Laura
05-11-2010, 08:35 AM
May is Mental Health Month
Action Alert
Urge Your Representative to Attend a Briefing on Timely Federal Benefits Assistance for People with Serious Mental Illnesses Released from Jail or Prison
May 10, 2010--On Wednesday, May 12, Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN), Pete Stark (D-CA) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) will host a briefing to examine re-entry barriers and the cycle of recidivism among people with mental illnesses. The session will focus on the importance of timely restoration of federal disability benefits (Medicaid, SSI, SSDI) to individuals with mental illness to help with successful transition when re-entering society after incarceration.
The sponsors have introduced legislation, The Recidivism Reduction Act (H.R. 2829 to help address the problem.
The briefing will feature experts on criminal justice and federal disability benefits.
*
Fred Osher, M.D., Director of Health Systems and Services Policy at the Council of State Government Justice Center, will present a national overview of the problem, challenges and opportunities to help address this national problem.
*
Warden Robert L. Green of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Maryland, will share real world experience helping reentering persons access to comprehensive treatment and support
*
Yvonne Perret, MSW, Executive Director of the Advocacy and Training Center in Cumberland, Maryland, and the Director of Technical Assistance and Training at the S.O.A.R. TA Center, will highlight the importance of providing federal benefits to recovery and avoiding criminal justice contact.
What You Can Do
Contact your Representative (the Capitol switchboard, 202-225-3121, can connect you) and ask him or her and the health and education staff members to attend this important breakfast briefing. Details are as follows:
*
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 12th at 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
*
Location: Room 2222, Rayburn House Office Building
Your calls and emails will help create awareness of the need to provide quick reinstatement of federal benefits to people with mental illnesses who are re-entering society from incarceration.
Sample phone or email script:
"I am calling/writing to encourage you [and your health and criminal justice staff] to attend the congressional briefing sponsored by Representatives Andre Carson, Pete Stark and Patrick Kennedy to examine the cycle of recidivism among people with serious mental illnesses and how timely restoration of federal disability benefits to eligible individuals will help them achieve successful transition after incarceration. The briefing will take place on May 12th at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2222 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
"At the briefing, you will hear from experts in criminal justice and federal disability benefits. Presenters include Dr. Fred Osher, a national expert on mental health and criminal justice, Warden Robert L. Green of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Maryland, a pioneer on re-entry benefits programs, and Yvonne Perret, an expert on federal disability benefits.
"Recidivism is a critical problem in the criminal and juvenile justice systems, costing millions of dollars. It is a particular problem among people with serious mental illnesses, who make up a disproportionate number of inmates in corrections facilities. A key component of re-entry support is access to federal benefits by eligible individuals. This briefing will be helpful to you and your staff who are concerned about the growing population of incarcerated individuals, re-entry/transition issues and federal disability benefits. Thank you."
Action Alert
Urge Your Representative to Attend a Briefing on Timely Federal Benefits Assistance for People with Serious Mental Illnesses Released from Jail or Prison
May 10, 2010--On Wednesday, May 12, Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN), Pete Stark (D-CA) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) will host a briefing to examine re-entry barriers and the cycle of recidivism among people with mental illnesses. The session will focus on the importance of timely restoration of federal disability benefits (Medicaid, SSI, SSDI) to individuals with mental illness to help with successful transition when re-entering society after incarceration.
The sponsors have introduced legislation, The Recidivism Reduction Act (H.R. 2829 to help address the problem.
The briefing will feature experts on criminal justice and federal disability benefits.
*
Fred Osher, M.D., Director of Health Systems and Services Policy at the Council of State Government Justice Center, will present a national overview of the problem, challenges and opportunities to help address this national problem.
*
Warden Robert L. Green of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Maryland, will share real world experience helping reentering persons access to comprehensive treatment and support
*
Yvonne Perret, MSW, Executive Director of the Advocacy and Training Center in Cumberland, Maryland, and the Director of Technical Assistance and Training at the S.O.A.R. TA Center, will highlight the importance of providing federal benefits to recovery and avoiding criminal justice contact.
What You Can Do
Contact your Representative (the Capitol switchboard, 202-225-3121, can connect you) and ask him or her and the health and education staff members to attend this important breakfast briefing. Details are as follows:
*
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 12th at 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
*
Location: Room 2222, Rayburn House Office Building
Your calls and emails will help create awareness of the need to provide quick reinstatement of federal benefits to people with mental illnesses who are re-entering society from incarceration.
Sample phone or email script:
"I am calling/writing to encourage you [and your health and criminal justice staff] to attend the congressional briefing sponsored by Representatives Andre Carson, Pete Stark and Patrick Kennedy to examine the cycle of recidivism among people with serious mental illnesses and how timely restoration of federal disability benefits to eligible individuals will help them achieve successful transition after incarceration. The briefing will take place on May 12th at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2222 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
"At the briefing, you will hear from experts in criminal justice and federal disability benefits. Presenters include Dr. Fred Osher, a national expert on mental health and criminal justice, Warden Robert L. Green of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Maryland, a pioneer on re-entry benefits programs, and Yvonne Perret, an expert on federal disability benefits.
"Recidivism is a critical problem in the criminal and juvenile justice systems, costing millions of dollars. It is a particular problem among people with serious mental illnesses, who make up a disproportionate number of inmates in corrections facilities. A key component of re-entry support is access to federal benefits by eligible individuals. This briefing will be helpful to you and your staff who are concerned about the growing population of incarcerated individuals, re-entry/transition issues and federal disability benefits. Thank you."