Subject: Starting a Support Group Training for Caregivers

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BEGIN YOUR OWN KINSHIP SUPPORT GROUP?

WE CAN TEACH YOU HOW!

Join Us For a FREE Training To Learn More About…

· Developing A Kinship Support Group
· Creating Your Facilitator Toolkit
· Managing Group Dynamics

Training Provided by the Florida Kinship Center

DATE: Thursday November 3, 2005
TIME: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Allen Temple AME Church
2101 Lowe Street
Tampa, FL 33605

**Space is limited!**
Please call Emelda Curry at (813) 974-6114
to reserve your seat for the training today!
Deadline for registration is Monday October 31st

Read flyer

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One-Day Right to Vote Training Academy

With special emphasis on communications strategy and legislative lobbying...

This event is free of charge. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is requested. Charter bus transportation is available from South Florida with prior registration.

For more information or to register, please email, or call 305-576-2337 ext. 18.

When: Saturday, November 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
4201 W. Columbia St., Orlando, FL 32811

What: All the training necessary to act as an effective advocate for voting and civil rights restoration!

The academy will include workshops on legislative lobbying and communications strategies, followed by planning sessions for a 2006 legislative lobbying day in Tallahassee and for effective use of the media around specific actions. People with felony convictions and persons who handle media for their organizations are especially encouraged to attend. Updates on the latest legislative developments (yes, we're already working toward the 2006 legislative session!) and litigation (a petition asking that the U.S. Supreme Court hear Johnson v. Bush, the federal challenge to Florida's voting ban, is currently pending) will also be provided. A full conference agenda will be posted soon!

Why: It's time to get together. It's time to get involved. It's time to end the injustice of Florida's 138 year old voting ban.

In Florida, more than a half million people have lost their vote - their voice - due to a felony conviction. Florida has by far the highest number of people of any state in the nation who cannot vote due to laws like this. In Florida, people lose not only the right to vote, but also the right to hold many state job licenses, which directly impacts families and communities. Our democracy is big enough and strong enough to always exercise its fundamental principles. A strong, vibrant democracy includes the voices of all its citizens.

Register now for this free event on Saturday, November 12th. Email, or call 305-576-2337 ext. 18.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is a state partner in the national Right to Vote Campaign.

American Civil Liberties Union of Florida
4500 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 340
Miami, FL 33137-3227
(305) 576-2337 ext. 18
(305) 576-1106 fax
ACLUFL

National Depression Screening Day: NMHA Provides Education and Support to Hurricane Victims and Responders

Contact:

Heather Cobb at 703-797-2588, or by email.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 5, 2005) -- National Depression Screening Day, an annual observance to educate the public on mental health issues and help individuals identify symptoms of depression and other mental health problems is Thursday. The National Mental Health Association and its 340 affiliates nationwide are seizing this opportunity to educate victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, responders and the American public about the mental health impact of disasters and how individuals can best manage.

"Although all emotional responses are normal, persistent feelings of despair, fear or anger may be signs of depression or another mental health problem," says Michael Faenza, President and CEO of the NMHA. "Depression Screening Day offers us a unique opportunity for NMHA and its affiliates to reach even more people in their communities through voluntary, confidential and free screenings. With the right resources and information, we can help prevent mental health problems in individuals impacted by these disasters so they can focus on rebuilding their lives."

Marked by persistent sadness, sleep and appetite changes, restlessness, irritability, physical complaints, fatigue, feelings of guilt, hopelessness and even thoughts of suicide, 19 million Americans experience depression each year. And, despite an 80 percent success rate, only half of those who could benefit for help, including counseling and medical treatment, receive any.

"People facing devastation - lost homes, loved ones, sense of community -- do not need to soldier through the symptoms of depression or any mental health problem alone," said Faenza. "Help is available. The trained clinicians conducting screenings in each community can put the right information into the hands of people who needed it, as well as direct them to help they may require."

NMHA has developed several new Coping With Disaster resources that hundreds of mental health associations across the nation will share with their community members on National Depression Screening Day. Resources available at NMHA include:

Depression: What You Need to Know

Surviving Sudden Loss

Dealing with Stress

Helping Children Cope

Coping Strategies for Staff and Volunteers

Coping with Evacuation

Blueprint for Responding to Public Mental Health Needs in Times of Crisis

For additional information on depression, how to cope with disasters or about NMHA´s ongoing Hurricanes Katrina and Rita response efforts, visit NMHA's website. Individuals can also call NMHA´s Resource Center at (800) 969-NMHA (6642) for information and referrals to help. To locate a screening site, visit SMH (Screening For Mental Health, Inc.).

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research, and service. For more information call (800) 969-NMHA (6642) or visit NMHA's website.

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