Public Education & Policy :: Archive

CNMHC News Alert, June 2004

Update: Mental Health Services Act

The Mental Health Services Act will be Proposition 63 on the November ballot. Yes on 63!

Jay Mahler comes to work with the CNMHC.

Jay Mahler, a long time client activist, and co-founder of the California Network of\ Mental Health Clients (CNMHC), will be taking four (4) months off of his "day job" to work for the Mental Health Services Act. Jay has chosen to be work with and through the CNMHC on passing Proposition 63. Jay's involvement, time commitment, and client perspective will greatly assist the effort toward passage of Proposition 63.

See Jay Mahler's speech given at the CNMHC's Annual Day at the Capitol on June 17. Get involved with the Mental Health Services Act. What can you do? Go to: www.campaignformentalhealth.org

Update: SB 1365 (Chesbro - D) Olmstead bill

SB 1365 keeps California moving in the direction of implementing the Olmstead decision - toward community services and supports and away from institutionalization.

By establishing an Olmstead Advisory Council, SB 1365 continues the work of California's Olmstead plan, published in May 2003, which called for the establishment of such a Council to oversee and upgrade the Plan. The Olmstead Plan itself was in response to the Olmstead decision and the US Department of Health and Human Services that called for states to develop comprehensive, effectively working plans because "no one should have to live in an institution or a nursing home if they can live in the community with the right support."

Shifting long term care from institutions toward home and community services results in a higher quality of life, community participation and inclusiveness, and respect for individuals with disabilities as well as being more cost effective than institutional care. It is a winning solution for both people with disabilities and society.

In these times of service trimming instead of building, of focusing on the budget instead of issues of discrimination and lack of equal opportunity, the Olmstead Advisory Council will keep the spirit if not the letter of the Olmstead decision alive and moving in California. It will keep Olmstead on the front burner.

SB 1365 is a bill that promotes the rights and services of all people with disabilities, including people with mental disabilities, who are enduring or may endure long term institutionalization.

SB 1365 will reinvigorate California's stalled Olmstead implementation process.

SB 1365 has passed all policy committees and is in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Write to the Governor now, as it is expected SB 1365 will get to the Governor's desk:

The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Hearing on Psychiatric Drugs and Youth

There will be a hearing on "Antidepressants and Adolescent Suicide" on August 4 in the California Room (42030) at the Capitol. The Hearing will be in the afternoon, upon conclusion of the Health and Human Services Committee business.

There will be public testimony taken at the end of the Hearing. Also, you can submit testimony in written form before or a few days after the Hearing for inclusion in an official written report. Write to: Senate Health and Human Services Committee, State Capitol, Room 2191, Sacramento, CA 95814.

To contact the Senate staff regarding the Hearing, call:

Jack Haley, staff to Senate Health and Human Services Committee, 916-445-5965
Terri Leach, staff to Senator Torlakson at his Concord office, 925-445-6083