This year’s January 28th NYAPRS Albany Legislative Day promises to be one of most important advocacy actions in our history!
This year’s policy agenda continues NYAPRS’ long term commitment to advancing the recovery, rehabilitation, rights and community inclusion of New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities and the expansion of community recovery supports by reinvesting funds from institutional settings.
Attached you will find our draft 2014 state advocacy priorities that we have identified in consultation with our Public Policy Committee and our members at regional forums across the state.
Are you ready? Join Harvey Rosenthal on a first-ever legislative day preparation webinar, Wednesday, 10/22 at 10AM! Register for the webinar now by clicking here. You can watch the webinar with a group of people at your agency to build excitement and understanding of the day’s events!
Are you already signed up to get on the bus? The next step is setting up an appointment with your Senator in the NYS legislature. Last week, I sent notes about how to locate assembly members in your area, and how to arrange appointments with them. State Senators are a little different, because depending on the size of your area, you may not have many to choose from. You can work with your regional coordinator (see the attached flyer) or a team leader from your agency to decide who to contact.
Making an appointment with a Senator in your area is just as easy as locating an assembly member. Call today to ensure you get an appointment!
Step 1: Visit the ‘Contact your Senator’ page of the NY assembly by clicking here. Type in your address, click enter: the name and contact number of your Senator will be listed!
Step 2: Call the phone number listed for your Senator’s Albany office: a friendly assistant will likely greet you.
Step 3: Say “Hi, my name is enter name, and I live in name of your county. I am going to be in Albany on January 28 for a lobby day with NYAPRS, an advocacy agency dedicated to community rehabilitation for persons with psychiatric disabilities. I would like to meet with Senator enter the name of your Senator between 1PM and 3PM on January 28 to discuss legislative priorities for 2014. I will bring a few other community members to share our experiences. Can you arrange that meeting for me?” When you are given a meeting time, note the time down.
Step 4: Contact your regional coordinator to let them know you arranged this meeting.
The NYS budget is coming out Today, Tuesday 1/21! Check your email tonight for a “first look” from NYAPRS about his year’s budget priorities and how they will likely affect our lobby day.
Thanks as always for your strong support for our recovery, rehabilitation, rights and community inclusion agenda! See you on January 28.