For Immediate Release
Contact: Luke Sikinyi, VP of Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery, 518-703-0264; Lukes@rightsandrecovery.org
MEDIA ADVISORY
Advocates and Legislators to Voice Opposition to Proposals to Expand Involuntary Treatment
Highlight Alternative Effective and Voluntary Program Models at
March 4th NYS Capitol News Conference,
3rd Floor Million Dollar Staircase
(Albany, N.Y.) – The Alliance for Rights & Recovery, alongside key legislative leaders and advocates, will hold a news conference on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. on the 3rd floor of the Million Dollar Staircase at the New York State Capitol Building where the speakers will voice opposition to proposals to expand involuntary treatment and emphasize the need for voluntary, engaging, effective, and well-coordinated mental health services. They will also provide some details of alternative service model that successfully engage at-risk individuals.
Speakers will include:
- Senator Samra Brouk, Chair, NYS Senate Mental Health Committee
- Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Chair, NYS Assembly Mental Health Committee
- Glenn Liebman, CEO, Mental Health Association in NYS
- Ruth Lowenkron, Director of the Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
- Luke Sikinyi, Vice President for Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
- Two individuals (TBA) who were successfully engaged by voluntary alternative models
The news conference will also bring attention to the disproportionate impact of involuntary treatment on communities of color, the inefficiency of court-mandated care, and an OMH funded study on the impact of Kendra’s Law’s outpatient commitment orders that is currently underway.
WHERE:
- 3rd Floor, Million Dollar Staircase, NYS Capitol Building, Albany, NY
WHEN:
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
About the Alliance for Rights & Recovery:
The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is a state and national change agent dedicated to improving services, public policies and social conditions for people with mental health, substance use and trauma-related challenges, by promoting health, wellness, recovery, with full community inclusion, so that all may achieve maximum potential in communities of choice.