2008 Statewide Annual Conference “Lessons from the Past, Hope for the Future" Click Here To Register
April 18, 2008
Dear friends,
Happy 20th Anniversary, TMHCA! Many thanks to all of you for your un-wavering support over all these years! It hasn’t always been easy but when you believe strongly in something – something so just – nothing can stand in your way. We want you to know that we truly appreciate all you do each and every day in support of our mission.
We are in the final stages of planning our 2008 Statewide Annual Conference. This year the event is entitled “Lessons from the Past, Hope for the Future,” and to start us on our path towards another 20 years, we decided to make time for not only education and support but for a chance to really get to know each other and have a lot of fun! As many of you know, this year it will be held at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, TN. We will be there June 3rd – 5th and hope to see each and every one of you there!
At this time, I want to clarify some of the general guidelines with regard to both the events and the lodging accommodations:
We have several educational workshops and facilitated discussions scheduled. There will be an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts on recovery and the current state of affairs within our state. Our festivities will include a Talent Show, Hot Dog Dressing/Eating Contest and a Womanless Beauty Revue. Entry forms for the Talent Show and Beauty Revue are included; information about each contest is listed below.
Lodging Scholarships: We have reserved 5 cabins for our attendees. Each cabin will accommodate 6 men or 6 women. In an effort to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the conference this year, we are offering scholarships for one night only. Because space is limited, scholarships/rooms will be available only to those who do not mind staying in close proximity with others attending the conference. This will mean sharing a bed or room with someone else.
If you are interested, please fill out the scholarship form (included) and return as soon as possible. There are only 60 scholarships available so apply early for the best chance at securing a space. Applications must be received in the TMHCA office by May 16, 2008**. Applying for the scholarship does not mean you will be selected. TMHCA has the right to decline any application.
2008 TMHCA Talent Show – This is a venue for displaying your hidden gifts and talents ~ we hope to have a great showcase. Entry forms must be received by Monday, May 19th, 2008. We will have a panel of distinguished judges and a grand prize will be awarded to the winner. Showcased talents can include but are not limited to: singing, dancing, musical performance, poetry/spoken word, comic routine, athletic stunts*, short skit, etc. Due to time constraints each act will be limited to 5 minutes. There will be a limit of one entry/act per participant. Groups are allowed but discouraged as there will be only one grand prize for the winner. *Judicious consideration will be given to athletic displays/stunt entries as our number one priority is safety. TMHCA administration has the right to decline any submission deemed dangerous or inappropriate. Entry forms must be returned to the TMHCA office by May 19th**.
2008 Hot Dog Eating/Dressing Contest – Move over all you chili lovers, this is a chance to show off your best dressed dog!!! We will be dividing into our traditional three grand divisions, East, West and Middle. Also, we have adding a special team this year made up of our fabulous Board of Directors! These teams will compete for the best dressed and best tasting hot dogs. Afterwards, each district will have representatives to compete in a hot dog eating contest! Sounds easy, right? Remember this is no ordinary hot dog eating contest – these dogs will be dressed making it a very messy situation! Entry for the eating contest will be the day of the event. Note to the dressing contest teams: please remember to have your shopping list and team names in to me by May 5th! These may be emailed to sshilling@tmhca-tn.org.
2008 TMHCA Womanless Revue – This should be a lot of fun. Our Womanless Revue is beauty pageant for men where they can showcase their talents and personality for the coveted title. The one catch is they will be doing so as a female – complete with all the fluff and frill that makes a gal a true doll! Contestants will enter into the contest paired with a female Beauty Consultant. This consultant is chosen by the contestant and will be charged with helping the contestant to be poised, refined and beautiful. Contestants will participate in several competitions within the pageant: talent, formalwear and interview. Contestants will enter under a stage name and each contestant/consultant team will be responsible for their own props including music, accessories, wigs, makeup, clothing, etc. The Grand Prize will be awarded to both the contestant and consultant. Entry forms must be returned to the TMHCA office by May 19th.
**Registration, Scholarship applications and entry forms must be physically mailed into our office as follows:
TMHCA
Conference, 2008
Attn: Shanna Shilling
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Thanks so much! We look forward to having you with us. If you have any questions, please call me anytime at (615)250-1176 local or toll free at (888)539-0393.
Congratulations are due all around! As the foundation of our great mission, you make all the difference!
Truly yours,
Shanna Shilling
TMHCA Administrative Director
(615) 250-1176 x 8639
Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association Starts New Program in Middle TN "Reason to Believe"
The Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association would like to announce that beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2008 its new program “Reason to Believe” will start enrolling mental health consumers in the middle Tennessee area.
“Reason to Believe” is available to qualifying adults needing Peer Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services. Five components will drive the program; Illness Management and Recovery, Supported Employment, Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, and curriculum-based recovery education.
To qualify an adult (18 and older) must have received mental health and/or substance abuse services, be enrolled in the state’s TennCare Program and live in one of the following counties in Middle Tennessee:
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, Wilson.
You can enroll in the program three different ways:
- TMHCA will accept walk-ins at our office at 955 Woodland Street, in Nashville. The TMHCA office is open from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday; or
- By completing a referral form. Self referral or referrals from an outside source can be faxed to (615) 383-1176 or a State Certified Peer Specialists will be taking referrals via phone. For phone referrals call 1-888-539-0393 Extension 8638; or
- A State Certified Peer Specialist will meet you in your community to assist you with the enrollment process.
If you need to call after hours you can call 1-888-539-0393 Extension 8638 and leave you name and phone number and your call will be returned the next business day.
The Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association (TMHCA) is Tennessee’s only statewide consumer owned and operated organization with a board of directors and staff that are 100% mental health consumers. It is an organization that understands and lives the concept “peer-support”. Anthony Fox, TMHCA Executive Director believes “this opening provides another entry point through which people can access quality mental health services, especially peer support and peer education. It is also a milestone in the consumer movement, not only in Tennessee, but globally. Without the hard work of the TMHCA staff “Reason to Believe” would still only be a dream, not a reality.”
For additional information contact TMHCA at 1-888-539-0393.
TMHCA “Reason to Believe”Peer Support and Psychosocial
Program Referral Form
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