DAVENPORT, IA:  July 28, 2015 -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Greater Mississippi Valley (NAMI GMV) is pleased to offer 2 opportunities to participate in the Family-to-Family Education Program this fall:

In Davenport:

NAMI GMV Office

1706 Brady St, Suite 101

- 12 Wednesdays -

September 2–November 18, 2015

6pm–8:30pm

Davenport class participants must register through the NAMI GMV Office: 563-322-8870

In Muscatine:

Muscatine Comm. College

152 Colorado St.

- 12 Thursdays -

September 10 -December 3, 2015

6pm–8:30pm

Muscatine class participants must register through the college: 563-288-6100; Reference Course#: 159532

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a FREE 12-session course taught by other family members who have a loved one dealing with the challenges of living with a mental illness.  These family members receive intensive training from the class presentation.  Instruction and course materials are provided FREE to class participants.

Class topics include :

• Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder.

• borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.

• Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence.

• Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and evidence-based treatments to promote recovery.

• Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness.

• Problem solving, listening, and communication techniques.

• Acquiring strategies for handling mental health crises and relapse.

• Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload.

• Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community.

• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand mental health services.

Testimonials:

"I was empowered by the education I received in the Family To Family program offered by NAMI.  I also found peace in knowing our family was not alone in this battle of mental illness."   Laurie E., Bettendorf, IA

"For families to advocate for their loved one, they must be knowledgeable; Family to Family offers up to date information that is invaluable when helping their loved one cope with the journey that is mental illness."

Jamie Kreuger - Davenport, IA

"Taking the NAMI Family to Family Class in the fall of 2005 empowered me to help my son struggling with schizophrenia in ways I would never have dreamed possible."

Suzanne Wiese - Davenport, IA

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope.

http://www.namigmv.org (Local)

http://www.nami.org (National)

http://www.namiiowa.com (NAMI Iowa)

With U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley

Q: How has the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) shaped American society?

A: The landmark civil rights law this summer observes 25 years since President George H.W. Bush signed the bill on July 26, 1990.  Iowans will recall that one of the key architects of the legislation was my long-time Iowa colleague in the United States Senate. Throughout his years of public service, Sen. Tom Harkin built upon his advocacy to champion change for those living with a disability so that they may participate more fully in American society. In the last 25 years, the ADA has helped remove barriers to education, employment, transportation and access to public places and services. Perhaps the most influential change in the quarter century since passage of the ADA is a shift in expectations for the millions of Americans who live with a disability. For those who previously identified with the limits of their disability rather than embracing the potential of their skills and talents, the ADA has raised society's bar of expectations to foster integration and inclusion in our schools, communities and places of work. For individuals who live with a physical or mental impairment, the ADA affords equality under the law to enjoy the rights and responsibilities of citizenship like Americans who do not have a disability. An entire generation has grown up with the ADA as the law of the land. To the extent that the ADA has worked to erase a divide between those living with or without a disability, this 25^th anniversary of the ADA gives us reason to celebrate. It's good for America when public policy encourages Americans to dream big in their pursuit of happiness and prosperity.

Q: What is the Transition to Independence Act?

A: Just as the ADA has helped pave the way for millions of Americans to more fully participate in American society, policymakers can do more to help people with disabilities achieve integrated employment in the U.S. workforce. In communities across the country, a network of service providers helps to make it possible for people with disabilities to live and work alongside non-disabled peers. By far, Medicaid is the largest program that provides the financial framework that pays for services for people with disabilities, such as primary health care, community-based care, transportation, workforce training and residential support services. Just as the ADA served as a catalyst to help individuals with disabilities integrate more fully in their communities and achieve their God-given potential, the Transition to Independence Act seeks to build on that progress and give even more individuals with disabilities real opportunities to land a job in their local communities. The bipartisan bill I introduced this summer is a consensus proposal with broad support and includes valuable input from key advocacy groups that are committed to help individuals with disabilities achieve maximum success in their communities. The bill would create a five-year, 10-state pilot program within Medicaid. The participating states would qualify for bonus payments if reforms they adopt help drive better outcomes for people striving to become productive contributors and wage-earners in their local communities. The demonstration program would change the financial formula to give states incentives rather than disincentives to reform business-as-usual among the multi-disciplinary patchwork of service providers serving this community. States would be rewarded for improving outcomes and helping individuals with disabilities seeking to secure maximum participation in the local job market. For example, states could receive more funding for growing the workforce that provides support services for the disabled community. States could increase their revenue stream by implementing reforms that encourage collaboration among a mishmash of agencies and service providers. In a nutshell, participating states would be rewarded for achieving targets of integrated employment.

People living with disabilities have every right to pursue the American Dream. So many families and individuals with disabilities I have talked with tell me they want to earn money in a fulfilling job. I'm all for championing ambition and rewarding a strong work ethic. That's why I'm working to craft public policy that will help even more individuals with disabilities to join the workforce, earn a paycheck, pay taxes and contribute to their local economies. For those who are able to participate in an integrated work setting and maximize their potential in the local community, my bill would improve the policy tools to help drive inclusion and better outcomes for people with disabilities.

Davenport, Iowa (August 2015) - Gilda's Club will host Ruth Laabs-Wilcox, LMSW, in a discussion about coping with the cost of cancer treatment on Thursday, August 6th, 5:30 p.m. at Gilda's Club, 1234 East River Drive, Davenport, IA.

This free educational workshop is designed for people living with cancer and their loved ones. Participants will gain practical advice on how to navigate the numerous and complex challenges of managing the cost of cancer care. Advanced Registration is preferred as dinner is included.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa made the following comment on the Senate's vote that came short of a procedural step on a vote to repeal the President's health care law.  Grassley voted in favor of the procedural step toward repealing the law.