A C T I O N A L E R T
YOUR CALLS THIS MONDAY ARE VITAL
TO OPPOSE KENDRA’S LAW EXPANSION AND PERMANENCE!
Let’s Support True System Fixes and Police Training
Over the years, NYC tabloids have capitalized on rare, violent tragedies
involving people with psychiatric diagnoses and NYC policemen with
sensationalized stories filled with defamatory language about ‘dangerous
wackos’. These tragedies demand strong and smart action including
improved outreach services and specialized trained police CIT units, not
more defamatory language and calls for more forced treatment.
But advocates to expand and make permanent Kendra’s Law have capitalized
on these tragedies to push newly introduced legislation by Senator Young
and Assemblywoman Gunther. This proposal represents a large unfunded
mandate to localities and a further violation of people’s rights, and it
is in sharp contrast to the Governor’s proposals to shore up system
cracks and improve service outreach and support in his Behavioral Health
Organization and Health Home initiatives
Top statewide advocacy groups are once again opposing the Young/Gunther
measure including:
Association for Community Living
Center for Disability Rights
Coalition for the Homeless
Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
Mental Health Association in New York State
Mental Health Empowerment Project
National Association of Social Workers – NYS
New York Ass’n of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
New York Association on Independent Living
NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
NYS Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
New York State Psychiatric Association
New York State Rehabilitation Association
Supportive Housing Network of New York
Last week, many of you did a terrific job with your phone calls to
Senate Mental Health Committee Chairman Roy McDonald. Now we must turn
our attention to Governor Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver who
need to hear from our community about the degree of opposition that
there is to this measure!
THIS MONDAY, PLEASE MAKE THE FOLLOWING TWO CALLS!
GOVERNOR CUOMO AT 518-474-8390
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SILVER AT 518-455-3791
and leave the following message
“I’m a registered voter calling from (your locality) urging you to
oppose proposals to expand Kendra’s Law or make it permanent and to
instead support true service improvements and police training”