NAMI CAN!
News That Doesn't Make it Into the Newspapers | |
Since most mental health services have been realigned to the counties or is funded by Prop. 63's Mental Health Services Act, this column has not carried much state budget news. There are other programs, however, that significantly affect people living with serious mental illnesses. The Assembly Budget Committee issued a report of vetoes by Governor Brown at the end of June that contains information about two such programs.
Newspapers usually quote the governor's statement about why he has vetoed a bill. They do not always capture the other side of the story and pass it on to the public.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Administration. Vetoes $4.7 million General Fund that was allocated by the Legislature for IHSS administrative costs. The appropriation was made to partially backfill a reduction of $5.2 million that the Governor had proposed at May Revision to align with caseload projections. Given the dynamic changes in the program in recent years and the new responsibilities for counties associated with the Duals Demonstration Project sanctioned by trailer bill legislation as part of the 2012 Budget, the augmentation was justified to provide the resources necessary to properly administer the program.
CalFresh Administration. Vetoes $23 million General Fund for CalFresh administration. The action the Legislature took after the May Revision was to approve a one-time reduction of $45 million General Fund for CalFresh, with as much of the reduction achieved through reversions of funding unexpended in prior years. The forecasted reversion amounts from the Department of Finance at that time anticipated that much of the $45 million would be achievable with this reversion approach. In the absence of knowing the exact reversion amount scored, the Governor's veto of $23 million results in a net loss for the counties of at least that amount.
If the reversions do not come in for at least the difference between the May Revision reduction and the vetoed amount (or $22 million in reversion savings), then the counties could see a larger loss of funding. CalFresh benefits are entirely federally-funded benefits, but the administration is partially state-funded, and California's performance to enroll eligible beneficiaries in this entitlement program has been very poor for many years. Efforts to improve this performance are stymied by this reduction in county funds. Note that individuals receiving SSI benefits are not eligible for CalFresh (food stamps) but that people receiving only SSDI benefits are eligible if they otherwise qualify.
- - Bettie Reinhardt, MPH
NAMI CAN! Coordinator
bettie.reinhardt@namicalifornia.org
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July 17th CFLC Meeting to Discuss Consumer/Family-Run Programs
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The CFLC meeting on July 17th will focus on a discussion of consumer/family-run programs. Experts in this area will inform this discussion.
Preparation: View the except from the SAMHSA Evidence Based Practices Kit on Consumer Operated Services that contains information and discussion of topics including: "What are consumer-operated services?", "What are possible functions of consumer-operated services?", "What makes consumer-operated services unique?", and FAQ's about consumer-operated services.
You can also download the SAMHSA Kit on Consumer Operated Services. Details: Panel/Committee Discussion on Consumer-Run Programs and Guidance Document Eduardo Vega, Chair Panel members knowledgeable about consumer-run programs will provide background and insight for the Committee's consideration in drafting a consumer-run program guidance document to be presented to the MHSOAC in the future: - Khatera Aslami, Executive Director, Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS), Oakland, CA
- Shannon Jaccard, Executive Director, NAMI San Diego
- Donna Marto, Chief Executive Officer, Family and Youth Roundtable, San Diego, CA
- Keris Myrick, M.B.A., M.S., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Project Return Peer Support Network, Commerce, CA
- Sally Zinman, Interim Executive Director, California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations (CAMHPRO)
- Public Comment
Although anyone is welcome to join staff here at the MHSOAC office for this meeting, we expect that most participants, including the panel, will join us by phone.
Logistics for the meeting are as follows:
Date: July 17, 2012
Time: 2-4 PM
Conference Line: 1-866-817-6533
Participant Code: 1189021
Office Location:
1300 17th Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: 916-445-8696
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Conference Update: Save the Date!
| | 2012 NAMI CA Annual Statewide Conference
When: Friday, August 17th & Saturday, August 18th
Where: Marriot Hotel, Irvine, CA
Speakers added: Keris Jän Myrick M.B.A.,M.S.,Ph.D.c; Mike Fitzpatrick MSW (executive director at NAMI); Fred Frese, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. Read about these and other speakers at NAMI California.
Register!
Hope to see you there!
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If You Paid for Paxil®, You Could Get a Payment from a Class Action Settlement
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A class action settlement will provide money to California residents who were 18 years old or older and who paid for any portion of the price of the prescription antidepressant Paxil® while living in California from January 14, 1999 through January 1, 2003, and who qualify under the settlement (these people are called "Class Members"). If you're included, you may ask for a payment, or you can exclude yourself from, or object to, the settlement. The Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement so that payments can be issued. The lawsuit claims that GlaxoSmithKline falsely advertised and promoted Paxil® as being non-habit forming or non-addictive and that GlaxoSmithKline's advertisements and promotional materials failed to disclose the risk of symptoms from stopping or discontinuing Paxil®. GlaxoSmithKline denies each of these allegations. Click here for details. |
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Contact Information
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Weekly Report
NAMI California
1851 Heritage Lane,
Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-567-0163 Fax: 916-567-1757
www.namicalifornia.org
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