MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
Join advocates from throughout New York State as we come together to 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 2017 NAMI-NYS Legislative Action Agenda demonstrate NAMI-NYS's belief that the best and most appropriate services are available to support all forms of recovery from mental illness and maximize mental health. Treatment options must be obtainable for people whose recovery would be best advanced in community settings as well as people with the most severe forms of psychiatric disorders who need more all-encompassing care.
NAMI-NYS will be at Meeting Room 4 located on the Empire State Concourse (by the elevators from the visitor 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 items at 10am.
NAMI-NYS staff 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 2017 NAMI-NYS Action Agenda attendees will visit their legislators.
A complimentary lunch will be provided during the formal program taking place between 11:30am and 1pm featuring legislative leaders and New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan.
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.
(click on the blue titles for more information)
Continued Reinvestment in Community Services
Improving the Criminal Justice – Mental Illness Interface in NYS
TALKING POINTS FOR ACTION AGENDA
Schedule of Formal Programs
9-11:30am: Complimentary breakfast available. Legislative Packets will be distributed, NAMI-NYS staff will be available to discuss the packets and do practice visits. Advocates will be visiting legislative offices.
11:30am-1pm: Complementary boxed lunches served. Formal presentation of the importance of the 2017 NAMI-NYS Advocacy Agenda. Guest speakers including OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan who is scheduled to speak at 12:30pm.
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.
Click here to view and download the NAMI-NYS Advocacy Tool-Kit
The kit will help you best project your advocacy voice by:
- Detailing our advocacy agenda
- Providing strategies to have the most impactful legislative visits
- Speaking points on our issues
- Providing templates for Letters to the Editor on our key issues
- Information on how to engage in advocacy activities on social media