As New York braces for one of the toughest budget seasons in years, fueled in large part by deep federal funding cuts to housing, mental health, and social services, our community must stand together to protect the services and supports that help people enter and sustain recovery. The Alliance is excited to announce three major opportunities for you to get informed, get energized, and get involved.
December Regional Forums
We are continuing our series of regional forum events as we approach our annual legislative day. These regional forums are essential opportunities for community members to:
- Hear the latest updates on rapidly unfolding federal and state policy changes
- Identify advocacy priorities for the 2026 legislative and budget cycles
- Share your concerns and experiences with system gaps, service needs, and community challenges directly with Alliance staff and government representatives
- Build skills for meeting with legislators and influencing policy
- Prepare together for Legislative Day in February
As federal cuts threaten supportive housing, food supports, Medicaid, and other essentials, it is critical that our community shows up, speaks out, and organizes together. Our next forum will be in Central NY on Monday, December 15th. See below for additional details.
Why Your Participation Matters
This year’s state budget will be shaped by the fallout of federal actions that undermine the voluntary, community-based systems we rely on, including housing supports, peer services, crisis alternatives, and prevention programs.
We need EVERYONE in our community to raise their voice!
Your presence at our forums and Legislative Day helps:
- Protect the services that allow us to heal and thrive
- Ensure recovery oriented approaches remain funded
- Push back against harmful policies and forced treatment expansion
- Strengthen our collective power in the face of profound challenges
Together, we can build a future where every New Yorker has the supports they need to live self-directed and meaningful lives, but we must act now.
Stay tuned for more information about legislative day and the forums including: speaker announcements, agendas for both regional forums, our legislative priorities list, and bus sign ups from all around the state!
We can win the fight for rights and recovery, but only if we fight it together!