TELL YOUR STORY
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
Join advocates from throughout New York State as we come together to tell our stories and make our voices heard during one of the most important legislative sessions in shaping the future delivery of mental health services.
The items comprising the 2019 NAMI-NYS Legislative Action Agenda demonstrate NAMI-NYS's belief that the best and most appropriate services must be available to support all forms of recovery from mental illness and maximize mental health.
NAMI-NYS will be at Meeting Room 6 located on the Empire State Concourse (by the elevators from the visitor parking lots) beginning at 9am that day to distribute packets for legislative visits.
Light breakfast and coffee will be available.
There will be a formal program reviewing the Action Agenda and explaining how to tell your story as an advocacy tool begining at 9:15am.
NAMI-NYS staff and board members will be available throughout the morning to help you review the Action Agenda and role-play with you before your visits.
After learning about the 2019 NAMI-NYS Action Agenda attendees will visit their legislators.
A complimentary lunch will be provided during the formal program taking place between Noon and 1pm featuring legislative leaders and New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan (invited).
We need as many grass-roots advocates as possible to tell our elected officials that we will not allow people living with mental illness to receive anything less than the most comprehensive services to advance their recovery.
We are also arranging to have more bus options available as we do not want a lack of transportation to be an obstacle to attending.
Use the link below for a
One page summary of our Advocacy Agenda
NAMI-NYS's Legislative Priorities
Click on the issue to learn more
- Access to Appropriate Services and Medication
- Continued Investments in Community Services and the Mental Health Workforce
- Mental Health Housing With Wraparound Support Services
- Improve the Criminal Justice–Mental Illness Interface
- Enact Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), Expand Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran’s Mental Health Program and Proper Education and Precautions Regarding Legalizing Marijuana.
2019 NAMI-NYS Advocacy Guide-Now Available!
Click here to view the 2019 NAMI-NYS Advocacy Guide. The guide provides insight on our advoacy action agenda, resources on how to tell your story as an advoacy tool, tips for effective legislative meetings, an introduction to new legislators and how communicate our message through both traditional and social media.
Learn How NAMI-NYS is Already Projecting Our Advocacy Voice for the 2019 Session
NAMI-NYS is already projecting our advocacy voice. On December 6th, our Government Affairs Chair, Evelyne Tropper and Associate Director, Public Affairs Matthew Shapiro gave testimony before the NYS Assembly on what we want included in the upcoming budget. Later that day, Matthew detailed our budget asks on the Capital Tonight News Program.
Click here to read the testimony.
Click here to watch the Capital Tonight segment.
On January 14th, NAMI-NYS participated in a press conference on the need to provide a 2.9% Cost of Living Adjustment for the Mental Health Workforce. Click here to watch the entire press conference on Facebook, including comments from NAMI-NYS's Tina Lee who offers the family perspective.
On January 15th, NAMI-NYS participated in advocacy efforts to reform solitary confinement.
Schedule of Formal Programs
9-10:15am: Complimentary breakfast available. At 9:30 there will be a presentation on our advocacy issues and tips to make the most impactful visits. Legislative Packets will be distributed and NAMI-NYS staff will be available to discuss the packets and do practice visits throughout the morning.
10:15-Noon: Participants will be making legislative visits.
Noon-1pm: Complementary boxed lunches served. Formal presentation of the importance of the 2018 NAMI-NYS Advocacy Agenda. Guest speakers including legislative leaders and OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan (invited).
1-4pm: NAMI-NYS staff will be available to do practice visits. Advocates will be visiting legislative offices.
SCHEDULE YOUR LEGISLATIVE VISITS TODAY!
Please let us know if you need NAMI-NYS's help in scheduling your meetings by calling 518-462-2000 and ask for Matthew Shapiro
Click here to find your Assemblymember
Click here to find your Senator.