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Senate Set to Vote on Mental Health Legislation - Call Now to Urge Support for the Excellence in Mental Health Act!
This week, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to begin debate on legislation to improve mental health care and to address gun violence/background checks. This Senate floor action comes in the wake of last week's Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bringing forward the Mental Illness Awareness and Improvement Act (S 689) to the full Senate. This bill includes a package of mental health provisions that NAMI supports, including: funding for Mental Health First Aid programs, funding for youth suicide prevention programs, and expansion of school mental health services. (View NAMI's letter of support for S 689).
Unfortunately, the Excellence in Mental Health Act (S 264) was not included in that legislation. But now, we understand that a bipartisan group of Senators - including bill authors Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO)-will offer the Excellence Act as an amendment during Senate debate. We need your assistance to urge your Senators to vote in favor of the Stabenow-Blunt Amendment on the Senate floor.
Find More Info and ACTION ITEM Here.
DHCS Conference call to address MediConnect: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 2:00 pm
Your voice is needed regarding the Managed Medi-Cal & Duals Project known as MediConnect. Federal approval requires that the health plans providing the care also provide Health Risk Assessments (HRA)s. The Dept. of Health Care Services will discuss the HRA proposal with stakeholders on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 from 2-3pm. Stakeholder input needed by Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
Review and comment on the proposal.
Register here.
NAMI CA Position Support SB 585 (Steinberg) Mental Health Services Fund
The MHSA is a long, detailed bill. However, its requirements have been interpreted differently in different counties and it is important that it be applied equally in all 58 counties. SB 585 puts to rest the argument about whether the mental health services associated with implementation of Laura's Law may be included in counties' MHSA Plans. The bill reiterates that such services should meet MHSA criteria by being client directed and employing psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles.
Read the Position Paper.
Webinar - States Prepare for the Newly Insured: A Conversation about Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs
On this webinar, after a brief overview of new data made available by SAMHSA, state and local officials and other experts will talk about how states are preparing to ensure service access for these individuals newly covered through Medicaid and Health Insurance Exchanges.
Click for registration and more information.
RSVP for the "Directing Change" Student video contest. Come and view inspiring videos produced by high school students across California!
The Directing Change student video contest is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. Since NAMI California also supports stigma reduction and mental health education in young people, we have donated a free Ending the Silence presentation to each and every high school that participated in the content- that's over 200 schools that will receive the educational and stigma-reduction ETS program starting next Fall! Ceremony to be held at the Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento
Click to send RSVP.
Covered California state-of-the-art call center in Rancho Cordova
Covered California announced today that by the end of the year it will open a state-of-the-art call center in Rancho Cordova. Representatives at the call center will guide Californians through their health coverage options and help determine if they qualify for federal financial assistance to cover some of the costs. The center will be located at 10877 White Rock Road, a facility close to bus and light rail service.
Click for more information.
Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup's Curriculum Recommendation Endorsed by CalMHSA
At their April 12, 2013 meeting, CalMHSA's Board of Directors endorsed the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup's recommendation that "the State Superintendent of Public Instruction request that appropriate credentialing programs(starting with multiple/single-subject and administrative services credentials) include mental health and wellness curricula with information about mental health conditions and how they manifest at school."
Policy recommendations made by the Workgroup are intended to help educators identify, reach, and teach students affected by mental health conditions and promote school environments and strategies that improve the learning environment. The Workgroup's full recommendation can be viewed here. For more information, contact Ann Collentine, CalMHSA Program Director, at ann.collentine@calmhsa.org.
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