17. May 2011 by admin.

 In the March issue of the Florida peer networks newsletter I found this little article that I wanted to share with every one.

Florida Among States With Highest Risk For Homelessness

A majority— 31 of 50 states and the District of Columbia— has had increases in their homeless counts. The largest increase was in Louisiana, where the homeless population doubled, according to the recently published report, Homelessness in America.

The report investigates the changes in homelessness across the country. Three states—Florida, California and Nevada —“have been disproportionately impacted by the recent housing crisis,” the report said. The three states have multiple risk factors. These are high rates of homelessness and high levels of unemployment, foreclosure, housing cost burden, lack of insurance, and doubling up. Florida, California and Nevada share another distinction: Over 80 percent of households below the federal poverty line in Florida, Nevada, and California spend more than 50 percent of income on rent.

The data show that 28 of 50 states had increases in prisoner releases from 2007 to 2008, with Florida’s increasing by 30 percent. In the course of a year, the estimated odds of experiencing homelessness for a released prisoner are 1 in 11.

Nationwide, researchers found the largest percentage of increase was in the number of family households, which increased by over four percent or 3,000 households. “While most people experiencing homelessness are sheltered, nearly 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation,” said the research report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Homelessness Research Institute. “These findings project a disquieting picture of what depressed wages, stagnant unemployment, unrelenting housing cost burden, and the lagging pace of the economic recovery could bring about: increases in homelessness and heightened risk of homelessness for more and more Americans.” The report suggested various strategies states could adopt for reducing homelessness.

To download a copy of the report, go to http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/ article/detail/3668

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6. May 2011 by admin.

2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards Now Available

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards, formerly the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery State Awards, which fund selected state-wide peer-run organizations across the United States to promote social inclusion on State and local levels and to counter the negative perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs associated with mental health and/or substance use problems.

This year, SAMHSA will award six $20,000 grants for statewide and community-based efforts that promote and expand the “What a Difference a Friend Makes” campaign (www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov). Proposed activities must target 18- to 25-year-olds and provide a detailed plan to increase awareness of behavioral health issues and of mental health and addictions recovery among young adults – in particular those from diverse populations including Hispanic/Latino, African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian populations. Proposals are also encouraged that address young adults who have experienced trauma.

These awards support SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives of Public Awareness and Support, Trauma and Justice, and Recovery Support.

The application period for the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards for

Statewide Peer-Operated Projects opens May 6, 2011, and the deadline for

submitting applications is June 6, 2011.

The comprehensive Project Guide, which fully describes the project focus, eligibility

requirements, application requirements, and other important information, is available

at http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2011awards.aspx.

For questions on this application, please contact: Campaign Liaison Ruth Montag at

240-744-7062 or CSI-liaison@esi-dc.com.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | No Comments »

5. May 2011 by admin.

Florida Council for Community Mental Health

Budget Update

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The House and Senate finally addressed the Health and Human Services appropriations issues with good news for mental health and substance abuse providers and advocates. With much late night deliberations the conference committee met this morning around 9:00 a.m. and announced that there were no cuts to mental health or substance abuse community funding.

Below are as much of the details as can be determined at this time:

Mental Health:

Children’s Mental Health- fully funded with $3,584,380 shifted to non-recurring

Baker Act - fully funded

IDP - fully funded

Adult Community Mental Health - fully funded but approximately $27 million of recurring general revenue shifted to non-recurring. (This was after last year’s non-recurring was fully restored.)

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Projects: $15,682,018 - fully funded with recurring general revenue (Includes $489,000 of new project funding).

Substance Abuse:

Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse – fully funded with $6,960,000 shifted to non-recurring

Adult Substance Abuse - fully funded with $8,140,000 shifted to non-recurring

Criminal Justice Grants: $3,000,000 funded

Forensic Hospitals: Reduction of 82 Forensic beds and a 7% ($14,501,589) reduction

Civil Hospitals: 10% reduction in civil hospitals ($9,371,569)

Sexual Predators Program: ($2,000,000) reduction

DCF Administration: ($20,348,951)/273 FTE reduction

Mental Health Administration: ($3,149,690)/47 FTE reduction

Substance Abuse Administration: ($2,108,482)/32 FTE reduction

Other areas of HHS:

Medically Needy and Meds Ad: Fully funded

Hospitals: 12% Medicaid rate reduction

Children’s Hospitals: 4% Medicaid rate reduction

Nursing Homes: 6.5% Medicaid rate reduction

Developmental Disabilities: 4% rate reduction – 2011 deficit funded at $54 million

Other News:

Regulatory Relief: The Council’s regulatory relief bills (SB 1366 and HB 959) moved closer to passage. The House took up SB 1366 on the Floor today and moved it to 3^rd Reading. It is anticipated the SB 1366 will pass tomorrow and sent to the Governor.

Medicaid Reform: There is no information regarding whether the legislature will attempt Reform this session; however both the House Bill and the Senate Bill are on the Senate calendar and technically could be taken up at any time.

The Appropriations Bill is in the process of being “printed”. Once everything is typed into the bill the bill will be electronically emailed to all legislators. Once the bill hits the desk the 72 hour countdown to Sine Die will begin. The bill will include proviso however there are several conforming bills that also impact state spending. The conforming bills do not have to sit for 72 hours and can be amended until the end. Once we have a copy of the Appropriations Bill we will provide your more detail.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »

5. May 2011 by admin.

Florida Mental Health Consumer Reinvestment grant funding restored!

Members,

As often happens in budget negotiations, funds miraculously appear after being eliminated. During today’s 12:30 conference committee meeting, staff made reference to the grant program and a funding amount but the printed report did not come out until a short time ago so that we could confirm the information.

The line item includes $3 million with $2,250,000 designated for the Public Safety, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Local Matching Grant program. The program has been funded at the full $3 million in previous years so we’ll do some checking to find out how the reduced amount will be allocated. The good news is that the GRANT IS BACK!

The budget has been printed so this amount will not change for the coming 2011-2012 budget year which begins July 1. I’ll share additional details as I receive them.

Thanks again to everyone for your great advocacy work this session!

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 2 Comments »

4. May 2011 by admin.

NAMI Florida, Inc. Administrative Assistant Nichole Theis asked all Floridians to “Please share with others”.  In my last post NO CUTS TO Mental Health AND Substance Abuse FUNDING BUT REINVESTMENT GRANTS ELIMINATED.  Please read over the Please information contained in the CHAINReaction newsletter and take any action you can to help pass the full legislature.

You can reach Nichole Theis:

NAMI Florida, Inc.  - 1030 E. Lafayette Street, #10 - Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tel: 850-671-4445 - Fax: 850-671-5272 - nst826@yahoo.com - www.namifl.org

May 3, 2011

Only one week left for Florida’s regular legislative session, and a promised Medicaid package has yet to pass the full legislature. Last week’s news from Washington’s CMS may impact the final outcome.

• Last Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to Florida informing the State they will not authorize statewide expansion of the Medicaid Reform pilot program because they don’t have anything to approve yet. They also told the State they want to see stronger accountability and consumer protections. The battle is far from over, but we here at Florida CHAIN are very happy that CMS was so responsive to the concerns we raised and are grateful to all of you who helped make the case that an expansion of the Medicaid Reform pilot would be dangerous to Floridians’ health.

• Florida CHAIN analyzed the impact of the CMS decision on pending legislation.

• Read Florida CHAIN’s previous letter to CMS explaining that AHCA’s notice was legally out-of-bounds, and that rejecting Florida’s plan was the only possible response.

• Greg Mellowe sums up what the CMS letter means in the Associated Press.

• Last week, Florida CHAIN issued an urgent alert to take action on the disastrous Medicaid privatization bill. The Senate still hasn’t voted, so please click and take action. Tell your Senator: Sick Floridians are Not for Sale! It’s quick and easy: Just add your name and contact information.

• Debate over the Senate Medicaid bill has been filled with untruths. Read our CHAIN Links to Reality fact check on SB 1972.

• To advance our campaign, Moving Forward, Protecting Our Care, Florida CHAIN is delivering a series of interactive workshops across the state to educate the public on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Space is still available for the May 4^th Palm Beach workshop and the May 26th Tampa Bay workshop.

• Want to make sure Florida implements the Affordable Care Act? Join organizations for a statewide coalition meeting and strategy session in Orlando, May 12^th.

• Florida CHAIN continues to make consumer voices heard in the news media. Here’s the latest:

• • Expectant mothers’ experience with Medicaid Reform in Health News Florida.
  • Florida CHAIN Executive Director takes issue with selling off Florida’s sick and poor in Public News Service.
  • Davie mother and Medicaid advocate Vicki Ahern speaks out in the New York Times.

Do you have trouble accessing your prescription medications? Tell us about it to help us advocate for change.

For up-to-date comments on health happenings in Florida, connect with us and share on  Facebook and  Twitter.

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »

3. May 2011 by admin.

As you may know, or may not know, in Florida we are one of the worst states for mental health services ranking 47th in spending and 12th when it comes to individuals with serious mental health issues in prison.  There’s been a push this month and last month to stop any more spending cuts for mental health services and it seems like there will be no cuts… It’s a HUGE win for Florida Peer Advocates!!!  I just received this e-mail:

NO CUTS TO MH AND SA FUNDING BUT REINVESTMENT GRANTS ELIMINATED

 

 

After negotiating until 4:00 this morning, the Legislature has agreed to a new budget.  There were NO cuts to mental and health and substance abuse treatment services including the special projects.  This is particularly amazing given that most other services including nursing homes, hospitals and others took cuts of as much as 6% - 12%.

 

Unfortunately, the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment grants were eliminated in the proposal.  The House had funded them at full funding of $3 million but the Senate had no funding.  The House agreed to the Senate position.

 

In other bad news, the Department of Children and Families will lose 273 positions overall, plus 222 positions in the civil commitment area and 275 positions in the forensic system.

 

We are still sorting through the hundreds of pages of language that accompanies the budget and will have additional updates as they come in.

 

Thanks to all of you for your great advocacy work – you made the difference!!

Public Policy Co-Chair

NAMI Florida

Posted in Mental Health Activists, mental health advocates | Print | 1 Comment »