This is the first of monthly reports to NAMI Florida Affiliates, members, and supporters on activities of the state office during the past month. On or about the first of every month a brief summary of activities will be posted on the NAMI Florida website, to inform members of highlights of the past month from the state office perspective. Please plan to visit the website during the first week of each month to get your Update!

The following activities and meetings occurred during July, 2006.

* The month began with several members of NAMI Florida and your Executive Director at the NAMI National Conference in Washington DC. The conference was excellent, with great sessions and especially great keynotes. Of special interest were the two Research plenary sessions. The CATIE, TADS and STEP-BD research studies were reviewed, as well as extensive research on mental illness and addictions. One researcher cited an important study that indicated that suicide risks are increased by up to 30% when children are not treated or are under-treated for their mental illness or SED.

* The state’s Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee met on Sunday, July 9, 2006 in Tampa. Written and verbal testimony was given on behalf of NAMI Florida. The written testimony can be viewed in the policy portion of the website. The next meeting of the P&T Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 in Tampa. NAMI Florida has requested a speaking spot.

* Nearly 300 formal requests for information and referral were handled by the state office in June and July, with many more informal inquiries handled by staff. Inquiries arrive at the office through the toll-free phone line, email, letters, and occasional walk-ins.

* State training planned at this time includes a Family-to-Family class in August and Provider Training in September. Provider Teams are being sought for Duval and Broward Counties.

* The State Mental Health Planning Council met on July 13-14, to work on the state’s mental health services block grant, which this year was approximately $26 million. Executive Director Sue Homant is the Vice-Chair of the Council.

* The results of the Bylaw change vote as finalized at the Membership Meeting on July 21 was overwhelmingly positive for both changes. Now, up to two members of the Board of Directors may be from the same Affiliate, and a Board Quorum is now the majority of Board members actually serving. This second change protects the ability of the Board to take action when there are vacancies on the Board.

* Nomination forms for Board of Director positions have been distributed to each Affiliate through its President, for further distribution to the Affiliate membership. Anyone desiring a copy electronically may contact Lana Lane at the office: Namifl@namifl.org. Candidate forms are due at the NAMI Florida office in early September, with elections scheduled for December 12, 2006 at the NAMI Florida Annual Meeting.

* Board President Judi Evans, Director Toni Beard, Rose Delaney and Jim Flagler attended the DCF Recovery and Resiliency Task Force meeting on July 27. This group is a subcommittee of the state’s Transformation Workgroup.

* The Florida Partners in Crisis (FPIC) Board met on July 13 at the Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny, Florida. Attending were Angela Vickers, Marion Moore, and Sue Homant representing NAMI Florida. Angela and Sue are on the FPIC Board.

* Your Executive Director met with Secretary McDonough of the Department of Corrections on July 14, to discuss policy issues and policy solutions to the mental health crisis in Florida’s prisons.

Dates of Note:

August 10-11: 100 Great Ideas Summit, Orlando (Republican party event)
August 24-27: Family to Family statewide training, Orlando (class is full)
September 21-24: Provider Course Team Training, Orlando
October 1-7: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW)
October 6: Children’s Summit, Orlando (Bipartisan legislative and UW event)
November 9-12: NAMI National Leadership Conference, St. Louis, MO
November 30: NAMI Florida Children’s Issues Pre-conference event, Orlando
December 1-3: NAMI Florida Annual Meeting and Conference, Sheraton Safari
Hotel, Orlando

We are pleased to provide you with this update. Do call the office if you desire additional information on any of the above activities or events.

Susanne F. Homant, MBA, DPA
NAMI Florida Executive Director