Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | Swyer Theater at The Egg, Albany

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is excited to welcomeÌýhundreds of advocates from across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ StateÌýto Albany in just two weeks for ourÌý29^thÌýAnnual Legislative Day, andÌýbus transportation is now availableÌýto make it easier than ever to join us.
At a moment of federal funding threats, workforce instability, and growing unmet mental health and substance use needs, we need a strong, unified presence at the Capitol. Legislative Day is where we show lawmakers that recovery, dignity, and community-based services must be fully funded and protected.

OUR TOP PRIORITY:

Fund a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (COLA)
This increase is essential to stabilize the behavioral health workforce, reduce turnover, shorten waitlists, and ensure ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ers can access the services they need. Without it, programs face closures and people lose trusted supports.

BUS TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE
We have buses coming from regions across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ State, includingÌýºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ City, Buffalo, Rochester, Hudson Valley, Syracuse, and the North Country, with local partners helping coordinate sign-ups and logistics. Space is limited, soÌýregister early.

Find your bus location, registration links, and contact people here:

Brooklyn:Ìý
Buffalo:Ìý
Hells Kitchen:Ìý
Hudson Valley:Ìý
North Country:Ìý
Queens:Ìý
Rochester:Ìý
Syracuse-Binghamton:Ìý
Union Square:Ìý

The post GET ON THE BUS TO ALBANY for Alliance’s Legislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is calling on advocates, providers, people in recovery, and community members from across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ State to stand up and fight for the workforce and services that make recovery possible.

We need a massive show of strength in the Capitol.
Lawmakers must hear us loud and clear: staff and services must be fully funded now!

ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿â€™s mental health and substance use agencies are facing a deepening staffing crisis driven by years of underinvestment. Workers are leaving, programs are struggling to stay open, and people are being placed on long waiting lists or losing trusted supports altogether.ÌýA 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase is the minimum needed to stabilize our workforce, sustain services, and protect communities across the state.
This rally is about more than numbers, it’s about people. It’s about the peer specialists, case managers, outreach workers, crisis responders, and other staff who show up every day, often underpaid and overstretched, to support ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ers in their most critical moments.
It’s about ensuring that mental health and substance use services remain accessible, effective, and grounded in dignity and recovery.
All advocates are welcome. Bring your voice. Bring your energy. Bring your colleagues.

GET READY: LEGISLATIVE DAY PREP SESSION

Thursday, February 5

1:00 – 2:00 PM (EST)

Zoom Registration: 

Join us for a virtual Legislative Day Prep Session where participants will:

• Learn more about our 2026 policy priorities
• Get details on the day’s events, including the rally and press conference
• Practice how to effectively meet with legislators and staff

Whether this is your first Legislative Day or your tenth, this session will help you feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate.

The post Join 2.7% RALLY FOR STAFF & SERVICES at Next Tuesday’s (2/10) AllianceÌýLegislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

This interactive prep session will help participants understand what to expect on Legislative Day and how to make the most of meetings with policymakers during this critical moment for mental health, substance use, and community-based services.

What You’ll Get From the Prep Session

• A walkthrough of the Alliance’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, including our top ask: funding a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase
• An overview of Legislative Day activities, including presentations, rallies, press events, and meetings
• Tips and guidance on meeting with legislators, including how to tell your story and deliver clear policy messages
• Time to practice and ask questions, so you feel prepared and supported going into February 10

Whether this is your first Legislative Day or you’re a longtime advocate, this session will ensure we show up to Albany with a strong, unified voice.

Register for the Prep Session 

Why It Matters

With growing federal funding threats, workforce shortages, and unmet mental health and substance use needs across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, Legislative Day is our opportunity to demand real investment in recovery, dignity, and community-based solutions. Preparation is key to making our advocacy count.

Bus transportation available statewide, including Long Island: Sign Up Today!.

Brooklyn: 

Buffalo: 

Hells Kitchen: 

Hudson Valley: 

Long Island: 

North Country: 

Queens: 

Rochester: 

Syracuse-Binghamton: 

Union Square: 

Join us on February 6 to get ready — and join us on February 10 to be heard.

Together, we can protect and strengthen the services that make recovery possible.

The post UPDATE: Alliance Prep Session for Feb 10 Legislative Day Moved to Thursday, 2/5, at 1pm! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Demand a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase!

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is calling on advocates, providers, people in recovery, and community members from across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ State to stand up and fight for the workforce and services that make recovery possible.

We need a massive show of strength in the Capitol.

Lawmakers must hear us loud and clear: staff and services must be fully funded now!

ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿â€™s mental health and substance use agencies are facing a deepening staffing crisis driven by years of underinvestment. Workers are leaving, programs are struggling to stay open, and people are being placed on long waiting lists or losing trusted supports altogether. A 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase is the minimum needed to stabilize our workforce, sustain services, and protect communities across the state.

This rally is about more than numbers, it’s about people. It’s about the peer specialists, case managers, outreach workers, crisis responders, and other staff who show up every day, often underpaid and overstretched, to support ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ers in their most critical moments.

It’s about ensuring that mental health and substance use services remain accessible, effective, and grounded in dignity and recovery.

All advocates are welcome. Bring your voice. Bring your energy. Bring your colleagues.

GET READY: LEGISLATIVE DAY PREP SESSION

Thursday, February 5
1:00 – 2:00 PM (EST)
Zoom Registration:Ìý

Whether this is your first Legislative Day or your tenth, this session will help you feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate.

Be there. Be heard.

Fight for our staff. Fight for our services.

Demand a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase.

The post Join 2.7% RALLY FOR STAFF & SERVICES at Alliance February 10thÌýLegislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

This interactive prep session will help participants understand what to expect on Legislative Day and how to make the most of meetings with policymakers during this critical moment for mental health, substance use, and community-based services.

What You’ll Get From the Prep Session

• A walkthrough of the Alliance’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, including our top ask: funding a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase
• An overview of Legislative Day activities, including presentations, rallies, press events, and meetings
• Tips and guidance on meeting with legislators, including how to tell your story and deliver clear policy messages
• Time to practice and ask questions, so you feel prepared and supported going into February 10

Whether this is your first Legislative Day or you’re a longtime advocate, this session will ensure we show up to Albany with a strong, unified voice.

Register for the Prep Session 

Why It Matters

With growing federal funding threats, workforce shortages, and unmet mental health and substance use needs across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, Legislative Day is our opportunity to demand real investment in recovery, dignity, and community-based solutions. Preparation is key to making our advocacy count.

Bus transportation available statewide, including Long Island: Sign Up Today!.

Brooklyn: 

Buffalo: 

Hells Kitchen: 

Hudson Valley: 

Long Island: 

North Country: 

Queens: 

Rochester: 

Syracuse-Binghamton: 

Union Square: 

Join us on February 6 to get ready — and join us on February 10 to be heard.

Together, we can protect and strengthen the services that make recovery possible.

The post Get Ready for Alliance Feb 10 Legislative Day: Join Next Friday’s Virtual Prep Session! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | Swyer Theater at The Egg, Albany

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is excited to welcomeÌýhundreds of advocates from across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ StateÌýto Albany in just two weeks for ourÌý29^thÌýAnnual Legislative Day, andÌýbus transportation is now availableÌýto make it easier than ever to join us.
At a moment of federal funding threats, workforce instability, and growing unmet mental health and substance use needs, we need a strong, unified presence at the Capitol. Legislative Day is where we show lawmakers that recovery, dignity, and community-based services must be fully funded and protected.

OUR TOP PRIORITY:

Fund a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (COLA)
This increase is essential to stabilize the behavioral health workforce, reduce turnover, shorten waitlists, and ensure ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ers can access the services they need. Without it, programs face closures and people lose trusted supports.

BUS TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE
We have buses coming from regions across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ State, includingÌýºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ City, Buffalo, Rochester, Hudson Valley, Syracuse, and the North Country, with local partners helping coordinate sign-ups and logistics. Space is limited, soÌýregister early.

Find your bus location, registration links, and contact people here:

Brooklyn:Ìý
Buffalo:Ìý
Hells Kitchen:Ìý
Hudson Valley:Ìý
North Country:Ìý
Queens:Ìý
Rochester:Ìý
Syracuse-Binghamton:Ìý
Union Square:Ìý

The post GET ON THE BUS TO ALBANY for Alliance’s Legislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | Swyer Theater at The Egg, Albany

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is excited to welcomeÌýhundreds of advocates from across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ StateÌýto Albany in just two weeks for ourÌý29^thÌýAnnual Legislative Day, andÌýbus transportation is now availableÌýto make it easier than ever to join us.
At a moment of federal funding threats, workforce instability, and growing unmet mental health and substance use needs, we need a strong, unified presence at the Capitol. Legislative Day is where we show lawmakers that recovery, dignity, and community-based services must be fully funded and protected.

OUR TOP PRIORITY:

Fund a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (COLA)
This increase is essential to stabilize the behavioral health workforce, reduce turnover, shorten waitlists, and ensure ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ers can access the services they need. Without it, programs face closures and people lose trusted supports.

BUS TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE
We have buses coming from regions across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ State, includingÌýºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ City, Buffalo, Rochester, Hudson Valley, Syracuse, and the North Country, with local partners helping coordinate sign-ups and logistics. Space is limited, soÌýregister early.

Find your bus location, registration links, and contact people here:

Brooklyn:Ìý
Buffalo:Ìý
Hells Kitchen:Ìý
Hudson Valley:Ìý
North Country:Ìý
Queens:Ìý
Rochester:Ìý
Syracuse-Binghamton:Ìý
Union Square:Ìý

The post GET ON THE BUS TO ALBANY for Alliance’s Legislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is excited to have hundreds of advocates come to Albany on Tuesday, February 10^th, for our Annual Legislative Day!

As you all prepare for Legislative Day 2026, we are happy to officially release the Alliance’s priority policy agenda for the year, elevating the issues we heard most during our regional forums from people in recovery, service providers, families, and communities across ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿. With federal funding threats, workforce instability, and growing unmet need, this moment demands a strong, unified voice.

Our Top Priority This Year: Fund a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (COLA)!

This rate increase is essential to stabilize the behavioral health workforce, address severe staffing shortages, and ensure agencies can continue delivering critical services. Without it, programs face closures, longer waitlists, and increased strain on already overwhelmed systems.

Be there. Be heard. Help protect and strengthen the services that make recovery possible!

The post Alliance Releases Feb 10thÌýAlbany Legislative Day Priorities and Bus Information! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

December Regional Forums

We are continuing our series of regional forum events as we approach our annual legislative day. These regional forums are essential opportunities for community members to:

• Hear the latest updatesÌýon rapidly unfolding federal and state policy changes
• Identify advocacy prioritiesÌýfor the 2026 legislative and budget cycles
• Share your concerns and experiencesÌýwith system gaps, service needs, and community challenges directly with Alliance staff and government representatives
• Build skillsÌýfor meeting with legislators and influencing policy
• Prepare togetherÌýfor Legislative Day in February

As federal cuts threaten supportive housing, food supports, Medicaid, and other essentials, it is critical that our community shows up, speaks out, and organizes together. Our next forum will be in Central NY on Monday, December 15^th. See below for additional details.

Stay tuned for more information about legislative day and the forums including: speaker announcements, agendas for both regional forums, our legislative priorities list, and bus sign ups from all around the state!

We can win the fight for rights and recovery, but only if we fight it together!

The post TODAY! Attend Our Central NY Forum on December 15th to Prepare for the Feb 10 Annual Legislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

December Regional Forums

We are continuing our series of regional forum events as we approach our annual legislative day. These regional forums are essential opportunities for community members to:

• Hear the latest updatesÌýon rapidly unfolding federal and state policy changes
• Identify advocacy prioritiesÌýfor the 2026 legislative and budget cycles
• Share your concerns and experiencesÌýwith system gaps, service needs, and community challenges directly with Alliance staff and government representatives
• Build skillsÌýfor meeting with legislators and influencing policy
• Prepare togetherÌýfor Legislative Day in February

As federal cuts threaten supportive housing, food supports, Medicaid, and other essentials, it is critical that our community shows up, speaks out, and organizes together. Our next forum will be in Central NY on Monday, December 15^th. See below for additional details.

Stay tuned for more information about legislative day and the forums including: speaker announcements, agendas for both regional forums, our legislative priorities list, and bus sign ups from all around the state!

We can win the fight for rights and recovery, but only if we fight it together!

The post Monday! Attend Our Central NY Forum on December 15th to Prepare for the Feb 10 Annual Legislative Day! appeared first on The Alliance for Rights and Recovery.