Russian River Empowerment Center

Peer to Peer Support for those practicing medicine: o We all get tired and overwhelmed from time to time. Now there is someone to talk with who shares your experiences and understands the responsibilities of practicing medicine. It is YOUR turn to receive confidential and empathetic listening. o During your Zoom appointment you will be talking with a medical practitioner like you. The conversation will be based on what you decide to discuss and remains completely co...nfidential. No therapy, no records. Being heard in a nonjudgmental way builds strength. Having received support for yourself, you can work with renewed compassion and again find joy and inspiration in your work. A pilot project of Edmee Danan, MD a psychiatrist-psychotherapist with over 30 years' experience, and supported by West County Health Centers, The Listening Room is open to all medical practitioners. This is not therapy this is peer-to-peer support through conversation and a human connection. For more information and to schedule a session: The Listening Room

Mental Health Board Public Hearing on MHSA Revised Budget and Innovation Proposals: Date: Dec 15, 2020 Time: 5pm Online: Zoom links below... Please join us for an informative evening with the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Public Hearing hosted by the Sonoma County Mental Health Board. The public hearing will review the MHSA Expenditure Plan update and four Innovation proposals. You are invited to make a comment at the public hearing. Comments can be up to 3 minutes long. Please email Tori Bartholomew [email protected] if you would like to sign up to make a comment at the public hearing. The December 15, 2020 Mental Health Board Meeting will be facilitated virtually through Zoom. Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting using one of the two following methods: 1. Join the Zoom meeting application on your computer, tablet or smartphone: Please click this URL to join: Go to: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/92835770996 Enter passcode: 800006 2. Call-in and listen to the meeting: Dial +1 (669) 900 9128 Enter Webinar ID: 928 3577 0996 Enter passcode: 800006 Note: This meeting will be audio recorded. Sincerely, Melissa Ladrech Melissa Ladrech, LMFT Department of Health Services: Behavioral Health Division Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Coordinator and Workforce, Education and Training (WET) Coordinator Pronouns: She/her/hers

Harness the Power of Games and Play The Sonoma County Library invites you to participate in the annual celebration of International Games Week, from November 8 to 14! How can you join the fun? By playing games of course! Looking to expand your video game play? We have video games for all ages that you can check out with your Sonoma County Library card, including Nintendo Switch games! Just request the game(s) and take them home with Curbside Pickup.... Learn about all the library's gaming options here and see the full video game catalog here. Game On! https://sonomalibrary.org/games-and-gaming International Games Week is an initiative supported by the American Library Association, the Australian Library and Information Association, Nordic Game Day, and L’Associazione Italiana Biblioteche.

Please join us for Path to Hope Live which is an online educational series on suicide prevention, resilience-building, and dealing with the grief, loss, and mental health challenges of our times. The format of varied presenters and topics pack in heart, lived experience and personal connection. These free events are being offered as a gift to all as we individually and collectively seek balance and renewal in our lives and communities. Our first Live Event is happening on No...vember 19th with Angelina Caporale where she will discuss Chronic Illness and Boundary Guidance. Please find the flier for this attached along with the link to register for free. Also attached is the Save the Date in English and Spanish for all of the Live Events happening from November 19th to January 21st.

This just in! The EC will be "OPEN" for business for outdoor in-person engagements from 12pm-4pm Monday-Thursday. Please feel free to come out and see us for comradery and creative exploration!

Power to the Peers! https://www.pressdemocrat.com//russian-river-empowerment-/

Sonoma County Sonoma County Peer Council Web page https://sonomacountypeercouncil.org/ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Sonoma-County-Peer-Council-100501104929076 Listening Circle Fri, Sep 25, 2020 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (PDT) ... To Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/578651197 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 Access Code: 578-651-197 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/578651197 BOS Passes the 2020 - 2021 Budget includes funds for peer and family services as well as funding to expand the Mobile Support Team. https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Board-of-Supervisors/ Please vote Yes on Measure "O" www.Yesonoforsonomacounty.org Measure O will provide Sonoma County residents with essential mental health and homelessness services. Vote YES on Measure O to help provide: Services for children, veterans and seniors Emergency psychiatric care Mental health and addiction facilities Permanent supportive housing & housing services for those experiencing homelessness Behavioral and mental health crisis assessment Expanded Substance Use Disorder services Suicide prevention Strict fiscal accountability keeps every penny in Sonoma County and nothing can be taken by the State or used for other purposes. Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits are also required. Measure O will only pass if we all chip in and do our part. We hope you will join our grassroots, volunteer effort to support essential services here in Sonoma County! California SB 803 ( Beall ) on the governor's desk SB 803 establishes a peer support specialist certification program for behavioral health services and adds peer support services as a Medi-Cal covered benefit for counties that choose to provide this important service. On August 31, the bill passed out of the Assembly unanimously, and the Senate (for concurrence) 36 1. The Governor has until the end of September to sign or veto bills!!!! 50+ organizations released a letter calling for the Governor’s signature on the bill, saying the legislation is critical as California faces a behavioral health pandemic driven by COVID-19. SB803 Sample Letter to Governor SB803 Group Letter to Governor SB803 Press Release

How deep is the mud?

Two Local Assistance Centers (LAC) will be opening up in Guerneville (Bank of America) and Healdsburg (Healdsburg High School Gym). Tentative first day will be Friday. Details will be released through the County. COAD will be staffing a table at the LAC for referrals and to identify individuals eligible for long-term disaster case management. We will not provide gift cards at the LAC. More information will be shared at Thursday’s meeting. COVID protocols will be in place incl...uding mandatory mask wearing, hourly disinfecting of bathrooms, and PPE available for tables. We will begin using NorCal Resources https://norcalresources.com/. This is a free resource that can be used by any organization for resource referral for clients. A brief training will occur at the meeting . Please complete a Membership Agreement form if you have not done so already. This will greatly facilitate the process of data sharing.

Hello, I am an attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid’s Health Consumer Center, which provides free advice to people around the Bay Area on issues relating to health insurance or accessing health care services. Some areas that we commonly advise on are eligibility or services issues regarding public insurance programs (Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, IHSS), private insurance issues, medical bills, claims denials, etc. We like to periodically reach out to organizations that d...irectly serve the public to make sure they know that we are an available resource. I have attached our informational post card in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Feel free to distribute our information widely, and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! Amy A. Freeland Registered Legal Services Attorney Bay Area Legal Aid | Health Consumer Center 1735 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94612 510.250.5278 ph 510.250.5294 fx [email protected] (pronouns: she/her/hers) Bay Area Legal Aid is the largest civil legal aid firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our attorneys and advocates work tirelessly on behalf of our region's poorest individuals and families, keeping them in their homes, free from violence, with the economic support and health services they need. Please support BayLegal by clicking here to make a secure online donation.