New Jersey Self-Help
Group Clearinghouse
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Below is a schedule of
training workshops offered by the New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
for 2012. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Most of the workshops are free;
however, seating is sometimes limited and pre-registration is usually
required for all workshops. If you are interested in learning more about the
workshops, or would like to be put on the workshop mailing list to be
contacted about workshops in your area, please contact the Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274
or 973-989-1122 or email us. STARTING A SELF-HELP SUPPORT GROUP Whether you are just thinking about starting a mutual aid self-help
group but don't know where to start, or you have a group in the early stages
of development, this workshop was designed for you! The topics include writing
a vision/mission statement, publicizing your group, getting group members to
volunteer, group structure, shared leadership, developing a group format,
being an effective phone contact person, and running your first meeting. The
workshop will also discuss the primary roles of a group facilitator and give
participants an opportunity to try out facilitation skills. ADVANCED FACILITATION SKILLS This interactive workshop is designed for persons who are currently
facilitating a self-help group. This interactive workshop incorporates group
discussion, small group exercises, role playing and a problem-solving session
to help current facilitators learn new, effective facilitation skills. This
workshop covers: active listening skills, dealing with difficult behaviors,
confidentiality, getting the most out of group discussions, finding and
keeping new members, how to avoid “pity parties,” evaluating your
group, time management in small groups, etc. The workshop provides an
opportunity to brainstorm with other group leaders to troubleshoot problems
and exchange proven solutions with each other. This workshop is intended
for current self-help group facilitators and will not cover starting a
self-help group. FACILITATION
TIPS & TECHNIQUES This interactive workshop
is designed for persons who are, or will be, facilitating any type of
self-help support group. The purpose of this workshop is to offer
group facilitators the unique opportunity to address any special issues,
needs, concerns, problems or questions that they might have regarding group
leadership. The workshop offers a chance to meet with other group leaders to
exchange ideas, solutions, frustrations and techniques to make the role of
facilitator easier and more rewarding. The topics covered will be based upon
the needs of the attendees. This workshop does not include information on
starting new groups. For a map of
For additional information on the meeting location, you can click on Meeting Site (under Location/Town) to bring up
the website for the workshop site. To get additional directions, click here
for Map Quest. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Barbara at the Clearinghouse. Workshop Registration For many of the workshops, seating is limited and pre-registration is
required. All workshops are free
unless otherwise stated. (There may be a minimal charge for some of the
Special Interest Workshops below.) There are several ways to register. You can click on the
“Brochure” for the workshop that you wish to attend. Print out
the brochure, fill it in and send it to the Clearinghouse (along with your
check if required) to: Attn: Workshop,
NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse, Advocacy
Skills for Mental Health Consumers
– Workshop presents ways that consumers of mental health can help themselves and others in the
practice of self-advocacy skills. For
information or to schedule a workshop contact Ed Madara at 1-800-367-6274. Ideas
for Bringing Wellness & Recovery Elements Into Your Self-Help Group
Using WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) WHERE: Morris County
Library, 30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany, NJ WHEN: Thursday,
June 21, 2012, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Free, open to all Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is an evidence-based method that helps persons find
and stay on the path to wellness and recovery. It can be used effectively for
those who are dealing with any type of chronic
illness (either mental or physical), an addiction, or are facing a stressful
life situation. WRAP helps persons learn and identify wellness tools and activities
that can help them to feel and stay well. It helps persons to recognize and
deal with their symptoms earlier, hopefully before they get to a crisis
state. WRAP also helps persons develop
“action plans” that can be
used to help deal with triggers and alleviate troublesome symptoms. WRAP is
based on self-determination and personal responsibility. It opens the door to
wellness & recovery for individuals but doesn't dictate their path. Many self-help support groups have found that incorporating some
of the basic elements of WRAP into
their existing group structure, helps their members strive for better ways in
which to deal with their symptoms and situations, while focusing on wellness
and recovery. Just like going on a diet or quitting a bad habit, using a
group as a venue for support and accountability can make a big difference in
the outcome. Incorporating some of the elements of WRAP into a self-help
group encourages members to make a weekly commitment to their own wellness
and recovery process. In a group, participants learn wellness tools and
strategies through their own experience and the experience of others. In
addition, hearing what others use as their strategies for wellness, support
systems, and early warning signs can help members to learn about their own. The workshop will discuss various group activities and discussion
topics based on the elements of WRAP. Incorporating these activities into
your group can help your members learn some very effective tools and
strategies to help them find and stay on a personal path to wellness and
recovery. These activities can be used as weekly, or as fill-ins when group
discussions wane. To register or to get more information
contact Barbara at the NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274 or
send an email to: bwhite@saintclares.org For a brochure, click here
â
ANY OTHER IDEAS...SUGGESTIONS? Do you have any ideas or requests
on new types of workshops that the Clearinghouse might offer? Let us know. We
are always open to new ideas and we might be able to develop a new type of
workshop. Email or call Barbara at the Clearinghouse with your ideas. WE ARE ALWAYS
LOOKING FOR MEETING SITES FOR OUR WORKSHOPS. Do you have
or know of a possible site available free of charge? Does your group or
agency have an available conference or meeting room large enough to hold
20-30 people? Would you like to have the Clearinghouse present a workshop at
your site for your group and other community groups in your area? If yes, email or call Barbara at the Clearinghouse. We
may be able to schedule a workshop at your site. The New Jersey
Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is sometimes available to give individual,
specialized presentations to self-help
groups, self-help centers, colleges, schools, health departments, government,
and other non-profit
agencies (especially at statewide conferences, staff meetings, and other
larger gatherings). The presentations are free (although donations
will never be turned down) and are scheduled according to Clearinghouse staff
availability. The presentations can cover such topics as: ·
Understanding Self-Help Groups: (Services of the
Clearinghouse, benefits of self-help groups, current research, when and how to
make referrals to groups, transitioning professionally-run groups into member
run groups, how professionals can start or support self-help groups, etc.). ·
How to Run a More Effective Group: (Finding and keeping members, establishing ground rules, publicity,
getting members involved, developing safe, comfortable, open environments for
groups, maximizing group discussions, dealing with difficult behaviors, small
group exercises, self-esteem, active listening, etc). ·
WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan):
(Overview of WRAP, incorporating WRAP into your self-help group, promoting
wellness & recovery through groups, or using WRAP to help deal with
diabetes or other chronic illnesses) ·
Developing Safety Plans and Buddy Systems:
(Covers crisis intervention techniques, how to develop a “buddy
system,” and safety plan tools) ·
Shared Leadership: (Preventing leader
burnout, getting others to volunteer, the impact of developing a
“group’s group,” etc.) ·
Finding and Keeping Members: (Publicity, marketing, meeting member’s needs, mission
statements) ·
Problem Solving for Self-Help Groups: (Easy problem-solving tools including reframing, positive feedback,
strategy sharing, and others) ·
Active Listening: (Benefits of active listening,
barriers to listening, empathic listening, active listening as a conflict
management tool) ·
Self-Help In Action: The participants will have the opportunity
to experience a self-help group first-hand. The meeting can be set-up in a
self-help group format to give attendees hands-on experience on the benefits
of group participation. If
you are interested in having the Clearinghouse conduct a free presentation,
please call the Clearinghouse or email Barbara Not a Non-Profit? The New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is
sometimes available to conduct specialty workshops for the for-profit sector
for a small fee. Each workshop can be custom-tailored (within the scope of
our repertoire) to meet the needs of the attendees. The workshop can cover:
benefits and availability of self-help groups, how to start a support group,
easy problem-solving techniques, shared leadership, dealing with difficult
behaviors, active listening, and small group facilitation skills. The cost
of the workshop varies according to the length of the requested workshop but
usually runs $100/hour. For information, please contact Barbara White
at the Clearinghouse. Any questions? Call us at
1-800-367-6274 or 973-989-1122 Last Updated May 2012 |
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The New Jersey
Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is a program of Saint Clare’s
Health System and is made possible by funding from the NJ Division of Mental Health Services.
This website is made possible through the generous support of Medical Education Fund |