Participate in the Process – Your Voice Counts
Greetings,
I just finished posting my thoughts and suggestions on the SAMHSA Stakeholder Feedback forum around it’s eight new strategic initiatives for 2011-2014. What a great opportunity to provide feedback to the process and ensure that we have to say is at least recorded. The online forum will be open through 5 pm this afternoon, Friday October 22, 2010 so if you haven’t taken the time to record your comments I encourage you to do so now.
It matters, because we need to participate in this process in order to have things change to better meet our needs and support our recovery.
I hope you do your part.
peace, Jan
Major Changes in the Historic Triangle
Greetings,
Imagine my surprise when I read the “WY Daily Morning News” this morning online as I was preparing to come to work. The first item of interest was the one that talked about HTSAC closing its doors October 22, 2010 due to lack of funding. The second was the increase in the number of liquor outlets from 6 to 19 in the Historic Triangle under the Governor’s plan. More specifically the article states, “the biggest change in the Historic Triangle would be in James City County, where the number of liquor outlets would go from one to nine. In the City of Williamsburg and York County, outlets would double. Williamsburg would go from one to two; York would increase from four to eight.”
What a frightening thought, the organization that was started 11 years ago to address and support the needs of this community in terms of prevention, treatment and recovery of substance abuse will no longer be here because our community did not support it. And, instead our community will be looking to increase the number of outlets and sales of the major contributor to the substance abuse problems we have.
I am terribly saddened by the loss mostly because of the recovery housing program (transitional housing program) that has made a tremendous positive impact on the lives of many men who participated in the program. We have seen families restored, crime reduced, restitution made, education received, parole and probation status changed, and jobs secured as a direct result of participation in the program. The closure of HTSAC will bring an end to the program and translate to a significant loss to these individuals lives and to the community as a whole.
I am grateful to the Coalition for the support we have received at SpiritWorks, for helping us to make a positive difference in the lives of families affected by the disease of addiction, especially the children and youth. With the example you set for us, we will continue our efforts to make the Historic Triangle a safe and healthy community free of substance abuse.
Peace,
Jan
It Really Weighs 4.5 Pounds!
Greetings,
I just got my copy of “The Book that Started It All”, the AA original manuscript, and much to my surprise it really does weigh 4 1/2 pounds. I haven’t gotten into it myself rather leaving it at the Center for others to take a look at and comment about. So far the reviews have been very positive for the most part. One gentleman who was at the Center yesterday commented that he really likes the way it is written because it is more “personal” and “goes deeper” in his opinion. Despite it’s cost, he says he has an interest in buying one for his “sponsor” and his fiancee both of whom are members of 12 step fellowships.
The other primary comments are really about how large the book is more so than anything about the contents. Part of my plan this weekend is to take a look inside at least at a couple of the chapters to begin my consideration of it.
I’ll let you know once I’ve begun the process.
Peace, Jan
Are We “Downplaying the Faith Issue to Get More People”?
Greetings,
I just finished reading an article in the Washington Post, entitled, AA original manuscript reveals profound debate over religion, which has caused me to think a great deal about the origins of AA. Frankly I have always known that the origins of the program were in the Bible so that hasn’t come as a surprise. I have even seen some of the chapters from the original manuscript, the original third step section was modified tremendously.
I must say that based on the final statement in the article and title of this post, it does beg the question about whether the power of the program is in AA or in the scripture and faith in “Jesus Christ” or “God”.
No matter what the debate, I plan to get the book, “The Book That Started It All”, and read it for myself. It is being sold by Hazelden Publishing starting next week for $65. I’ll let you know what I think of it when I am done reading it.
If you are at all like me, the article will stir some thoughts and feelings. I would love to hear what you think.
Until next time,
peace, Jan
Bringing Attention to Reentry
Greetings,
I just got off the phone from a conversation with Lori from Voices of Hope Productions. I am excited about the work being done and hopeful to collaborate with them on projects here in Virginia. The selection of works that has me most excited is the Reentry Series, a series of three films designed to bring attention to the issues related to the process of reentry of those who have been incarcerated in jails and prisons. Although the films, Check out A Failed System, Nowhere to Go and Healing Justice: Transformed Lives focus on New Jersey, I believe the issues are very similar to those we have here in Virginia.
The films demonstrate the need for recovery support services and a need for advocacy and support to change the laws for those who have done their time. SpiritWorks hopes to obtain the film series and host a screening at some point in the near future. In the meantime I encourage you to visit the site or go to YouTube to view the videos.
I’d love to hear what you think about the films as well as the issue of reentry.
Until next time,
peace, Jan
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day
Greetings,
Did you know? Alcohol is the leading known preventable cause of mental and physical birth defects in the United States.
I write this to bring you awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day. Held the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the purpose is for the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. On this day people all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
I have witnessed the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome on several children and youth who now have lasting and permanent effects. It is devastating to the families, the communities and ultimately the whole of society.
For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome visit www.fasday.com or http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html#.
Peace, Jan
Emerging Leadership in Recovery Support Services
Greetings,
With this month being National Recovery Month it seems that a lot of focus and buzz are emerging on this new field of peer based recovery support services. Setting training standards, credentialing, certification and other such issues are being talked about here in Virginia as well as at the level of the federal government. It seems that one of the pressing issues is how to make recovery support services a billable Medicaid service. As a professional life coach with a wellness background I am kind of amused by this desire, only because I see recovery as a wellness issue and not as some form of sickness. We focus on strengths and are hoping to develop a strengths based model and yet because we have not way to get paid for our services it seems we are hoping that Medicaid will fund them. While I do not have an answer, I am open to have my understanding increased and my mind changed, I certainly desire to be at the table for the discussion and am very interested in seeing where this all will go.
So wish us luck as we grow an emerging field of Peer Based Recovery Support Specialists! It promises to be an exciting time for the field of recovery. I’ll keep you posted throughout my journey and would love to hear from you.
We have an opportunity unlike any before which is to develop our own criteria, standards, and needs. Let’s get to it!
Until next time.
peace, Jan
Happy Recovery Month
TGIF,
It’s been a busy week around here getting settled in again after camp and the 5K. We are looking ahead to a wonderful celebration of Recovery Month this month. We will host a few recovery oriented films and other activities to bring us together to celebrate the joy of living in recovery. So, stay tuned.
Peace, Jan
Why All the Buzz About Self-Care?
I just finished making a brief presentation about self-care to a group of women. We had a lively discussion about the importance of self-care and how to incorporate it into our daily lives. We talked about how for some it is hard to tend to ourselves, discussing some of the various reasons that make it so. We also talked that for some scheduling time for self care is an important strategy to ensure that it gets done.
As people in recovery our lives are grounded in health, spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, social and environmental. It is important that we take time to care for all dimensions of our health, starting with spiritual health. By taking care of ourselves we are able to sustain long term recovery and be a testimony to others that long term recovery is possible.
The habits and practices that we learned and incorporated in the early stages of our recovery will keep us healthy throughout the course of our lives. We cannot get too busy to make self-care a principled practice nor can we forget that it is what got us here that is to long-term recovery, in the first place. So, remember, the next time you want to skip that meditation, not go to your meeting, choose not to exercise, or isolate from friends and family that what you are risking is long term sustained recovery.
Thanks for listening,
Peace, Jan
SpiritWorks Mission
The mission of SpiritWorks Foundation is to help individuals and families sustain long term recovery from addiction, and to help children and youth live free from the intergenerational cycle of addiction in their families.
SpiritWorks Foundation is la 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, located at 5800 Mooretown Road in Williamsburg, VA, 23188.
The 3,000 square foot Recovery Center provides programs and services for children, youth, and adults affected by the damaging effects of addiction. Take a virtual tour of the center (PDF)
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