NAMI TEXAS 2009 Legislative Priorities

NAMI TEXAS 2009 Legislative Priorities

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1. Community MH funding in the state budget: Increased capacity for recovery oriented adult services


With the new emphasis on mobile crisis outreach, funding is needed for increased capacity in the community for recovery oriented services. Most community mental health centers now have waiting lists for services; funding is needed to address this shortfall.

2. Community MH funding in the state budget: Crisis redesign maintenance
NAMI Texas supports the maintenance of the crisis redesign funding for the next biennium. Due to the late start of the roll out, the majority of funds in the current budget are targeted for 2009. NAMI Texas will fully support the maintenance of that amount for the next biennium.

3. Community MH funding in the state budget: Increased funding for children's services
Due to years of inadequacy in funding children's services in Texas, the present state of children's services is abysmal; additional funding is imperative to address this lack of services for children and adolescents.

4. Increased funding in the state budget for substance abuse/co-occurring mental illnesses
There is a serious lack of appropriate programs for those with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. NAMI Texas supports the increase in funding to address this serious issue.

Supported Issues
(This list may be added to as the session proceeds and other issues arise.)
Veteran's mental health initiatives
Additional state hospital capacity for staffed beds
Jail diversion strategies
Not guilty by reason of insanity issues
Competency restoration initiatives
Mandatory judicial training
Education of public school students/teachers K-12