30. January 2012 by admin.

In the Sunday, January 29, 2010 Charlotte Sun newspaper that ran an article by Sun Correspondent NEIL HUGHES entitled: “Plan for $2B ($2,000,000,000.00) in Medicaid cuts concerns hospitals“.

“Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to slash about $2 billion from the state’s Medicaid funding has caused concern among some health care officials in Southwest Florida, who fear it will greatly reduce hospitals’ abilities to help the poor. The proposed cuts from Scott amount to about 10 percent of Florida’s Medicaid fund, which provides health care to low-income people, and would take effect in the 2013 budget.“

Reading over the article I couldn’t help but think how this $2 billion cut is going to affect my peers and I living with mental disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. I’m all for getting rid of Medicaid fraud but these cuts seen like they’re going to just make it harder to get well needed services.

I agree that there are many that abuse the system and just go to the ER when they get the sniffles or for any little small ailment… That runs up the Medicaid bill substantially in that is where a lot of education needs to be focused on. The article said that the governor will allocate “a portion of that money toward education“. It seems to me that the education should have been done all along. Still in the last few years we have seen in the state of Florida hundreds of thousands of dollars trimmed from services for mentally ill individuals. I wonder what are crime rate is? Did you know Florida or his 49th in the state for spending for mental illness programs and mental health services? Yet, it will surprise you that Florida ranks 12th in the penal system for spending for mental health services and penitentiaries in jails. Then scenario is if you want good mental health services you need to rob a bank. No do not rob a bank! That is a figurative term, do not rob a bank just to get medical services, do not do anything that would be considered fraudulent to get Medicaid to pay for.

now not quite sure what nail was saying in the article and when he said “the proposed cuts from Scott amount to about 10% of slaughters Medicaid fraud”. Does that mean that each year there is $20 billion in Medicaid fraud each year? Since, 10% of 20 billion would equal 2 billion then the article would make a lot more sense. Heck if I could cut down on fraud then I would do what I could I would think any American would.

But who gets hurt in the end here? The ECO Gwen McKenzie of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital estimates that they treat 90% of Sarasota’s Medicaid cases… I.e. 90% of the poor. She says “we are deeply concerned that these devastating cuts will jeopardize our ability to care for the region’s most vulnerable patients“.

In the end the cuts will be done and the poor will stay poor and the rich will get rich, it has been this way since the beginning why would it change now?

This is why it is so important for managed care, self-care, recovery support groups of recovery and resiliency programs for mental health issues.  Support groups when well attended will help not only maintain compliancy but at the same time improve your recovery.  Although I hate the word compliancy I need to use it to indicate improvement. We are living in a time of dire Straits high stress with serious mentally ill people not getting the services they need. We are in fact being left out to the wolves, but fear not if we work together share our experiences and build our one voice we can be heard one day but until then when I have to look out for each other.

Posted in Medicaid, mental health advocates | Print | No Comments »

5. August 2011 by admin.

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Can Equine Therapy Be Used For Weight Loss?

What’s equine therapy or horse therapy all about? Equine Therapy is a therapy that uses the horse as a therapeutic tool. Equine Therapy works on three different levels:

Hypotherapy: Works with people who have neuromotor disorders and going out to get study neurological, traumatic, degenerative or genetic origins
Therapeutic riding: This is the area that brings in psychiatry, psychology and pedagogy, as well as the promotion kinesis. Therapeutic riding treats psycho dysfunction, sensomotor and sociomotor problems that have psychological, psychiatric or educational bases.
Riding as a sport: People, who are gaining mastery of their body and can control the horse, can start working in this area.

Currently there still may be some negative projections on the success and validity of equine therapy. Skeptics may feel “riding a horse is not therapy” or “all animals do is eat, then don’t give therapy”. Projections like these may sound to be based and some more than stigmatic beliefs, but the truth is that not. We have come to a point in our society that accepts many different types of therapy, from art therapy to cloud therapy and everything in between. Studies have proven them to work to different degrees for the individual. Yes there is hope in recent studies and research supporting the use of horses as a therapeutic modality. But it’s a new therapy and no doubt the fact not everyone has access to a majestic stallion or jackass can limit the conceptual process but accepted as a therapy.
What is unique about equine therapy is that horses, besides the fact that you are dealing with the horse as the main tool, is that the horse in equine therapy only plays the part of a horse not a therapist. There is no need to “break the spirit” or being a involved in “natural horsemanship”. Horse doesn’t receive amy other training other than being love and well taken care.

The power of equine therapy is the bond we humans can develop with such a majestic creatures. Being around them can center our lives to focus in on their needs. Yes there will still be a need for a Treatment Plan in Equine Therapy especially in dealing with the physicality of the therapy. So yes using equine therapy can be beneficial with weight loss, eating disorders, drug addiction, and psychological disorders.Equine therapy may be a horse of a different color, but it’s worth saddling up and trotting around for a while to receive the full benefit.

I viested each website below to give you a list of Equine Therapy in Florida /Equine - Assisted  Therapy Programs ()

FL, Archer
HOPE - Horses Helping People 9722 SW 153 Ave. Archer, FL 32618 (352) 495-0533
9814 SW 153 Ave., Archer, FL
www.horseshelpingpeople.org

FL, Bradenton
Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P O Box 9566 Bradenton, FL 34206-9566 (941) 746-1493
4800 CR 675, Bradenton, FL
www.smartriders.org

FL, Brooksville
The ARC Nature Coast 5283 Neff Lake Road Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 544-2322
www.thearc-naturecoast.org

FL, Brooksville
Legacy Oaks Riding Stable 16047 Psenka Brooksville, FL 34604 (352) 796-9702
http://www.agsfarm.com/

FL, Coconut Creek
Horses & Handicapped of South Florida, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P.O. Box 273542 Boca Raton, FL 33427 (954)974-2007
3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, FL
www.handhmagic.org

FL, Coconut Creek
Bit by Bit, Inc. 11555 Heron Bay Blvd.. Suite 200 Coral Springs, FL 33076 (954) 234-8808
4201 Vinkemulder Rd., Coconut Creek, FL
www.BitbyBitTherapy.com

FL, Dania
Kiwanis Horses & Handicapped, Inc. PO Box 551 Dania, FL 33004 (561) 753-9700
http://www.ege.com/kiwanis/

FL, Davie
Healing Hooves Psychotherapy, Inc. 3500 Peacefull Ridge Rd Davie, FL 33330 (954) 547-9928
www.healinghoovesinc.com

FL, Kissimmee
Heavenly Hooves, Inc. 417 Celebration Ave. Celebration, FL 34747 (407) 301-1085
1731 Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, FL
www.heavenlyhoofs.com/

FL, Loxahatchee
Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center NARHA Premier Accredited Center
13300 6th Court North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561)792-9900
www.vinceremos.com

FL, Miami
Good Hope Equestrian Training Center, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
PO Box 700016 Miami, FL 33170-0016 (305) 258-2838
22155 SW 147th Avenue, Miami, FL
www.goodhopeequestriancenter.com

FL, Middleburg
Hope Therapy NARHA Premier Accredited Center
1591 Big Branch Rd Middleburg, FL 32068 (904) 291-6784
www.hopetherapy.org

FL, N. Ft. Myers
Special Equestrians, Inc NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P.O. Box 61528 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (239) 731-1212
17840 Palm Creek Dr., N. Ft. Myers, FL
www.specialequestrians.net

FL, Naples
Naples Equestrian Challenge, Inc. 206 Ridge Dr Naples, FL 34108-3418 (239) 596-2988
www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org

FL, Ocala
Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P O Box 6832 Ocala, FL 34478 (352) 624-4240
3143 SW 17th St., Ocala, FL
www.mtraocala.org

FL, Ocala
Story Book Meadows
13049 NW 97th Place, Ocala, Florida, USA 34482 (352) 351–4746
http://storybookmeadows.org

FL, Orlando
Freedom Ride, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
1905 Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 293-0411
www.freedomride.com

FL, Rockledge
Harmony Farms, Inc. “Horses for the Handicapped” 5300 Stadium Parkway Rockledge, FL 32955-5112 (321) 631-9433
www.harmonyfarmsinc.com

FL, Sanford
A Stable Life Counseling
114 W. 1st St. Suite 246 Sanford, FL 32771-1273 (321)377-2243
http://www.astablelife.com/index.html

FL, S.W. Ranches
Project Stable Foundation 5790 S.W. 130 Ave. S.W. Ranches, FL 33330 (954) 680-8069
www.projectstable.org

FL, Tampa
Bakas Equestrian Center “Horses for Handicapped” NARHA Premier Accredited Center
11510 Whisper Lake Trail Tampa, FL 33626 (813) 264-3890
www.bakasridingcenter.com

FL, Thonotosassa
Traverse, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
10730 N. 56th St. Oak Plaza - Suite #210 Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (813) 960-3488
11408 Walker Rd., Thonotosassa, Fl
www.traversekids.org

FL, Vero Beach
Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast NARHA Premier Accredited Center
Special Equestrians of the Tre P. O. Box 651312 Vero Beach, FL 32961 (772) 562-7603
8000 8th Street, Vero Beach, FL
http://www.special-equestrians.org/

Mental Health Humor cartoons by Chato B Stewart.  Thanks Cuz!

Posted in Equine Therapy, mental health advocates | Print | No Comments »

6. May 2011 by admin.

2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards Now Available

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards, formerly the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery State Awards, which fund selected state-wide peer-run organizations across the United States to promote social inclusion on State and local levels and to counter the negative perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs associated with mental health and/or substance use problems.

This year, SAMHSA will award six $20,000 grants for statewide and community-based efforts that promote and expand the “What a Difference a Friend Makes” campaign (www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov). Proposed activities must target 18- to 25-year-olds and provide a detailed plan to increase awareness of behavioral health issues and of mental health and addictions recovery among young adults – in particular those from diverse populations including Hispanic/Latino, African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian populations. Proposals are also encouraged that address young adults who have experienced trauma.

These awards support SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives of Public Awareness and Support, Trauma and Justice, and Recovery Support.

The application period for the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards for

Statewide Peer-Operated Projects opens May 6, 2011, and the deadline for

submitting applications is June 6, 2011.

The comprehensive Project Guide, which fully describes the project focus, eligibility

requirements, application requirements, and other important information, is available

at http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2011awards.aspx.

For questions on this application, please contact: Campaign Liaison Ruth Montag at

240-744-7062 or CSI-liaison@esi-dc.com.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | No Comments »

5. May 2011 by admin.

Florida Council for Community Mental Health

Budget Update

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The House and Senate finally addressed the Health and Human Services appropriations issues with good news for mental health and substance abuse providers and advocates. With much late night deliberations the conference committee met this morning around 9:00 a.m. and announced that there were no cuts to mental health or substance abuse community funding.

Below are as much of the details as can be determined at this time:

Mental Health:

Children’s Mental Health- fully funded with $3,584,380 shifted to non-recurring

Baker Act - fully funded

IDP - fully funded

Adult Community Mental Health - fully funded but approximately $27 million of recurring general revenue shifted to non-recurring. (This was after last year’s non-recurring was fully restored.)

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Projects: $15,682,018 - fully funded with recurring general revenue (Includes $489,000 of new project funding).

Substance Abuse:

Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse – fully funded with $6,960,000 shifted to non-recurring

Adult Substance Abuse - fully funded with $8,140,000 shifted to non-recurring

Criminal Justice Grants: $3,000,000 funded

Forensic Hospitals: Reduction of 82 Forensic beds and a 7% ($14,501,589) reduction

Civil Hospitals: 10% reduction in civil hospitals ($9,371,569)

Sexual Predators Program: ($2,000,000) reduction

DCF Administration: ($20,348,951)/273 FTE reduction

Mental Health Administration: ($3,149,690)/47 FTE reduction

Substance Abuse Administration: ($2,108,482)/32 FTE reduction

Other areas of HHS:

Medically Needy and Meds Ad: Fully funded

Hospitals: 12% Medicaid rate reduction

Children’s Hospitals: 4% Medicaid rate reduction

Nursing Homes: 6.5% Medicaid rate reduction

Developmental Disabilities: 4% rate reduction – 2011 deficit funded at $54 million

Other News:

Regulatory Relief: The Council’s regulatory relief bills (SB 1366 and HB 959) moved closer to passage. The House took up SB 1366 on the Floor today and moved it to 3^rd Reading. It is anticipated the SB 1366 will pass tomorrow and sent to the Governor.

Medicaid Reform: There is no information regarding whether the legislature will attempt Reform this session; however both the House Bill and the Senate Bill are on the Senate calendar and technically could be taken up at any time.

The Appropriations Bill is in the process of being “printed”. Once everything is typed into the bill the bill will be electronically emailed to all legislators. Once the bill hits the desk the 72 hour countdown to Sine Die will begin. The bill will include proviso however there are several conforming bills that also impact state spending. The conforming bills do not have to sit for 72 hours and can be amended until the end. Once we have a copy of the Appropriations Bill we will provide your more detail.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »

5. May 2011 by admin.

Florida Mental Health Consumer Reinvestment grant funding restored!

Members,

As often happens in budget negotiations, funds miraculously appear after being eliminated. During today’s 12:30 conference committee meeting, staff made reference to the grant program and a funding amount but the printed report did not come out until a short time ago so that we could confirm the information.

The line item includes $3 million with $2,250,000 designated for the Public Safety, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Local Matching Grant program. The program has been funded at the full $3 million in previous years so we’ll do some checking to find out how the reduced amount will be allocated. The good news is that the GRANT IS BACK!

The budget has been printed so this amount will not change for the coming 2011-2012 budget year which begins July 1. I’ll share additional details as I receive them.

Thanks again to everyone for your great advocacy work this session!

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 2 Comments »

4. May 2011 by admin.

NAMI Florida, Inc. Administrative Assistant Nichole Theis asked all Floridians to “Please share with others”.  In my last post NO CUTS TO Mental Health AND Substance Abuse FUNDING BUT REINVESTMENT GRANTS ELIMINATED.  Please read over the Please information contained in the CHAINReaction newsletter and take any action you can to help pass the full legislature.

You can reach Nichole Theis:

NAMI Florida, Inc.  - 1030 E. Lafayette Street, #10 - Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tel: 850-671-4445 - Fax: 850-671-5272 - nst826@yahoo.com - www.namifl.org

May 3, 2011

Only one week left for Florida’s regular legislative session, and a promised Medicaid package has yet to pass the full legislature. Last week’s news from Washington’s CMS may impact the final outcome.

• Last Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to Florida informing the State they will not authorize statewide expansion of the Medicaid Reform pilot program because they don’t have anything to approve yet. They also told the State they want to see stronger accountability and consumer protections. The battle is far from over, but we here at Florida CHAIN are very happy that CMS was so responsive to the concerns we raised and are grateful to all of you who helped make the case that an expansion of the Medicaid Reform pilot would be dangerous to Floridians’ health.

• Florida CHAIN analyzed the impact of the CMS decision on pending legislation.

• Read Florida CHAIN’s previous letter to CMS explaining that AHCA’s notice was legally out-of-bounds, and that rejecting Florida’s plan was the only possible response.

• Greg Mellowe sums up what the CMS letter means in the Associated Press.

• Last week, Florida CHAIN issued an urgent alert to take action on the disastrous Medicaid privatization bill. The Senate still hasn’t voted, so please click and take action. Tell your Senator: Sick Floridians are Not for Sale! It’s quick and easy: Just add your name and contact information.

• Debate over the Senate Medicaid bill has been filled with untruths. Read our CHAIN Links to Reality fact check on SB 1972.

• To advance our campaign, Moving Forward, Protecting Our Care, Florida CHAIN is delivering a series of interactive workshops across the state to educate the public on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Space is still available for the May 4^th Palm Beach workshop and the May 26th Tampa Bay workshop.

• Want to make sure Florida implements the Affordable Care Act? Join organizations for a statewide coalition meeting and strategy session in Orlando, May 12^th.

• Florida CHAIN continues to make consumer voices heard in the news media. Here’s the latest:

• • Expectant mothers’ experience with Medicaid Reform in Health News Florida.
  • Florida CHAIN Executive Director takes issue with selling off Florida’s sick and poor in Public News Service.
  • Davie mother and Medicaid advocate Vicki Ahern speaks out in the New York Times.

Do you have trouble accessing your prescription medications? Tell us about it to help us advocate for change.

For up-to-date comments on health happenings in Florida, connect with us and share on  Facebook and  Twitter.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »

3. May 2011 by admin.

As you may know, or may not know, in Florida we are one of the worst states for mental health services ranking 47th in spending and 12th when it comes to individuals with serious mental health issues in prison.  There’s been a push this month and last month to stop any more spending cuts for mental health services and it seems like there will be no cuts… It’s a HUGE win for Florida Peer Advocates!!!  I just received this e-mail:

NO CUTS TO MH AND SA FUNDING BUT REINVESTMENT GRANTS ELIMINATED

 

 

After negotiating until 4:00 this morning, the Legislature has agreed to a new budget.  There were NO cuts to mental and health and substance abuse treatment services including the special projects.  This is particularly amazing given that most other services including nursing homes, hospitals and others took cuts of as much as 6% - 12%.

 

Unfortunately, the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment grants were eliminated in the proposal.  The House had funded them at full funding of $3 million but the Senate had no funding.  The House agreed to the Senate position.

 

In other bad news, the Department of Children and Families will lose 273 positions overall, plus 222 positions in the civil commitment area and 275 positions in the forensic system.

 

We are still sorting through the hundreds of pages of language that accompanies the budget and will have additional updates as they come in.

 

Thanks to all of you for your great advocacy work – you made the difference!!

Public Policy Co-Chair

NAMI Florida

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »

21. November 2010 by admin.

Once again My friend Chato post’s about and great opportunity for mental health advocates to take action. Mental Health Activists let’s get going!

 We Can Help Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) Win $250,000 From Pepsi!

By Chato B. Stewart

CABF is competing for a $250,000 grant from The Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of November. The winners will be decided by popular vote. CABF needs your votes every day this month!

Here are a few other blog post you might want to re-post or at least backlink (trackback) too.

Change the FACE of Men’s Health by Growing a Moustache for Prostate Cancer and Depression.

Midnight Madness: Six Quotes of Chato B. Stewart’s Words Of The Wisdomless

[Not Quite] Midnight Madness: 9 Quotes of Chato B. Stewart’s Words Of The Wisdomless

2 Out of 8 Men Have Uncontrolled Anger Issues… Can You Pick Them Out?

4 UR Mental Health: What is mental health?

Ode To The Caregiver [NEW Cartoon]

Chato’s Homage to Gary Larson (The Far Side) and Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbs)

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates, Psych Central | Print | No Comments »