Public Policy & Advocacy
At NAMI Connecticut, we are continuously working to improve public policy for people with serious mental illnesses in Connecticut. Our Public Policy Agenda includes many issues that aim to increase access to treatment and services, and to repair and restore the mental health service system in our state.
Connecticut Mental Health Statistics
Know Your Rights – Mental Health Parity
QUICK FACTS – on your Local, State and Federal Government
How to Get Your Legislator to LISTEN – A Guide to Taking Charge
NAMI Connecticut’s Public Policy Program’s Mission is to “Advocate for improved services, more humane treatment, and an end to stigma and economic and social discrimination.” Our goal is to support members to engage in advocacy activities at the legislature, in the community, and from their homes.
NAMI Connecticut coordinates the Keep the Promise Coalition.
The Keep the Promise (KTP) Coalition is a Connecticut-based network of advocates, including people living with mental illness, family members, mental health professionals and interested community members. KTP is dedicated to advocating for a comprehensive, community mental health system for adults, children and families in Connecticut.
NAMI Connecticut’s Public Policy Program mission is aligned with KTP by advocating for improved services, more humane treatment, and an end to stigma and economic and social discrimination. Our goal is to support members to engage in advocacy activities at the legislature, in the community, and from their homes. NAMI Connecticut and the Keep the Promise Coalition have shared legislative priorities.
NAMI Connecticut Public Policy Program Components:
- Provide outreach, trainings, and education to the community and policymakers
- Monitor and act on state and local government issues relevant to the mental health community
- Mobilize NAMI Connecticut members to testify or contact policymakers on behalf of our legislative priorities
- Strategically work with the media to further our legislative agenda
- Develop and build relationships with community partners and stakeholders to work on joint initiatives
NAMI Connecticut’s Public Policy Committee consists of members from around the state who meet monthly to build consensus on legislative and policy issues, provide feedback, assist in developing the Keep the Promise Coalition’s legislative agenda, and act as committee liaisons in their communities.
For more information on advocacy, contact:
Daniela Giordano, MSW Public Policy Director – Adults, State and National at publicpolicy@namict.org
Sara Frankel, JD Public Policy Director – Children, Youth and Young Adults at saraf@namict.org
Stay Informed
Click here for Keep the Promise Coalition’s 2013 Legislative Priorities and for the Coalition’s response to the Newtown tragedy.
Receive action alerts when legislation is pending or to be informed of other important legislative activities and events.
NAMI Connecticut is a member of the Keep the Promise, a statewide grassroots mental health advocacy coalition dedicated to advocating for the community based solutions necessary to maintain and expand critical mental health services and treatments for adults and children and appropriate housing options to meet individuals’ and families’ needs. Learn more about the Keep the Promise Coalition by clicking here.
Read NAMI Connecticut’s 2012 Legislative Summary.
Check out our Advocacy Toolkit
NAMI Connecticut invites NAMI members to join the Public Policy Committee to become informed on critical issues affecting people with serious mental illnesses and their families and to help craft positions on these issues. The Committee serves as the “brain trust” for the NAMI Connecticut Board for our legislative agenda. Call the NAMI Connecticut office to sign-on or e-mail Daniela Giordano at publicpolicy@namict.org, Sara Frankel at saraf@namict.org.
LATEST NEWS:
iForum 2013: Health Care, Housing & Homelessness: Target. Connect. Save.
Presented by the Partnership for Strong Communities
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford, CT 06106
(Directions: www.lyceumcenter.org)
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Coffee, pastry, conversation
9:00 am – 11:30 am: Program
Event is free. We expect strong attendance. Register now: laura@pschousing.org (If you do not receive an email confirmation within 2 business days, please contact Laura Bachman at 860-244-0066.)
More information: www.pschousing.org/2013-IForums
For a FULL COLOR Flyer suitable for printing and posting, click here
Connecticut Legal Rights Project to suspend intake on Housing related issues
This is to inform you that CLRP will suspend intake on all housing issues effective May 1st. This means that no new housing cases can be accepted after the end of the business day on Tuesday, April 30th.
CLRP has found it necessary to take this action because it appears that funding for the program’s housing advocacy will be reduced by nearly 50% based on the budget approved by the Appropriations Committee. While we are grateful that the committee restored cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget, it had been anticipated that funds to cover six months of housing advocacy provided in last year’s budget would be annualized. They have not been and this, combined with cuts from the Governor’s rescission in 2012, has created a substantial gap in CLRP’s budget.
We regret this action, but hope that clients can access legal services through Greater Hartford Legal Aid, New Haven Legal Assistance, or Connecticut Legal Services which has offices in Bridgeport, New Britain, New London, Stamford, Waterbury and Willimantic. They can be reached through their central intake system operated by Statewide Legal Services at 800-453-3320 or their website at www.slsct.org which has an on line application for legal aid. There is also a self-help web site available at www.CTlawHelp.org
Connecticut Health Foundation Press Release: Policy Analysis of Potential Impact of Governor’s Budget Proposal on HUSKY Parents
March 12, 2013
The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) today announced the release of a policy analysis paper on the Consequences of Proposed Eligibility Reduction of HUSKY A Parents. The analysis examines the potential impact of Governor Malloy’s budget proposal to change HUSKY A (Medicaid) eligibility requirements in 2014 and 2015, affecting parents of children who are enrolled in HUSKY A and who have an income in the range of 138-185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. HUSKY parents would instead be eligible to purchase federally subsidized private insurance through Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, Access Health CT.
To Read the entire Press Release, click here
To read the “Consequences of Proposed Eligibility Reduction of HUSKY A Parents” doc, click here
Additional Questions? Contact NAMI Connecticut
