"Working everyday to promote recovery. One challenge; one voice."
Our newsletters ....
Member of the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
|
How to Contact Us:1-877-IAHOPE4Uinfo@iarecovery.org225 West Street, Dubuque, Iowa 520012011 Recovery in Iowa Conference in Des Moines May 16th and 17th
The Pillars of Peer Support
Olmstead PlanOlmstead is a 1999 Supreme Court decision based on an important lawsuit by two women in recovery. These women had mental disabilities and their providers were recommending they live in their communities with support. Despite this, the state of Georgia tried to force the women to live in an institution. Instead, the women sued Georgia and won! The Olmstead Decision by the Supreme Court supports the Americans with Disabilities Act by saying that states and communities have a responsibility to provide community-based services to support people in living in their hometowns. Forcing people to live in institutions is a form of segregation and discrimination. How is Olmstead important to me? Iowa is working hard right now to develop an “Olmstead Plan” so we are in agreement with this federal law. What kinds of services or supports help you to get by and live in your community now? What kinds of services or supports would be even more helpful? To read a copy of the Olmstead Plan, download it here. The Iowa Advocates for need your voice!
The Iowa Advocates in Washington
Spread the story of recovery!By speaking ...The Healing Voices campaign is another way to spread the word that recovery happens and erode stigma in Iowa. By sharing your personal story of hope and recovery attitudes change as the power of recovery is understood. To learn more about Healing Voices call Mike Wood at (712) 255-1691 or email info@hopetalks.com. Just the Beginning ...Consumers of mental health services in most states have been organized for some time. Iowa has finally begun the process. Dr. Daniel Fisher, Director of the National Empowerment Center, met with Iowa consumer and family members during the last week of April 2007. With Dr. Fisher was Molly Cisco, Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Empowerment Project. Those gathered represented many areas of Iowa, were associated with a variety of organizations, and held a variety of views on mental health. However, all believed in the potential to recover and unanimously had a desire to give something back. Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery is the result of those meetings. Our MissionCreate opportunities for advancing hope and recovery for all by transforming our community and the mental health system it reflects to one of respect and trust by educating, advocating and empowering. Our Values1. Everyone can recover. 2. There is hope for every person. 3. Use your life’s pain to guide, encourage, an empower others. 4. Everyone should have equal access to mental health treatment regardless of county of settlement. 5. Peer support is essential to mental health. 6. People with lived experience should organize to become a stronger voice in the transformation of mental health. 7. People with lived experience should be accorded basic human rights – to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. back to top ... Common Elements of RecoveryHope and Optimism, a positive belief in one’s ability to live a full and meaningful life despite having, or having had, a mental illness and a belief in future possibilities. Consumer Choice and Autonomy, the ability to make one’s own decisions regarding programs, activities and treatment and the ability to pursue one’s own interests. Respect and Dignity, being appreciated as a person with value and being treated with courtesy, fairness and kindness and being recognized with talents and capabilities. Partnership, recognizing the importance of identifying one’s own needs and goals and sharing in decision making. Empowerment in Personal Control, trusting in one’s self to get better and resume or attain a satisfying life while assuming self management and accepting personal responsibility. Restoration and Personal Growth, encouraging an expansion of capabilities and fostering self-confidence and self-esteem. Self Acceptance and Healing, promoting self awareness and permitting personal forgiveness. Adaptability and Capacity to Improve, recognizing one's potential and ability and have opportunities to contribute. Become a MemberTo become a member of this movement contact us via email at info@iarecovery.org or call 1-877-IAHOPE4U.
|
The Recovery in Iowa Conference will take place at the Holiday on Merle Hay Road In Des Moines on May 16th and 17th. 
In November of 2009, the Carter
Center (former president Jimmy’s wife
Rosalyn is a long time champion of
persons in recovery) sponsored a big
meeting or “Summit” between some of
the people developing peer support in
their states. The purpose of the
meeting was to create a set of
recommendations for states to follow if
they want to get peer support services
running well. Download a copy of the Pillars of Peer Support 
The Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery need your voice! "Nothing about us, without us" means that we need to hear from YOU in order to make the Recovery in Iowa newsletter and this organization a powerful force for the healing and recovery of individual people and the healing and recovery of our local and state behavioral health service systems. Please consider sharing your news, thoughts, inspirations, dreams, recovery tips, creativity and more with our editorial and publishing team. All you need is a heart that wants to share, and some way to get the sharing to us! We'll accept audio and video tapes (we could put your short home-made film or blog onto the website version of the newsletter), emails, attachments, hand-written letters, artwork in many forms and the list goes on! If you're interested in joining our team or making a contribution to Recovery in Iowa, contact Todd Lange, President at 1-877-IAHOPE4U or info@iarcovery.org
Last month, members of the National Coalition Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations met with Lee Perselay, Disability Counsel for the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and a member of Senator Tom Harkin's staff. Lauren Spiro, Director of Public Policy for the National Coalition, Todd Lange, Executive Director of the Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery (IAMHR) and Lee Perselay discussed issues including the importance of mental health within the greater health care reform initiative. Other topics included the importance of community-based services and the empowerment of people with lived experience throughout the country, including Sen. Harkin's home state of Iowa.