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NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR 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 LFDeAngelo@namimass.org. NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013.

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NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013

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  1. 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 LFDeAngelo@namimass.org NAMI Mass 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013

  2. NAMI Mass 2012 Advocacy Day

  3. Only You Can Make Your Voice Heard NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013

  4. 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 LFDeAngelo@namimass.org NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013

  5. 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.

  6. Introduction to the PRESENTERS Joe Giannino: NAMI Masss Legislative Director Howard Trachtman: NAMI Mass BOD Laurie Martinelli: Executive Director, NAMI Mass

  7. Howard Trachtman, NAMI Mass BOD, President NAMI GB-CAN

  8. Senate President Murray, and NAMI Mass Executive Director, Laurie Martinelli

  9. Joe Giannino, NAMI Mass Legislative Director

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.  

  13. 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.

  14. NAMI Mass supports H840 An 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.

  15. NAMI Mass Supports H 836 An 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. Why Advocate? In simple terms, your personal involvement and advocacy produces the greatest benefits for you and your family!

  19. 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

  20. It’s All About You Because You Matter!

  21. The MassschusettsLegislature The Legislature is comprised of two branches Senate House of Representatives

  22. The Senate The Massachusetts Senate consists of 40 members with each Senator representing a district consisting of approximately 159,000 people.

  23. The House of Representatives The Massachusetts House of Representatives includes 160 members each representing a district of approximately 40,000 people.

  24. Your Legislators Do you know who your legislators are? How can you find out? http://www.malegislature.gov/People/CityList Or http://www.wheredoivotema.com

  25. 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

  26. Some Do’s and Don’ts Positive 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.”

  27. 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.”

  28. Develop an “Elevator Pitch” and practice it Communicate In Person Or Via Letter Or By Email Or Over the Phone Doesn’t matter how – just that you do!

  29. Staples of Lobbying Advice The office visit is important Be concise Be positive Say ‘thank you’ Have polite conversation

  30. It’s important for you to tell your personal story when you talk to legislators!

  31. 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!

  32. Role Playing Opportunity Joe Giannino Role 1: Legislator Role 2: Legislative staff Howard Trachtman Constituent telling his personal story Laurie Martinelli Constituent telling a family member’s story

  33. Your Voice Matters! • Let’s Make Mental Health a Priority! • NAMI Massachusetts Annual Legislative Advocacy Day • Monday, April 8, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM • State 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

  34. Additional Training 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.

  35. - For copies of the webinar Power Point: Email LFDeAngelo@namimass.org NAMI Massachusetts 2013 Advocacy Day WEBINAR TRAINING March 25, 2013

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