The Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly NYAPRS) will be hosting a Regional Forum for Western NY in Buffalo on Wednesday November 15thin preparation for our upcoming 27th Annual Legislative Day in Albany on February 20th, 2024! The WNY Forum will be held from 1-3pm at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203).
You’ll have a chance to tell us about issues related to rights and mental health services you have seen at the regional level, learn about ways you can join The Alliance’s advocacy efforts from Harvey Rosenthal and Luke Sikinyi, and hear from local policy makers and organizers.
The forum will include an interactive panel discussion centered on local mental health services, policies, community response to crisis situations, hospital diversion, peer services, and issues related to housing.
Panelists will include:
- Mark O’Brien, Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health,
- Leah Halton-Pope, Sr. Advisor to Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes,
- Community Response Coalition Members (including representatives from Partnership for the Public Good, Black Love Resists in the Rustbelt, Evergreen Health Services, and Restoration Society),
- and Jennifer Levesque, Kirsten Vincent Respite and Recovery Center.
Come have your voice heard and learn more ways you can join efforts to improve the system! Contact Adam Selon (aselon@rsiwny.org) or Luke Sikinyi (LukeS@rightsandrecovery.org) for more information.