NYAPRS is a very active member of the ‘Bring it Home’ campaign, which is supported by a coalition of community-based mental health housing providers, mental health advocates, faith leaders, and consumers and their families, who have come together to urge New York State to adequately fund community-based housing programs for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
In advance of the development of the Governor’s budget proposal for the 2019-20 fiscal year, we are urging our members and friends to reach out to the Governor for his support.
Please use the following link http://www.congressweb.com/ACL/15 to electronically send a letter to the Governor. Here are some excerpts:
GOVERNOR CUOMO – RAISE THE RATES FOR MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING! BRING IT HOME!
As you know, housing under the auspices of the State Office of Mental Health for people with psychiatric disabilities is at a critical breaking point.
Providers are being asked to sustain housing and services, sometimes 24/7 supervision and medication management, at rates that are 43% -70% lower when compared to inflation, depending on the program type. This constitutes serious cuts in funding at the same time that consumers are experiencing increasing medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse obstacles to their recovery. Inadequate funding limits our ability to keep up with the growing demands.
Make no mistake about it -New York State is balancing its budget by refusing to adequately increase funding for these crucial programs….
Mental Health housing services have been under-funded in good state budget years and in bad, bringing them to this perilous reality. People with psychiatric disabilities are depending on you. As years go by, it is becoming more and more imperative to make a significant investment into OMH Mental Health Housing. I urge you to do so in the 2019-2020 Executive Budget.
BRING IT HOME leaders and supporters meet regularly with OMH and Executive Office staff. Please work with them to solve this problem!