On September 30, 2008 at the Co-Occurring Disorders Conference held at the Yakima Convention Center
Executive Director; Clifford Thurston won the 2008 CODIAC
(Co-Occurring Disorders Interagency Advisory Committee)
Exemplary Advocate Award for outstanding leadership and contributions.
WORLDBRIDGER'S Director Clifford Thurston presented our evaluation of the Transformation Project at the Washington Behavorial Healthcare Conference this past June 12, 2008 at Yakima. His presentation
reflected the evolution of the New Century Empowerment Project from conducting a regional Needs Assessment to evaluating statewide Block Grant Proposals.
On January 14th, 2008 our Consumer-run Service Bill HB1022 was reintroduced into the Washington State Legislature at Olympia. Click on http://leg.wa.gov and click on Bill Information on the left hand side of page then enter 1022 to view.
On July 18th and 19th, 2007 New Century conducted a Needs Assessment and Roundtable Discussion at Highline West-Seattle Community Mental Health Center at their Burien Campus.
On Monday April 16, 2007 the Washington Institute for Mental Illness Training awarded $5,000.00 to the New Century Empowerment Project. This funding comes from the University of Washington via Washington State's Mental Health Transformation Project.
New Century will conduct a workshop entitled "Transformation in Action" on Thursday June 14th, 2007 at the Washington Community Mental Health Council's Annual Conference to be held in Yakima at the Yakima Convention Center. Confernece runs from June 13th to 15th.
On December 18th, 2006 the Consumer-run Service bill was prefilled at the Washington State legislature and is now known as HB1022 in the House of Representatives for 2007-2008.
Two exciting new developments for October 2006. 1) On the 18th the Washington State Code Revisor's Office releases the Senate Companion Bill to our (Consumer-run Service Act) House Bill for the 2007 Legislative Session. 2) On the 17th the New Century Empowerment Project proposal was forwarded to the Governor's Office for consideration to the Governor's 2007 Budget.
CHANGE:Our next regular meeting will be held on Saturday September 16th, 2006 at the Three Rivers Convention Center; Kennewick, WA.
On Tuesday August 8th, 2006 Clifford Thurston was elected Vice-Chair at the very first meeting of the new Adult Consumer Subcommittee of Washington State's Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council giving us a stronger voice for Consumer run services.
On Friday July 14th, 2006 the future unfolds with the Grand Opening of The Infinity Center a Consumer-run Drop In Center at Western State Hospital; Steilacoom, Washington.
On Tuesday June 27, 2006 New Century at the King County Recovery Initiative Committee Meeting was recognized by the King County Regional Support Network as being "Five years ahead of everybody".
On April 20th, 2006 New Century joined Governor Gregoire's "Community Transformation Partnership" further establishing our position as Washington's statewide consumer organization.
Dan Fisher, Executive Director of The National Empowerment Center has accepted our invitation to speak at this years 2006 CODIAC (Co-Occuring Disorders Interagency Advisory Committee); Washington State Department of Social and Health Services) Conference to be held at the Yakima Convention Center on September 18th and 19th. Dan's recovery and work in the field were recognized by his selection as a member of the White House Commission on Mental Health. To learn more about the National Empowerment Center please click on: http://www.power2u.org
WORLDBGRIDGERS formerly New Century Consumer Coalition is a 501 c 3 nonprofit corporation that offers information and technical assistance on consumer-run mental health programs across the state of Washington that includes:
1) Community Needs Assessments.
2) Assisting consumer/peer groups to obtain resources.
3) Facilitate consumer-run programs.
4) Provide necessary training, expertise and knowledge to consumers.
5) Facilitating in the collection and dissemination of research findings, evaluations and data related to consumer/peer programs.
6) Identifying, disseminating and applying best practices on consumer/peer programs.
7) Consumer-run business startup assistance.
On Thursday June 23rd, 2005 at the Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference held in Yakima, Washington, New Century; Director Clifford Thurston was Awarded The ORCA Award (Outreach, Recovery, and Consumer Advocacy) by the Office of Consumer Affairs; Mental Health Division; State of Washington.
The next meeting of the Joint Legislative Executive Task Force on Mental Health Services and Financing to be announced. Click on http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Joint/Committees/MHTF/reports for more Task Force information
Contact Clifford Thurston at 206 852-2338 for more information.