$7.7 Million Cuts – Phone-In Day on Tuesday October 19th: As we all now know, the Senate is planning to return to Albany on November 18th, after the election. Now, during the election season, is the best time to contact members of the Senate and Assembly, to urge them to restore the Governor’s veto of Aid to Localities funding. These cuts will have a major impact to many recipient operated programs. In addition, if we are to be successful, we must demonstrate that these cuts will have large scale negative financial ramifications to the state because a cut in services will lead to increased hospitalizations, more contact with the criminal justice system and increased hospital room visits.

In this effort, we are organizing a phone-in day to members of the legislature and a letter writing campaign, asking them to restore the funding for the crucial programs inpacted by these cuts. The Phone-In will take place on October 19th (additional information follows below). We are also working on a draft letter for MHAs to send to your elected representatives and more information on that will be forthcoming.

 

Mental Health Voter Empowerment: On October 25th, the Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project (MHVEP), together with ClearView Center, Inc., will be sponsoring a Candidate Forum for three state legislative races covering part of, if not all of, Albany County. The candidates in these races include Neil Breslin and Michael Connors, vying for the 46th Senate District, John McEneny and Joseph Sorce, vying for the 104th Assembly District, and Robert Prentiss and Robert Reilly vying for the 109th Assembly District.

The Candidate Forum will provide voters with an interest in issues related to mental health with the opportunity to gain an insight into the views of these candidates on these issues.

The Candidate Forum will be held on Monday, October 25th, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Egg at the Empire State Plaza. We hope that those in the Capital Disctrict with an interest in mental health issues will be attend and help make this event a success.

 

Parents with Psychiatric Disabilities: MHANYS’ annual Parents with Psychiatric Disabilities (PWPD) conference, held on October 8th was an incredible success. Close to 100 individuals participated in the conference and witnessed excellent presentations from a variety of presenters. Special thanks must be paid to the Office of Mental Health (OMH) for their support of the conference, to Commission on Quality of Care (CQC) Chair Gary O’Brien for his presentation, and to MHANYS’ Helena Davis, for pulling the whole confererence together.

 

MHANYS’ Legislative Public Hearing: On November 10th, coinciding with MHANYS’ Awards Luncheon, we will hold the seventh annual public hearing on MHANYS’ Legislative Agenda for the 2005 Legislative Session. We hope that you will consider joining us to provide us with your thoughts and comments. Or, if you are unable to join us, we hope that you will provide us with your comments in writing. Information regarding the public hearing follows below.

 

MHANYS’ Annual Conference: MHANYS is planning our first ever annual conference in May. Details will follow in the coming weeks.

 

Timothy’s Law: Please find information regarding the Timothy’s Law rally planned for the Senate’s return to Albany on November 18th below. We hope that you can join us for what is shaping up to be an historic event here in Albany.

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This Tuesday (October 19) join with your
colleagues and help turn the tides on the
pending ‘Aid to Localities’ reductions.

Here are the facts:
According to the State Office of Mental Health, programs and services that are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement (and so, PROS eligible) are exempted from these cuts.

This leaves the following programs and services in jeopardy of a significant reduction:
Advocacy Services * Coordinated Children's Services Initiative * Crisis Services * Drop In Centers * Family Support Services * Homeless (Reinvestment) * Homemaker * Local Administration * Multicultural Initiatives * Outreach * Peer Advocacy * Recreation * Respite Services * School Based Initiatives * Self-Help Programs * Sheltered Workshop* Transportation

Make the Call on October 19!

Assembly Switchboard – 518-455-4100
Senate Switchboard – 518-455-2800

Here’s What to DO/SAY: