Public Education & Policy :: Archive

CNMHC News Alert, Rally Update

June 2004

Annual Day at the Capitol
RALLY AND INFORMATION SHARING
Thursday, June 17, 2004
10 AM - 4:00 PM
North Side of the State Capitol
11th and L Streets, Sacramento

Join us to Rally for a system based on choice, freedom and community integration. Celebrating Twenty Years as A Voice for Choice, the CNMHC is sponsoring a day at the Capitol at which clients from around the State will gather to voice their concerns to their representatives and other policy makers.

The themes of the Rally are:

• Support Voluntary Community Services and Peer Support Programs
• Support Self Determination and Choice for Mental Health Clients
• Fight budget cuts that attack the human rights and quality of life of people with mental disabilities

Advocate with us for solutions which would bring services to the community.

These themes are expressed in specific current CNMHC policy priorities.

• Supporting SB 1365 (Chesbro - D) which would create an Olmstead Council and moving California toward implementing the Olmstead decision.
• Opposing the Governor's proposed SSI/SSP Cola suspensions.
• Supporting the Mental Health Services Act that will be in the November ballot. The Mental Health Services Act was voted by clients as this year's highest public policy priority. This Act will dedicate a stream of funding to expand voluntary community services to most people who want them. The monies will support an array of services that address the real-life needs of people with mental disabilities, including self-help and peer support services, and that are delivered in a manner that respects clients and promotes recovery.

Featuring Senator Wesley Chesbro and Assembly member Darrell Steinberg, and many others.

Schedule of Events

Gather at 10:30 AM at the L Street side of the Capitol.
Rally: 11 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch: 12:30 - 1 PM (provided by Sacramento Self Help Center)
Visits with Legislators/ Hospitality Room Open: 1 - 4 PM

Legislative Visits Information

Try to pre arrange visits with your local legislators. See List of Senate and Assembly Members' contact information. Using the Internet, go to www.sen.ca.gov or www.assembly.ca.gov to identify the State senator of Assembly member for your CA address. Follow the prompts on the side of the home page. Or look for your representatives in your local newspaper and telephone book.

Travel Information

The CNMHC has limited resources to assist you in getting to the Rally. Following are the CNMHC's travel policies for major events, if funds are available.

• Encourage you to seek local support first
• 180 miles or 3 hours drive gets overnight accommodations at lowest rate available.
• 4 + in a car gets gas reimbursement.
• Support for the reasonable rental of two vans per Region (if funds permit.)

Please call 1-800-626-7447 for assistance in arranging/coordinating travel if needed.