What's New
This page provides a summary of the latest Updates, Changes, and Highlights to our website as well as a listing of important Special Notices.
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Updates 
Changes Highlights
- Education and Training…
Online Self-Study Courses - Now take select courses anytime, anywhere! Advocacy Unlimited's online self-study courses are open to all our website visitors and offered at no cost.
Recovery University - Training and certification for Recovery Support Specialists, Peer Delivered Services, developed and hosted by Advocacy Unlimited. See Recovery University for complete program details.
Young Adult Program - For information about AU's Young Adult "Super Advocate" Program, see Super Advocate.
Anyone interested in applying for upcoming Advocacy Education Courses can submit an application now. You can apply online, or you can download and print a copy of the application.
For complete information about AU's comprehensive Recovery and Advocacy Education, see Education Programs Overview.
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- Events and Announcements…
Free Cell Phones and Minutes - SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible consumers. See Free Cell Phones for more info. También disponible en español.
Oscar Nominee a Mental Health Advocate - Oscar nominee and Inspire Awards 2009 Honoree Glenn Close is spearheading a national advertising campaign intended to diminish the stigma of mental illness. See Glenn Close announcement, and BringChange2Mind, the not-for-profit national anti-stigma campaign born out of a partnership between Glenn Close and Fountain House, where Glenn volunteered in order to learn about mental illness which both her sister and nephew suffer from.
GED Classes - Advocacy Unlimited, in conjunction with CCAR, is now offering GED classes. Take this opportunity to transform your future! See GED for more info.
Search the Internet and raise money for AU - Did you know you can help raise money for Advocacy Unlimited just by searching the Internet? That's right! Just use GoodSearch (powered by Yahoo!) for all your Internet searches, designating AU as your selected charity. Every time you do, GoodSearch will donate a portion of their revenue to AU. How simple is that !?! Learn more.
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- Resource Library…
SafeLink Wireless: Free Cell Phones and Minutes - SafeLink Wireless Community Outreach Program Launched: SafeLink Wireless is a Federally-funded program that provides free cell phones and minutes with no contracts, no recurring fees, and no monthly charges to low incomes families. See SafeLink Wireless for links to Safelink's official website and complete details. También disponible en español.
Scholarships for Persons with Disabilities - A great number of scholarships exist for people with disabilities, ranging from financial aid for students with learning disabilities to scholarships for disabled veterans to grants for students with vision loss, hearing loss, and mobility impairments, among others. See Scholarships in the Resource Library.
Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy - If you are on Medicare Part D, you might be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy that provides financial assistance to help you afford your medications. See Low Income Subsidy for more info and how to apply.
Recovering Your Mental Health - SAMHSA's series of self-help guides providing facts, strategies, and ideas that consumers/survivors have found helpful in exercising best practices in promoting wellness and preventing illness. See Recovering Your Mental Health.
Connecticut's Network of Care for Behavioral Health - The Network of Care site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features.
People First Language: Dignity, Not Semantics - Article by AU's Founding Director, Yvette Sangster: "…it is about dignity and a right for people to be treated with respect."
Connecticut Shelters - Contact info for food, homeless, and emergency shelters in Connecticut.
Prescription Drug Interactions - A very handy interactive tool for checking drug interactions. This interactive tool is driven by a database of more than 5,000 drugs, vitamins, and herbals and 11,500 potential interactions. See Drug Interactions.
Malta House of Care - Free basic health care for the uninsured in the greater Hartford area! See Malta House for details
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- Job Opportunities…
Connecticut Job Postings - Job openings primarily in the behavioral healthcare field in Connecticut with information on how to apply.
More Resources - In addition to specific openings posted on our Job Opportunities page, there are links to several other online resources that list job openings for persons with disabilities. You can find those links in Other Employment Resources.
Help Getting a Job - Information and resources are available to help with job searching, resume writing, interviewing skills, and more. See Help Getting a Job.
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- Links to Related Sites…
MARC, Inc. of Manchester - MARC, Inc. of Manchester is a not-for-profit organization which supports people with disabilities, empowering them to live, work, and enjoy all their community has to offer.
HealthyPlace.com - HealthyPlace.com is the largest consumer mental health site, providing comprehensive, trusted information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view.
Teen Challenge New England - Teen Challenge is a 15 to 21-month Christian residential drug recovery program with an incredible success rate for graduates. 86.6% of graduates after seven years remain drug and crime free, as opposed to 6-7% rate for secular programs. It is part of a network of 10 Teen Challenge centers across New England and New Jersey. See the link to Teen Challenge New England.
No Kidding, Me Too! - Entertainment industry members unite to de-stigmatize mental illness. For more info and a link to No Kidding, Me Too founder Joe Pantoliano's (The Sopranos) in-depth interview on NBC News with Brian Williams, see No Kidding, Me Too!
No Stigma (National Mental Health Awareness Campaign) - Public education campaign dedicated to battling the stigma, shame, and myths surrounding mental disorders that prevent so many people from getting the help they need.
See our complete listing of links to other online resources providing pertinent help and information.
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- Advocate's Connection…
AU Graduate Advocates can stay in touch with one another, get information on special Advocate only events and notices, and more. Sign in to Advocate's Connection to learn more.
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Special Notices
- Help for persons or families experiencing Medicaid/HUSKY application delays
There has been a serious problem in processing Medicaid/HUSKY applications for benefits through DSS, as the caseloads have increased and as the number of caseworkers has shrunk due to early retirements and some planned staff reductions. Anyone with ongoing medical needs who has been waiting long past these deadlines for DSS to act on their Medicaid or HUSKY application is asked to contact New Haven Legal Assistance Association (LAA) as soon as possible and give them permission to refer their situation to legal services. See Help for Medicaid/HUSKY application delays for details.
- 2010 Dr. Karen Kangas Award Winner
Advocacy Unlimited and its Board of Directors are honored to have presented the 2010 Dr. Karen Kangas Award for Excellency in Advocacy to Harvard graduate Kathleen Flaherty, a long time dedicated advocate with 12 years experience in poverty law and a particular focus on housing, benefits, and consumer law. Read more at 2010 Dr. Kangas Award.
- 2009 Dr. Karen Kangas Award Winner
DMHAS Commissioner Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D, (retired ) was presented with the 2009 Dr. Karen Kangas Award for Excellence in Advocacy during AU's 38th Graduation Ceremony held July 8th. Read the full story at 38th Graduation.
- 2008 Dr. Karen Kangas Award Winner
Congratulations to advocate extraordinaire and former P & A Director Susan Werboff, recipient of the 2008 Dr. Karen Kangas Award for Excellency in Advocacy! Susan is a long time advocate for persons with psychiatric disabilities having helped 1,000's of persons with psychiatric disabilities, often being selflessly available for them regardless of the time of day or night. See 2008 Dr. Kangas Award.
- Charter Oak Health Plan - It's here! Connecticut's new affordable health care. For the first time, adults in Connecticut who aren't lucky enough to get health insurance on the job will have access to decent, affordable coverage. See Connecticut's Health Care for details and how to apply.
- No Kidding, Me Too! - Entertainment industry members unite to de-stigmatize mental illness. See No Kidding, Me Too! for more info and a link to No Kidding, Me Too founder Joe Pantoliano's (The Sopranos) in-depth interview on NBC News with Brian Williams.
- Message from the Office of the Commissioner
In a Message from the Office of the Commissioner, DMHAS Commissioner Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D., highlighted several individuals who had received small grants at an awards meeting of the Regional Consumer Advisory Council (Region 4). Included in the group was AU staff member Selina Welborn. See Commissioner Kirk's Recovery in Action message.
- AU Advocate receives Public Service Award
AU Advocate Sharon Johnson-Carter has received the Secretary of the State's 2006 Public Service Award. Congratulations, Sharon! The ceremony, held March 29th at Welte Hall on the CCSU Campus, was hosted by Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. See Public Service Award for details.
- AU receives 2006 Spirit of the ADA Award
AU is proud to have received a 2006 Spirit of the ADA Award. The award was presented to AU, along with the other nominees, on July 26, 2006 at the Second Annual Spirit of the ADA Celebration sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Network. See Spirit of the ADA Award.
- AU Advocates featured in Danbury News-Times
Danbury AU Advocates were honored at a graduation ceremony held December 14, 2005. The graduation and two of the graduates were featured in an article published by the Danbury News-Times. See Danbury Graduation for more.
- Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
Prescription Drug Assistance Programs now contains links to more organizations whose purpose is to offer information about, or assistance with, Patient Assistance Programs that provide free medications for a small processing fee to low-income individuals and families. Please be sure to read all the requirements and qualifications.
- "On our Own, Together" features chapter on AU
"On our Own, Together: Peer Programs for People with Mental Illness," by Sally Clay (Editor), includes a chapter about Advocacy Unlimited written by AU's Founding Director Yvette Sangster. See On our Own, Together.
- Section 8 Waiting List
The State of Connecticut has established a website where anyone can easily find out which Section 8 waiting lists in Connecticut are currently open. You can see a list of open waiting lists, and you can also register to receive notice whenever a list opening is posted. See Section 8 Waiting List for more info and a link to the site.
- 2004 Media Awards
Advocacy Unlimited is honored and proud to have been presented with the 2004 Stigma Buster award at the 17th Annual Mental Illness Awareness Media Awards presentation. See Media Awards 2004 for more info.
- DMHAS Commissioner pays tribute to AU's Advocacy Education training
AU would like to thank DMHAS Commissioner Dr. Thomas A. Kirk, Jr. for his tribute to AU's Advocacy Education Course and our Fall 2003 semester graduates in his message "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." AU is proud of all our graduates, and all of us truly appreciate the Commissioner's recognition. See Commissioner Kirk's message.
- Connecticut adopts Recovery-Oriented Policy
In a major step forward, the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) adopted their Recovery Oriented Service Policy on September 17, 2002. See the Commissioner's Policy Statement.
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