Alliance Alert: State legislators are back in Albany this week to continue negotiations for the final budget, giving us a few more days to have our voice heard! The state’s Administration continues to push for an expansion of involuntary commitment which the legislature rejected in their one house budgets. We must make it clear to the Governor and Legislature that New Yorkers want more voluntary community-based services, not increases to forced treatment. The New York Lawyers for the Public Interest have created the following action for people to complete today to push lawmakers to include more funding for the services that work, like housing, intensive outreach and engagement, and improved discharge programs like Peer Bridgers. See below to learn more and take two minutes to send an email to legislative leaders calling for more community-based services and ask them to stand strong in their rejection of involuntary treatment expansions using the link below. Continue to monitor this Enews to learn about other ways you can support statewide advocacy to fund what works best for New Yorkers!
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
New York State legislators and the Governor have agreed to extend this year’s budget deadline, giving them more time to negotiate. The state’s Administration continues to push for an expansion of involuntary inpatient and outpatient commitment. These proposals will traumatize more New Yorkers, especially those struggling with homelessness and mental illness, by extending policies that deploy police to make what are termed “mental hygiene arrests” and initiate involuntary treatment. Involuntary hospitalizations are not the most appropriate way to provide the food, shelter, or long-term support people need and deserve.
The State Assembly and Senate have already rejected these expansions in their one-house budget proposals, choosing instead to invest in proven, voluntary, and community-based supports.
Now, we need your help to make sure the final budget does the same.
We request that you take some time today to complete a few simple actions to ensure New York prioritizes compassion, effective services, and true support for people dealing with mental health issues and homelessness. We have created the following action system, linked below, to help you advocate for what works and push the state to reject harmful involuntary commitment expansions. We have included a section to offer a personalized message about why you are pushing for voluntary services, along with our letter. Use the link to complete the following actions:
- Email your legislators and the Governor
- Share this alert with your network
Let’s make sure New York leads with compassion, evidence backed approaches, and justice—not force.