Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
(Publication Archives)

Friday Fax from Albany

MHANYS ANNOUNCES FIRST
IN SERIES OF PUBLIC POLICY FORUMS

On Monday, October 31st, MHANYS will be holding the first of several forums around the state to get recommendations from MHAs and other interested individuals in the community regarding MHANYS’ 2006 Legislative Agenda. These informal discussions provide MHANYS with input on a broad range of issues from those who are most greatly affected by the policies of New York State on mental health issues. These recommendations are then used by the MHANYS’ Governmental Affairs Committee and public policy team to create what becomes the MHANYS Legislative Program. Final approval of the Legislative Program is achieved through approval from MHANYS’ Board of Directors.

Testimony in recent years has included such topics as: ending health insurance discrimination by enacting parity for mental health and chemical dependency; reform criminal justice/mental health system overlap to ensure appropriate diversion, treatment and access to services; extension of legislation authorizing reinvestment of funds for community-based services; a cost-of-living increase for direct care workers; a Medicaid fee increase for local providers, and; coordination of children’s services, protection of families, and blending of funding. We hope to receive similar input this year.

The information for the first of these forums follows below. Information on future forums will be made public upon availability.

WHAT: MHANYS’ Western New York Public Policy Forum

WHY: To provide MHANYS input regarding the development of its 2006 Legislative Agenda

WHERE: Mental Health Association of Erie County, 999 Delaware Ave, Buffalo

WHEN: October 31, 2005 11:00 – 1:00 Lunch will be provided

For more information, or to register, contact MHANYS' Public Policy Director, Michael Seereiter at mseereiter@mhanys.org or call (518) 434-0439 ext. 21.