����������

This year’s January 28^th ���������� Albany Legislative Day promises to be one of most important advocacy actions in our history!

��

This year’s policy agenda continues ����������’ long term commitment to advancing the recovery, rehabilitation, rights and community inclusion of ����������ers with psychiatric disabilities and the expansion of community recovery supports by reinvesting funds from institutional settings.

��

Attached you will find our draft 2014 state advocacy priorities that we have identified in consultation with our Public Policy Committee and our members at regional forums across the state.

��

Are you ready? Join Harvey Rosenthal on a first-ever legislative day preparation webinar, Wednesday, 10/22 at 10AM! Register for the webinar now by clicking . You can watch the webinar with a group of people at your agency to build excitement and understanding of the day’s events!

��

Are you already signed up to get on the bus? The next step is setting up an appointment with your Senator in the NYS legislature. Last week, I sent notes about how to locate assembly members in your area, and how to arrange appointments with them. State Senators are a little different, because depending on the size of your area, you may not have many to choose from. You can work with your regional coordinator (see the attached flyer) or a team leader from your agency to decide who to contact.

Making an appointment with a Senator in your area is just as easy as locating an assembly member. Call today to ensure you get an appointment!

��

Step 1: Visit the ‘Contact your Senator’ page of the NY assembly by clicking . Type in your address, click enter: the name and contact number of your Senator will be listed!

Step 2: Call the phone number listed for your Senator’s Albany office: a friendly assistant will likely greet you.

Step 3: Say “Hi, my name is enter name, and I live in name of your county. I am going to be in Albany on January 28 for a lobby day with ����������, an advocacy agency dedicated to community rehabilitation for persons with psychiatric disabilities. I would like to meet with Senator enter the name of your Senator between 1PM and 3PM on January 28 to discuss legislative priorities for 2014. I will bring a few other community members to share our experiences. Can you arrange that meeting for me?” When you are given a meeting time, note the time down.

Step 4: Contact your regional coordinator to let them know you arranged this meeting.

��

The NYS budget is coming out Today, Tuesday 1/21! Check your email tonight for a “first look” from ���������� about his year’s budget priorities and how they will likely affect our lobby day.

��

Thanks as always for your strong support for our recovery, rehabilitation, rights and community inclusion agenda! See you on January 28.

��