NYAPRS Note: This briefing will be livestreamed at: http://www.naco.org/behavioral-health-briefing.
County, Congressional Leaders To Highlight Importance Of Behavioral Health Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As comprehensive behavioral health reform gains momentum in Congress, counties play an essential role and are responsible for delivering services at the local level.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), joined by a bipartisan group of congressional leaders, will hold a congressional briefing on Wednesday, September 28, 2015 to underline the importance of improving America’s county behavioral health systems. The nation’s 3,069 counties invest $70 billion annually in community health systems, including behavioral health services.
Who:
• Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.)
• Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.)
• Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.)
• Hon. Sallie Clark, President, NACo; Commissioner, El Paso County, Colo.
• Ms. Cheryl Ramirez, President, National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD); Executive Director, Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs
• Mr. Harvey Rosenthal, Executive Director, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
• Mr. Robert Sheehan, Past Chief Executive Officer, Community Mental Health Authority for Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties, Mich.; Incoming Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards
• Mr. Matthew Chase, Executive Director, NACo
• Dr. Ron Manderscheid, Executive Director, NACBHDD
What: Congressional briefing on improving America’s county behavioral health system
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 9:00 a.m. EDT
Background: One in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness, and one in 10 adults in the U.S. experience a substance abuse disorder. County governments are crucial to providing necessary services for people with mental illness. Through 750 behavioral health authorities and community providers, county governments plan and operate community-based services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use conditions. County-based behavioral health systems exist in 23 states that represent 75 percent of the US population.
More information on the briefing can be found at: http://www.naco.org/events/congressional-briefing-improving-america%E2%80%99s-county-behavioral-health-system.
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The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. More information at: www.naco.org.