this year in Orlando, Florida.  For more detailed information, contact Michele Saunders at Michele.fpic@... or Bonnie Sultan at Bonnies@.... Mark your calendars for September 25, 26, 27! Information on the program, registration and accommodation will be released in the near future at the following website: http://cit.fmhi.usf.edu.

This national conference is designed to highlight effective community collaborations that are responding to the needs of those with mental illnesses including co-occurring substance use disorders. General sessions and workshops will address the development, implementation, advancement, and effectiveness of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT). Other innovative programs for the diversion of individuals with a mental illness from the criminal justice system will be included. The Conference will be hosted by the Florida CIT Coalition, the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Orange County (Florida) Sheriff's Office, Florida Partners in Crisis, Florida judges, and the National and State Alliance on Mental Illness.


11.  Seeking Nominations for the Family-to-Family Hall of Fame

In celebration of the 4^th annual F2F Hall of Fame, it's time to nominate your Family-to-Family teachers who have taught 10 or more F2F classes.  Nominees will be recognized at the NAMI convention in Washington, D.C. during the NAMI Education, Training, and Peer Support Center reception on Friday, June 30, with a special certificate and have their names included in the national F2F Hall of Fame.  We are also seeking nominations for F2F trainers who have trained 10 or more teacher training sessions.  Nominations must be sent to Lynne@... no later than May 31.  Have any of the 10+ teachers reached 20 or more classes?  If so, let us know about them.


Multicultural Outreach

12.  Avanzamos!

Subscribe to Avanzamos!, NAMI's new Spanish language newsletter. This quarterly magazine features news from NAMI states and affiliates, research and policy updates specific to Latino issues, educational resources, personals stories and more. Also makes a great outreach tool to your local Latino community.  The first issue has been very well received; over 4000 copies have been distributed nationwide.  Order up to 10 hardcopies for free at www.nami.org/store (a shipping and handling fee will be charged for orders greater than 10 copies), or sign up for the electronic version at www.nami.org/subscribe.


Deadlines and Dates to Remember

- May 30:  Convention pre-registration ends.

- May 31:  F2F Hall of Fame Nominations due to Lynne@....

- June 28-July 2, 2006:  NAMI's 2006 Annual Convention at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

- June 28-July 22:  NAMI's Multicultural Action Center (MAC) will host the Eliminating Disparities: Multicultural Strategic Summit as part of NAMI's 2006 Convention.

- September 25-27:  Second Annual CIT Conference.  For information e-mail bonnies@....

- October 1-7:  Mental Illness Awareness Week: Building Communities, Taking Action.

- October 5:  Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day  

- November 10-12:  NAMI's 2006 Fall Leadership Conference, St. Louis, MO.

NAMI Friday Facts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a service to NAMI members, leaders and staff. With more than 1,100 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online at www.nami.org/donate.