nami mass 2013 advocacy day webinar training march 25, 2013
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The webinar will begin shortly. - Please mute phone: *6, *6 to unmute. - Please ask questions by using the conference chat facility . - For copies of the webinar Power Point: Email [email protected]. NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy DayWEBINAR TRAINING
March 25, 2013
The webinar will begin shortly.- Please mute phone: *6, *6 to unmute.
- Please ask questions by using the conference chat facility.- For copies of the webinar Power Point: Email
NAMI Mass 2012 Advocacy Day
ONLY YOU CAN
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy DayWEBINAR TRAINING
March 25, 2013
NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy DayWEBINAR TRAINING
March 25, 2013
The webinar will begin shortly.- Please mute phone: *6, *6 to unmute.
- Please ask questions by using the conference chat facility.- For copies of the webinar Power Point: Email
This year marks the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy signing into law the Community Mental
Health Act. Today there is a renewed focus on providing access community based mental health
services and meeting the promise of President Kennedy's vision.
Mental illness is a serious condition that affects 1-in-4 families and 1-in-10 children. We know services work and people recover. Yet, today
people and families are experiencing unacceptably long waits for community-based services that are
essential to their recovery because current community mental health services are significantly
underfunded.
INTRODUCTION TO THE PRESENTERS
Joe Giannino: NAMI Masss Legislative DirectorHoward Trachtman: NAMI Mass BOD
Laurie Martinelli: Executive Director, NAMI Mass
Howard Trachtman, NAMI Mass BOD, President NAMI GB-CAN
Senate President Murray, and NAMI Mass Executive Director, Laurie Martinelli
Joe Giannino, NAMI Mass Legislative Director
NAMI Mass Legislative Priorities
Restore Funding to the Department of Mental Health:
• Cuts have adversely impacted the quality of services.
• Limited resources spread too thin.
• Lack of DMH services is unacceptable.
• Commonwealth must expand community-based
• Governor’s FY2014 Budget is a step in the right direction.
• This modest gain must grow.
NAMI Mass Legislative Priorities
Encourage Jail Diversion for People with Mental Illness:
• high priority for NAMI.
• Proven to reduce both human and economic costs.
• Must bolster approaches that promote access to mental health treatment rather than arrest or jail.
• People living with mental illnesses can recover and live successfully in the community when they have access to community based services.
Specific 2013 Initiatives
Governor’s Patrick’s FY 2014 budget includes a $900,000 investment in Jail Diversion/Crisis
Intervention Training programs
• Doubles the present budget for training of law enforcement and other community-based responders.
• Promotes access to mental health treatment rather than arrest or jail.
• Provides resources to develop prevention and intervention programs.
NAMI Mass supports S1189 An Act Relative to Police Training
• Filed by Senator James Timilty
• Will consistently and adequately fund police training through an automobile insurance surcharge.
• Funds two programs: the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) and an annual state police class.
• Applies to private auto insurance policies at a rate of $2.50 – $2.75 per policy per year or 21-23 cents per month.
• Would generate enough revenue to sustain consistent and adequate training in both programs.
NAMI Mass supports H840An Act An Act to Require Health Care Coverage for Emergency Psychiatric
Services
• Filed by Representative Ruth Balser
• Requires commercial insurance companies to pay for behavioral health emergency services across the state.
• MassHealth covers ESP provider services but private health insurers do not.
• Would reach every person residing in Massachusetts who is having a psychiatric crisis.
NAMI Mass Supports H 836An act requiring mental health parity for
disability policies
• Filed by Representative Ruth Balser
• Eliminates discrimination by long term disability insurers against people with mental illness.
• Long term disability insurers can arbitrarily end LTD benefits to those with mental illness after two years.
• That same policy for those with a physical illness provides coverage until 65 or until their doctor says they no longer have the physical disability or condition.
• Requires all LTD policies sold in Massachusetts to cover mental illness the same way that psychical illnesses are covered.
WWW.FUNDMENTALHEALTH.ORG
• NAMI Mass and FundMentalHealth.org urge the legislature to increase funding for community based mental health services $15 million above the Governor’s House 1 budget.
• This increase will allow us to expand access to vital community-based mental health services for adults and children.
People living with
mental illness can recover and live successfully
in the community. They deserve access to a
strong network of community based services to help
them find the opportunities to
thrive.
Why Advocate?
In simple terms,
your personal involvement
and advocacy produces the greatest benefits
for you and
your family!
Your Personal Advocacy:
Introduces you to your elected representatives
Guarantees your voice is heard
Familiarizes you with your legislator & staff
Ensures that your message is delivered
Makes you a part of the process
Leaves a lasting and positive impression of you
It’s All
About You
BecauseYou
Matter!
The Massschusetts Legislature
The Legislature is comprised of two branches
Senate
House of Representatives
The Senate
The Massachusetts Senate consists of 40 members with each Senator
representing a district consisting of approximately 159,000 people.
The House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives includes 160
members each representing a district of approximately 40,000 people.
Your Legislators
Do you know who your legislators are?
How can you find out?
http://www.malegislature.gov/People/CityList
Orhttp://www.wheredoivotema.com
How Can You Make Your Voice Heard?
Understand that your single voice matters (most people do not voice their opinion)
Pay attention to the news & political agenda
Understand NAMI’s priorities and position
Communicate with your legislators
Legislative staff are important
Some Do’s and Don’tsPositive Comments HELP!
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“I fully support your position on…”
“I read a great article about you in our local paper.”
“I appreciate your help.”
Negative Comments DON’T!
“I won’t vote for you unless you...”
“I pay your salary.”
“You work for me! “
“Do your job!”
“I don’t trust politicians.”
Develop an “Elevator Pitch” and practice it
COMMUNICATE
In PersonOr
Via LetterOr
By EmailOr
Over the Phone
DOESN’T MATTER HOW – JUST THAT YOU DO!
Staples of Lobbying Advice
The office visit is important
Be concise
Be positive
Say ‘thank you’
Have polite conversation
It’s important for you to tell your
personal story when you
talk to legislators!
It’s fine if you don’t talk directly to your legislator.
Staff is the ‘repository of knowledge’ for all elected
officials.
They are the gatekeepers too!
Joe GianninoRole 1: LegislatorRole 2: Legislative staff
Howard TrachtmanConstituent telling his personal story
Laurie MartinelliConstituent telling a family member’s story
ROLE PLAYING OPPORTUNITY
Your Voice Matters!Let’s Make Mental Health a Priority!
NAMI Massachusetts Annual Legislative Advocacy Day
Monday, April 8, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PMState House, Great Hall
Coffee, registration and networking: 11:00 am – noon
Speaking Program: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Meet with Your Legislator: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Speakers: Welcome: Representative Liz Malia and Senator Joan Lovely, co-chairs of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Committee
Representative Ruth Balser
Charlie Stefanini, Campaign Coordinator, FundMentalHealth.org
Gail Rosenweig, NAMI Central Middlesex, speaking from the person with “lived”experience perspective
Dr. Deb Pinals, Asst. Commissioner, Forensic Services, Dept. of Mental Health
June Binney, NAMI Massachusetts Criminal Justice Project Director
April 8th, 2013 – MA State House, Boston - Room 348
Immediately following Advocacy Day Presentations
If you would like to hear from more your peers about how to make the most of your state house visit, Beth Wilson and Howard Trachtman will present.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy DayWEBINAR TRAINING
March 25, 2013
- For copies of the webinar Power Point: Email [email protected]