NYAPRS Note: We at NYAPRS are asking you to make phone calls, write letters and Show Up. The bigger the presence we have, the bigger the impact. We need to show how many supporters this campaign has. Let’s make sure the legislature and the Governor know they have an obligation to address the funding crisis in mental health housing. Let’s keep up this momentum!
Please join us on Wednesday, March 21 at 11:00 to rally at the Capitol.
TAKE ACTION!!!
We Are Making Progress on This Issue
Your Advocacy Voice is Needed to BRING IT HOME!!!
Our colleagues at the Bring it Home: Better Funding for Better Care campaign have created a NEW message to go to the legislature and the Governor because the Assembly and Senate “one-house” budget bills have come out.
The climate has changed:
We are making progress but we could end up with very little if we don’t increase the pressure now! Please send the pre-written message to your legislators and leadership, EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE IT ONCE, TWICE, or ONE HUNDRED TIMES! We need to include your voice on this important message.
TAKE ACTION: SEND A LETTER AND MAKE PHONE CALLS
Click here to send a pre-written letter.
NAMI-NYS has also created a revised calling script for our key budget asks. Click here to view the scripts and please make calls today and early next week as budget negotiations continue.
What is at stake? In the final state budget, we could end up with an additional $15 million per year as of April, 2018, or with as much as an additional $80 million per year starting January, 2019. We have a need of $120 million. So, I prefer that we get $80 MILLION a little later. How about you?
JOIN US FOR THE BRING IT HOME RALLY AT THE CAPITOL
WEDNESDAY MARCH 21st at 11:00am
The BRING IT HOME Campaign will be holding an important rally on the third floor of the Capitol next Wednesday, March 21. Attendance is HIGHLY encouraged, and we are hoping to get as many people as possible to gather on the third floor steps outside of the Assembly Chamber at 11:00am.
We will be making a statement to have the final state budget agreement include additional funding for existing mental health housing. The Governor included $10 million in the Executive Proposal that was released in January. The Senate “one-house” budget bill includes an additional $5 million that would start on January 1, 2019. We want the Assembly to match the commitment by the Senate and add another $5 million to start January 1, 2019. We need the support of the legislature to:
- Support the $5 million that the Senate added for mental health housing.
- We need the Assembly to match the Senate’s action by adding another $5 million.
- Support the $10 million that the Governor added to the state budget for mental health housing.
- Finally, support this full package of $20 million for mental health housing in the final budget agreement, and delay the implementation to start on January 1, 2019.
The bigger the presence we have, the bigger the impact. We want to show how many supporters this campaign has, and make sure the legislature and the Governor know they have an obligation to address the funding crisis in mental health housing. We will also be delivering a letter to the Governor, signed by providers from all areas of the state, that makes the case for enhanced rates. Let’s keep up this momentum! You are all doing amazing!
Please join us on Wednesday, March 21 at 11:00 to rally at the Capitol.
If you are interested, or planning to attend, please email elenak@nyaprs.org