Your calls are needed today to stop the proposed expansion and permanence of Kendra’s Law’s reliance on forced outpatient treatment orders, a costly, unproven approach that should not be enhanced during a time when we are implementing so many voluntary system improvements: please call today!
A C T I O N A L E R T
YOUR CALLS TODAY ARE VITAL
TO OPPOSE KENDRA’S LAW EXPANSION AND PERMANENCE!
Let’s Support True System Fixes and Police Training
Over the years, NYC tabloids have capitalized on rare, violent tragedies involving people with psychiatric diagnoses and NYC policemen with sensationalized stories filled with defamatory language about ‘dangerous wackos’. These tragedies demand strong and smart action including improved outreach services and specialized trained police CIT units, not more defamatory language and calls for more forced treatment.
But advocates to expand and make permanent Kendra’s Law have capitalized on these tragedies to push newly introduced legislation by Senator Young and Assemblywoman Gunther. This proposal represents a large unfunded mandate to localities and a further violation of people’s rights, and it is in sharp contrast to the Governor’s proposals to shore up system cracks and improve service outreach and support in his Behavioral Health Organization and Health Home initiatives
Top statewide advocacy groups are once again opposing the Young/Gunther measure including:
Association for Community Living
Center for Disability Rights
Coalition for the Homeless
Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
Mental Health Association in State
Mental Health Empowerment Project
National Association of Social Workers – NYS
Ass’n of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
Association on Independent Living
NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
NYS Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
State Psychiatric Association
State Rehabilitation Association
Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
Supportive Housing Network of
Last week, many of you did a terrific job with your phone calls to Senate Mental Health Committee Chairman Roy McDonald. Now we must turn our attention to Governor Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver who need to hear from our community about the degree of opposition that there is to this measure!
PLEASE MAKE THE FOLLOWING TWO CALLS TODAY!
GOVERNOR CUOMO AT 518-474-8390
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SILVER AT 518-455-3791
and leave the following message
“I’m a registered voter calling from (your locality) urging you to oppose S.4881A/A.6987A proposals to expand Kendra’s Law and make it permanent and to instead support true service improvements and police training”