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The
Family-to-Family Program/Colorado Visions Program/
Support
Group Training/
Wellness
Recovery Action Plan/
Caminantes
de Colorado (en espanol)/Caminantes de Colorado (english)
OUR FREE EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
The Family-to-Family Education Program
About the Family-to-Family Education Program
The “Family-To-Family” education course was designed and written by Joyce Burland, an experienced family-member who is also a mental health professional, and to date, over 115,000 family members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico have completed this course. The “Family-To-Family” course is FREE and offered as a community service to Colorado family members and caregivers of persons living with mental illness. Trained, volunteer family members in teams of two, facilitate these classes. (See information below if you are interested in teaching Family-to-Family)
The “Family-To-Family” Education Program consists of a series of twelve weekly classes designed specifically for the families and caregivers of persons with serious and persistent brain disorders (mental illnesses). The course balances education and skill training with self-care, emotional support, and empowerment. THERE IS NO COST to participate in the “Family-To-Family” Education Program.
Important Components Covered in the Family-to-Family Course
1. Information on the following mental disorders: Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective Disorder,
Major Depression, Bipolar Illness (Manic-depressive disorder), Borderline Personality
Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Co-Curring Brain
Disorders (mental illness with combined substance abuse).
2. Biology of the brain/new research
3. Coping skills; handling crisis and relapse.
4. Listening and communication techniques.
5. Problem solving and limit setting; rehabilitation.
6. Empathy: understanding the actual experience of people suffering from mental illness.
7. Self-care; learning how to recognize normal emotional reactions among families; how to deal
with chronic worry and stress.
8. Basic information about medications and their side effects
9. Information about connecting with appropriate community services and community supports.
10. Advocacy: Getting better services, fighting discrimination.
The following are direct quotes from family members after completing the 12-week Family-to-Family Education Course:
- “It was comforting to share with other families and individuals regarding their experiences with
mental illness. I would highly recommend it to anyone dealing with mental illness.”
- “How did I not know about this course before? Would that all people could take it! I think I have
come a long way toward acceptance of my daughter’s illness, realizing there’s no “one answer”
to the problems she presents and feeling generally more comfortable compassionate and
confident in dealing with her. I “beat up” on myself much less when I find myself ineffective.”
- “I have benefited greatly from this class. I am now able to be with my son and not be angry! I
now look beyond his illness to the person beneath. I am also learning to let go.”
See more quotes.....Click here
Designated
a best practice by the National Institute of Mental Health, classes in NAMI Colorado's
Family-to-Family program are developed and scheduled
by our Director of Education Programs, Cheri Bishop
who also conducts teacher trainings and mentors our
Family-to-Family volunteer teachers.
Family-to-Family Teacher Trainings
To register or for
more information on how you can become a volunteer Family-to-Family teacher, please click on the links below or contact
Cheri Bishop by email at cbishopnami@aol.com or by calling 303-697-6808 or 303-321-3104.
• About the Family-to-Family Teacher Training
• Family-to-Family Teacher Training Registration form
NEW*** See Past Family-to-Family Teacher Training Photos
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Colorado Visions Education Program for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Brain Disorders
Click on the links below to register for a Colorado Visions class, or to view a
listing of the current class schedules and locations.
• Register for a Colorado Visions Class
• View Colorado Visions class schedules and locations
You may also contact Tammy Snow, the Colorado Visions Program Coordinator, by email at snowtammy@msn.com, or by calling
303-856-3835
or 303-321-3104.
About the Colorado Visions Education Program
Since February 2001, NAMI Colorado has offered an education program to
parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness
and/or serious emotional disorders collectively described as "brain
disorders". The Colorado Visions program provides five weeks of education
and support to these family members and caregivers.
The Colorado Visions program curriculum covers brain biology, brain disorders, coping and self-care
techniques, de-escalation and communication skills, problem solving, and also includes strategies and information on dealing with the schools and
juvenile justice systems. Caregivers may be parents, extended family, or
foster parents. Teachers of this program are trained family members who have
experienced firsthand the rewards and the challenges of raising children
with brain disorders.
The comments from previous students include testimonials such as: "Visions... is a must-do for those families who face the day-to-day challenges of taking care of their children/adolescents with brain disorders. I am impressed with the curriculum, teachers, and the amount of knowledge I am getting. I can't wait for each workshop!"
Classes for the Colorado Visions program are scheduled by
our Colorado Visions Program Coordinator, Tammy Snow. Tammy can be contacted by email at snowtammy@msn.com, or by phone at 303-856-3835 or 303-321-3104 (NAMI Colorado office).
Colorado Visions Teacher Training
To register or to learn how you can become a volunteer Colorado Visions teacher, please click on the links below or contact the Colorado Visions Program Coordinator, Tammy Snow, by email at snowtammy@msn.com, or call
303-856-3835
or 303-321-3104.
• About Colorado Visions Teacher Training
• Colorado Visions Teacher Training Registration
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Caminantes
de Colorado
Camino
a la recuperación Nami de Colorado continua actualizando
su misión de apoyar , educar y proteger los derechos
de todas nuestras familias que han sido afectadas al
tener un ser querido diagnosticado con una enfermedad
mental. Reconocemos y respetamos la diversidad de nuestras
familias y es por esta razón que hemos establecido un
programa educativo que ha sido desarrollado tomando
en consideración los valores culturales de nuestras
familias latinas .
Este
programa educativo es similar a otros programas establecidos
por Nami de Colorado tales como "Familia para familia"
y " Visiones de Colorado " . Este programa educativo
es diferente porque toma en consideración la influencia
de los valores culturales , idioma y necesidades especiales
de nuestras familias latinas en el estado de Colorado.
Caminantes de Colorado es enseñado en español y el contenido
de las clases han sido condensado de manera que en solo
5 semanas nuestras familias logran obtener una base
sólida de los conceptos fundamentales sobre los desordenes
mentales , tratamiento y servicios ofrecidos en el estado
de Colorado. Estas clases son gratis y estan disponibles
ahora.
Para
información sobre horario y lugares de clases llamé a Catherine Benavidez Clayton - Directora de Servicios Multiculturales
, Nami de Colorado al teléfono 303-403-0515 o 303-321-3104
.
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Caminantes
de Colorado on the Way to Recovery
NAMI Colorado continues to lead our families impacted by mental illness on the road to recovery through advocacy, education, and support. In keeping with this goal, and leaving no families behind, we are offering a newly developed educational program specially designed to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of our Latino families in Colorado.
Caminantes de Colorado is similar in content to other educational programs already being offered by NAMI Colorado, such as Family-to-Family and Colorado Visions. However, this educational program is unique in its content and delivery. Caminantes de Colorado is in Spanish with great attention being placed on the influence of cultural values and special needs of the Latino families residing in Colorado.
The content of this educational program has been condensed into 5 weeks to meet the time restrictions of these families. Families completing this program leave with solid knowledge of mental disorders, treatment, and services offered in the state of Colorado.
NAMI Colorado's former Director of Multicultural Services, Luisa Ines Lumbano, directed a team of mental health professionals and cultural informants in the development of this very special program. The first developmental phase of this project was funded by the Nord Foundation. Funds for the completion, implementation and expansion of Caminantes de Colorado are being provided by the Caring for Colorado Foundation and AstraZeneca. NAMI Colorado's current Director of MultiCultural Services is Catherine Benavidez Clayton.
For more information about this program, class schedules,
and locations, you can contact
Catherine Benavidez Clayton by email at cclayrn@msn.com, or call 303-403-0515 or 303-321-3104.
• Register
Your Interest in Upcoming Caminantes Classes
Caminantes De Colorado
Education Classes
NAMI Colorado is offering a 5 week course which is designed to help members of the Latino community recognize mental health issues and learn why, when and where to get treatment. It is important to be a well informed consumer. Classes will be conducted in English/Spanish.
Place
Our Lady Mother of the Church
6690 E. 72nd Ave
Commerce City, Co 80022
7 – 9 pm
Salon Chico/small classroom.
Dates
September 12, 2007: Let’s talk about mental health issues, and identify some of the
major conditions.
September 26, 2007: What is depression and types? Que es el depresio n y que son los tipos de depresio n?
October 10, 2007: Facts about Anxiety – Trastornos de ansiedad.
October 24, 2007 : What is Schizophrenia? Que es la esquizofrenia? How is it treated?
Co mo se trata?
November 7, 2007: How do you discuss your condition with your therapists or counselor. What resources are available to help someone deal with
mental health issues? Tome la oportunidad de estar presente en estas clases y aprender de los servicios y tratamientos que esixten para ayudar a los suyos.
Cost: No fee/ gratis
For information please call: Catherine Benavidez Clayton MS,RN,NP
Multicultural Programs – Servicios Multiculturales
303-321-3184
303-810-5069
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Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
In late 2001 NAMI Colorado adopted WRAP training as its education program for persons with serious mental illness. This program teaches persons with severe mental illness to manage their symptoms in order to avoid relapse and hospitalization and thus helps them to live and work successfully in the community. WRAP can also be adapted for use with parents and caregivers of persons with severe mental illness.
NAMI Colorado partnered with Colorado Mental Health Services to offer WRAP training at our NAMI Colorado Annual Meeting scheduled June 8 and 9, 2002. At this event, Deborah Amesbury, Director of Consumer and Family Affairs for Colorado Mental Health Services, introduced a unique four-track program:
- one for adult consumers
- one for children and adolescents with mental illness
- one for parents of children and adolescent consumers
- one for family members of adult consumers.
HealthONE Alliance is currently funding NAMI Colorado's efforts to expand the availability of this program to consumers and families throughout the State of Colorado. For more information about this program, class schedules, and locations please contact the NAMI office at 303-321-3104.
• View current WRAP class schedule
• Register Your Interest in Attending A Future Training
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Support Group Facilitator Training
Support Group Training for support group leaders is now offered in Colorado. NAMI Colorado plans to offer this training at different locations throughout the state. Cheri Bishop, our Director of Education Programs arranges for these trainings on an as needed basis. You can contact her by email at cbishopnami@aol.com or by calling 303-697-6808 or 303-321-3104.
• Register Interest in Support Group Training
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