New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse

In NJ, dial: 1-800-367-6274  ...That’s 1-800-FOR-M.A.S.H. (Mutual Aid Self-Help)

Outside NJ call: 1-973-989-1122

 

 

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Workshop Descriptions

 

Training Workshop Schedule

 

Special Interest Workshops 

 

Group / Agency Presentations

 

 

 

 

 Workshop DESCRIPTIONS

 

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.

 

Training Workshop Schedule

 

For a map of New Jersey click here.

 

 

DATE

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

REGISTER

BY EMAIL

DAY & TIME

BROCHURE

LOCATION

TOWN (COUNTY)

05/21/12

CANCELLED

How to Start An Effective Self-Help Group

Send Email

CANCELLED

Brochure

CANCELLED

 

06/09/12

Facilitation Tips & Techniques

Send Email

Saturday,

12:30 pm – 4:00pm

Brochure

Wayne Public Library

(Wayne – Passaic County)

 

06/21/12

Ideas for Bringing Wellness & Recovery Elements Into Your Self-Help Group Using WRAP

Send

Email

Thursday,

6:30 pm – 8:30pm

 

Brochure

Morris County Library

(Whippany)

07/12/12

How to Start An Effective Self-Help Group

Send Email

Thursday

6:30 pm –

9:00 pm

Brochure

Kensington Court

(Tinton Falls NJ

Monmouth County

 

Aug 2012

Facilitation Tips & Techniques

Send Email

To be Announced

Brochure

To Be Announced

(Southern NJ)

 

Sep 2012

How to Start An Effective Self-Help Group

Send Email

To be Announced

Brochure

To Be Announced

(Northern NJ)

 

Oct 2012

Facilitation Tips & Techniques

Send Email

To be Announced

Brochure

To Be Announced

(Central NJ)

 

Nov 2012

How to Start An Effective Self-Help Group

Send Email

To be Announced

Brochure

To Be Announced

(Southern NJ)

 

Dec 2012

Evening of Facilitation Tips & Techniques

Send Email

To be Announced

Brochure

To Be Announced

(Northern NJ)

 

 

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, 375 E. McFarlan St., Dover, NJ 07801. If the workshop does not charge a fee, you may register by sending an email with your name, group (if applicable) and phone number. You may also call the Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274 to register.

 

 

Special Interest Workshops 

 

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.

 

  

Group / Agency Presentations

 

 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

 

 

           

 

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