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This year, NYAPRS advocacy efforts were particularly significant in terms of the level of active organizing around key public policy issues. Leaders who participate in the Public Policy Committee, Lobby Day 2004, and other regionally-based activities approached the 2004 legislative session with strength and determination, as well as a notable commitment to activism.

Beginning decades ago, the consumer advocacy movement continues to successfully influence law, improve resource allocation, and result in necessary oversights, systemic reforms, and protection of human rights. This year, there was landmark consumer activism around three issues: adult home reform, alternatives to solitary confinement for psychiatrically disabled prisoners, and passage of comprehensive behavioral health insurance parity legislation.

Today, over 12,000 people with psychiatric disabilities reside in adult homes, which, at present, are ill-equipped to offer sufficient rehabilitative services. With unwavering attention towards the growing needs of adult home residents, advocates approached the Governor's proposed $10 million initiative as a first step towards adequately funding and serving residents. As part of the Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled and the New York State Coalition for Adult Home Reform, NYAPRS organized residents to travel to Albany on two occasions.

Through the NYAPRS Lobby Day and the first-ever Adult Home Speak Out, adult home residents from across the state traveled to Albany to highlight the reforms necessary to the improvement of the state's adult homes. Advocacy efforts focused on an earmark of funds for resident clothing, air conditioning, and personal needs, an additional inclusion of QUIP funding to address ongoing infrastructure needs, an increase for SSI recipients, mechanisms to investigate and penalize unsafe homes, and an earmark of housing for the 6,000 adult home residents in need of alternate placements.

Another issue which NYAPRS advocates tirelessly focused on was passing legislation which would prevent psychiatrically disabled prisoners from being inhumanely placed into solitary confinement or SHU (special housing units). As part of the Mental Health Alternatives to Solitary Confinement coalition, NYAPRS advocates testified at hearings, met with lawmakers, ensured widespread press coverage, and held rallies to raise awareness and gain legislative support of this important issue. In this concerted effort to abolish the use of SHU on prisoners, advocates secured passage of bill A8849 in the Assembly.

This year's impressive commitment to advocacy also culminated around efforts to pass comprehensive behavioral health care parity insurance law or Timothy's Law. Passage of such law would prevent private insurance companies from charging higher co-pays and limiting visits for those seeking mental health or chemical dependency services as compared to coverage for those seeking physical health care. Demonstrated through multiple trips to Albany and steadfast pressure on lawmakers, NYAPRS advocates continually encouraged New York to enact Timothy's Law. Never losing spirit or fervor, NYAPRS-NYC advocates continue to encourage lawmakers to negotiate a comprehensive form of parity insurance law.

As Co-Chair of the NYAPRS Public Policy Committee, I continue to be amazed by the level of dedication our community commits to improving conditions through advocacy. To learn more about the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services or read the latest NYAPRS Advocacy Update, please visit www.nyaprs.org.

GETTING INVOLVED

Public Policy Committee: Meeting every 2-3 weeks, the NYAPRS Public Policy Committee is charged with ascertaining priority issues and determining strategies aimed at policy shifts. To get involved, please either call or email Vuka at (212) 780-1400, ext. 792 or vukas@communityaccess.org respectively.

Elections 2004: Please don't forget to register. The last day to register for the presidential election is October 8th. To learn more or request a registration form, please visit or call the New York City Board of Elections at (212) VOTE-NYC or www.vote.nyc.ny.us

NYAPRS-NYC-Region: To become more involved in the NYAPRS-NYC-Region, please contact either of the two recently elected Regional Coordinators, Leon Marquis or Rick Sostchen. Leon may be reached at either (718) 264-5120 or shadvocates@aol.com and Rick may be reached at (718) 875-7744 or rsostchen@balticstreet.org.