All posts by Jeff Cavanagh

About Jeff Cavanagh

Jeff Cavanagh spent his freshman year at St. Petersburg Junior College back in the early 70s before enlisting in the United States Navy. Soon after, he attended Jacksonville University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After college, he was commissioned and became a qualified Surface Warfare Officer spending the next 22 years honing his skills as a ship-handler and expert recruiter before retiring in 1994. Jeff expresses a deep sense of pride in St. Petersburg College due to connections that go back many years. His father, Tom Cavanagh, was a career Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran who taught Geography and Western Civilization at St. Petersburg Junior College in the 60’s and 70’s.

A brief look at the week ahead with NAMI Pinellas County FL, Inc.

General News
 

 

 

Connection Recovery Support Group

A FREE support group led by trained peer facilitators for adults with a mental health condition, regardless of their diagnosis.

Monday, March 20th from 6:00-7:30pm at Empath Health, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater in The Gathering Place, Building 100, Rm “D”,

Tuesday, March 21th from 5:30-7:00pm in the Conference Room of St Pete Public Library Main Branch 3745  9th Ave N, St Petersburg, 33713.

 

Crisis Intervention Team (C. I. T.) Training

Monday, March 20th, NAMI Pinellas will participate with a the Pinellas County Police Department and mental health providers to offer a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (C. I. T.) Training to Law Enforcement Officers.

C. I. T. provides law enforcement-based, crisis intervention training for assisting individuals with a mental illness, and improves the safety of patrol officers, persons in crisis, family members, and citizens within the community. The basic goals are to improve officer, individual, and community safety as well as redirect individuals with mental health conditions from the Judicial System to the Health Care System.

On Friday, March 24th, join us at the C. I. T. Graduation ceremony at Empath Health, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater in The Gathering Place, Bldg 100 at 3:00 pm so we can show our support of the C. I. T. Program.

 

Family-to-Family

Family-to-Family is a 12 week course that offers families information on mental illnesses, treatment, coping skills, and advocacy. 

Monday, March 20th is week 10 of the 12-week Family-to-Family Course 6:00-8:00pm The Centre, in Palm Harbor

Tuesday, March 21th is week 11 of the 12-week Family-to-Family course held  at Northwest Church of Christ in St. Petersburg from 6:00-8:00pm. 

Please contact Vice President, Phyllis Beede at 727-547-8683 or email pbeede12@yahoo.com to register for the next course in St. Petersburg beginning Monday, April 17th or for the next course in Palm Harbor beginning Tuesday, April 18th.

 

Peer-to-Peer

Peer-to-Peer is a free 10-week course which offers tools for recovery in a relaxed, confidential setting.

Wednesday, March 22nd is the 7th week of NAMI 10-week Peer-to-Peer course.  Class meets from 10am-12pm in Portable Classroom 2, of Northwest Church of Christ 6355 38th Avenue North, St Pete, FL 33710. 

Class is full and participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Call the NAMI Center Office at 727-826-0807 if you are interested in registering for future classes.

 

 

Events Coming Up:

Thursday, April 6th is NAMI Florida Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. The groups begin to gather at 9 am at the Kleman Plaza Parking Center, 306 S. Duval Street, 9:15 am where they will march to the Capitol at 10:00 am for a press conference.  Attendees will have opportunities to meet with lawmakers and attend legislative committee meetings.

Thursday, April 6th, Family Support Group meets from 6:00-7:30pm at CSA Palm Harbor 

1500 16th St, Palm Harbor, FL 34683.  Group is facilitated by NAMI trained family members who provide families & caregivers a place to express their concerns and receive encouragement, feedback and hope.

Saturday, April 8th Suncoast’s ArtWalk Night 5:00-9:00, The Gallery 200 Central Ave # 111, St. Petersburg 33701 on corner of 1st Ave S & 2nd St S. For more info about ART HEALS call 727-388-1175. A powerful exhibit featuring artwork created by survivors of sexual violence, with several of St. Pete’s artists and arts organizations.

Thursday, April 13th, our Education Meeting will feature Rosalie Bousher MA, LMHC, RN, to offer Part 2 of her series, “Building Family Relationships.”  NAMI Education Meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of every month and feature a variety of topics related to mental health.

May 5th-7th, Family-to-Family Teacher Training will be offered free at New Hope Church of Christ 11025 131st St, Largo, FL 33774.  Taken a FAMILY-to-FAMILY Course? Loved it? If you are ready to give back and share with others the value of what you have learned through this Evidence-based Program, apply for this FREE Teacher Training.  Call NAMI Pinellas Vice President, Phyllis Beede 727-547-8683 for information and details.

May 6th and 7th, NAMI Connection Facilitator training will be held at Windmoor Health care for individuals living in recovery with a mental health condition.  Interested applicants should have attended a NAMI Connection Group and be recommended to lead group as facilitators.  For more information, call 727-826-0807.  

May Peer-to-Peer training TBA.

Get Hired!

Events, Jobs

As the demand for supply chain professionals grows, employers need to find talent to support this increasing demand. Please join us on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:30PM in ES104 at the Clearwater Campus for an interactive discussion on bridging the supply chain talent gap, capitalizing on career opportunities and unleashing your leadership potential. Great opportunity for face-to-face time with employers who have hiring advice! 

Join your friends and professional associates at St. Petersburg College – Clearwater Campus for an evening filled with insightful information, discussion and effective ways to boost your Supply Chain career. Bring your questions, your Resume and take advantage of valuable networking opportunities with leading area professionals.

Students can RSVP at LINCS@spcollege.edu. 

The event is presented in partnership with our local BAMA, APICS, CSCMP, and ISM professional groups.

VICTORIES FOR VETERANS GRANT PROVIDES VETERANS WITH CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO ACHIEVE EMPLOYMENT

General News, Jobs

Pinellas County, FL – Since October 2016, CareerSource Pinellas’ Veteran Services program staff have served nearly 400 veterans with significant barriers to employment. Thanks to Duke Energy and Tampa Bay Rays $10,000 Victories for Veterans grant those services now include funding for support services and additional employability skills workshops.

A dedicated team of CareerSource Pinellas staff provide priority employment services at the career centers as well as partner agencies throughout the County. These services include resume assistance, job referrals, job training, transportation, work clothes, and other items necessary to remove barriers to a Veterans sustained employment.

“The grant cards provided me with the funds I needed to purchase 2 uniforms that I was required to have as well as fuel needed for my commute to the 3 day orientation in Tampa prior to my starting at my permanent work location here in St. Petersburg,” says Loretta Sims.  “I would not have been able to accept this position without having the funds for those things. I am extremely grateful and I love my new job!”

For every game the Rays won during the 2016 season, the Duke Energy Foundation committed to contribute $1,000 to charities that support veterans in our community. The funding requests were so impactful; Duke Energy went above and beyond and is investing $90,600 in 10 area non-profits through the Victories for Veterans program.

To learn more about CareerSource Pinellas’ services for veterans, please visit www.careersourcepinellas.com or stop by one of career centers located throughout Pinellas County to speak with a full-time staff member trained and dedicated to helping all eligible, qualified veterans in their career goals.

About CareerSource Pinellas

CareerSource Pinellas establishes workforce development and training policies for Pinellas County. For more information on our valuable, no cost resources for businesses and job seekers, please visit www.careersourcepinellas.com.

Follow CareerSource Pinellas on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System to Host Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration in Lee County on March 24

Events, General News

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) will host a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration at the Lee County Healthcare Center on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  The facility is located at 2489 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, FL 33909.

The event will take place in the main lobby located on the first floor of the building and will feature distribution of commemorative 50th anniversary lapel pins and other items, outreach and Veteran advocacy booths, light food and refreshments, music, decorations, and more.  Click here to read more about the commemorative lapel pin.

Vietnam Veterans and their loved ones are invited and encouraged to attend. (Note: A flyer for the event is attached to this communication for printing and sharing)

The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration at the Lee County Healthcare Center is a continuation of several events conducted by the Bay Pines VAHCS to honor Vietnam Veterans as an official commemorative partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration authorized by Public Law 110-181 and by Presidential Proclamation.  Previous events held include:

To learn about future events and more, please visit www.baypines.va.gov and signup to receive email updates. Veterans, family members and others can also connect with the Bay Pines VAHCS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VABayPines, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/vabaypines.

VA’s Rule Establishes a Presumption of Service Connection for Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune

Benefits, General News

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. are effective as of today.

“Establishing these presumptions is a demonstration of our commitment to care for those who have served our Nation and have been exposed to harm as a result of that service,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. David J. Shulkin. “The Camp Lejeune presumptions will make it easier for those Veterans to receive the care and benefits they earned.”

The presumption of service connection applies to active duty, reserve and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (cumulative) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and are diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

  • adult leukemia
  • aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • bladder cancer
  • kidney cancer
  • liver cancer
  • multiple myeloma
  • non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s disease

The area included in this presumption is all of Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, including satellite camps and housing areas.

This presumption complements the health care already provided for 15 illnesses or conditions as part of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. The Camp Lejeune Act requires VA to provide health care to Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune, and to reimburse family members, or pay providers, for medical expenses for those who resided there for not fewer than 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.

 

Former Congressman David Jolly Launches Non-Profit Policy Committee

General News

St. Petersburg, FL – Former Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) is launching Brighter Future Florida Inc. (“Brighter Future”), a non-profit organization created to continue his work on issues important to Pinellas County, Tampa Bay and the State of Florida.

Funded initially with unused money from the 2016 campaign cycle, Brighter Future will focus on veterans’ issues, early childhood education and literacy, community healthcare solutions, and issues impacting local fisheries and the environment. 

“I am committed to continuing the work I started in Congress,” Jolly said. “Brighter Future provides a vehicle to serve our community and to work with people of all political leanings on smart public policy solutions,” Jolly added.  “With Brighter Future, I also hope to demonstrate a commitment to real campaign finance reform. Instead of using unspent money on endless campaign cycles for other candidates, I felt the right thing to do was to pour the money back into the community.”

As an example, Jolly has recently directed funds to I Support Youth, a youth development non-profit in south St. Petersburg, Drug Free America Foundation, and the Jim West Prostate Foundation supporting prostate cancer screenings.

Assisting Jolly with Brighter Future will be Vito Sheeley, who will serve as the non-profit’s senior policy advisor, and John David White, former Chief of Staff to Jolly and a Director with Brighter Future.  The three have spent the last several weeks hosting listening sessions and briefing community leaders on the organization.

“I applaud David and his efforts on behalf of the citizens he has served. Diverse leadership on these important issues is critical for success,” said Janet Long, Chair of the Pinellas County Commission.

“By investing in locally-based programs, Brighter Future can make a real difference in our community.  David’s continued commitment to taking action is the right thing to do,” said Councilwoman Yolanda Roman of the City of Gulfport.

For inquiries or to learn more about Brighter Future, please go to www.brighterfutureflorida.org.

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A Letter From BayPines Employment Re-Entry Services re Vets2PM

General News, Jobs

Good Morning,

I thought I’d share information about a program that is returning to the Tampa Bay area after much success last year.  It’s called Vets2PM; Vets2PM is generally geared towards Veterans who recently transitioned out or Active Duty Personnel that is preparing to transition out out of service.  The organization work with these individuals with assisting in translating their military and leadership experiences into terms that are used to become a Certified Project Manager. In the week long training they also do the required training hours needed to sit through the PMP Test.

Below is the registration link for the class and a complete breakdown of what to expect from Vets2PM, You can send out to any of your contacts or Veterans you’re working with that may be interested.  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vets2pm-pmp-exam-boot-camp-tampa-fl-registration-32096981937

Kindly,

Charles Almeida, USMC

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Employment Re-Entry Services

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center

10000 Bay Pines Blvd.

Bay Pines, FL 33744

 

Charles.AlmeidaJR@va.gov

(727) 398-6661, ext. 17369

(727) 580-2692- Cell

 

Invitation to VACTB Grand Opening

Events, General News

Dear Friends,

As prominent members of the Tampa Bay area, we are very much honored to invite you to attend the Grand Opening of Veteran’s Art Center Tampa Bay. As you may already be aware, The VACTB is Florida’s first art center for Military, Veterans, First Responders and Families providing therapy, healing/ wellness and education programming

The grand opening will be held on Saturday March 25, 2017 from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm at the Veteran’s Art Center located in “Gas Light Square”, 6798 Crosswinds Drive N., St. Petersburg, Florida.

Our Formal Ceremony will being at 3:00PM. The event features art exhibits, tours of the center, street performers, musical guests and special guest speakers throughout the day. The purpose of the event is not only to showcase art created by our local veterans and first responders but also raise awareness for the Center, what we do and how we help.

The generous donations and sponsorships we have received has so far enabled us to meet our short term goals yet we must now concentrate on growing the Center to meet the increasing needs of the veterans and first responders in our area. Your support and help is the only thing that can make this event successful.

Your presence would not only be a tremendous honor for us but would also help us to raise a broader awareness of Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay and the services we provide to the local community.

Thank you for considering our invitation. If you have any questions, you can reach me directly at 813.504.3092 or vactb@outlook.com

We look forward to seeing you at our Grand Opening celebration.

Respectfully yours,

Scott “MACK” Macksam, Major (r) USA

Founder, Executive Director

 

VA Healthcare Emphasizes Healthy Eating

Benefits, Events, General News

Healthy eating: An important component to the overall health and well-being of individuals, and a major focus of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System dietitians in service to Veterans.

One of many tools used to help Veterans achieve a more balanced and nutritious diet is the Healthy Teaching Kitchen – an hour-long cooking demonstration hosted by VA dieticians intended to teach Veterans and their families healthy cooking skills and new recipes.

“The ultimate goal with a Healthy Teaching Kitchen, and anything that we are implementing in our healthcare system, is to look at outcomes in regards to [Veterans’] nutrition status,” said Sharon Hickman, Dietetic Internship Director, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

“By preparing [food] on our own and more healthily in our home setting, we can often achieve [nutritional goals] that we are setting with Veterans,” she said.

Recently, a demonstration was conducted by Bay Pines dietetic interns Jennifer Peters and Kellyn Shollenberger for Veterans who participate in the Bay Pines cancer support group. The menu for the day: Mediterranean quinoa salad with avocado lime dressing.

“What better way to promote nutrition than to show [Veterans] how to cook a recipe, a recipe that they can try, and to see that healthy food can taste good…it is something they can actually create on their own,” said Peters prior to the start of the demonstration.

According to Bay Pines dieticians, Healthy Teaching Kitchens provide Veterans and their families the opportunity to sample foods they may not have tried on their own. Additionally, many demonstrations focus on disease specific conditions like the one for the cancer support group.

“…It tasted great…knowing there were healthy things in [the Mediterranean quinoa salad] that I would normally shy away from. It was pretty tasty,” said U.S. Army Veteran Jerald Simon, who attended the demonstration as a member of the cancer support group.

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, Bay Pines dietetic interns will be conducting several more Healthy Teaching Kitchen demonstrations throughout March. The events will take place in the J.C. Cobb room located on the first floor of the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Click here for address and driving directions.

To learn more about the upcoming demonstrations and nutrition services provided by the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, please call 727-398-6661 extension 10204 or visit: www.baypines.va.gov/services/nutrition_counseling.asp.

VA Secretary Announces Intention to Expand Mental Health Care to Former Servicemembers With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges and in Crisis

Benefits, General News

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin while testifying in a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on March 7, 2017, announced his intention to expand provisions for urgent mental health care needs to former service members with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges. This move marks the first time a VA Secretary has implemented an initiative specifically focused on expanding access to assist former OTH service members who are in mental health distress and may be at risk for suicide or other adverse behaviors.

“The president and I have made it clear that suicide prevention is one or our top priorities,” Shulkin said. “We know the rate of death by suicide among Veterans who do not use VA care is increasing at a greater rate than Veterans who use VA care. This is a national emergency that requires bold action. We must and we will do all that we can to help former service members who may be at risk. When we say even one Veteran suicide is one too many, we mean it.”

It is estimated that there are a little more than 500,000 former service members with OTH discharges. As part of the proposal, former OTH service members would be able to seek treatment at a VA emergency department, Vet Center or contact the Veterans Crisis Line.

“Our goal is simple: to save lives,” Shulkin continued. “Veterans who are in crisis should receive help immediately. Far too many Veterans have fallen victim to suicide, roughly 20 every day. Far too many families are left behind asking themselves what more could have been done. The time for action is now.”

Before finalizing the plan in early summer, Shulkin will meet with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations and Department of Defense officials to determine the best way forward to get these former service members the care they need.

“I look forward to working with leaders like Congressman Mike Coffman from Colorado, who has been a champion for OTH service members,” Shulkin added. “I am grateful for his commitment to our nation’s Veterans and for helping me better understand the urgency of getting this right.”

Veterans in crisis should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 (press 1), or text 838255. Information about the Crisis Line is available at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.