Join the Virtual Rally for a COLA for MH/MR Services

Join the Virtual Rally for a COLA for MH/MR Services

June 16th, 2008

Join the MH/MR Coalition as We Call, Write and Visit Governor Rendell and Our Legislators 

Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27

MH/MR Services Need a COLA!

The Emergency Waiting List and Autism Services Must be Funded!

The good news is that SB 1373, the Senate version of the MH/MR Maintenance of Community Services Act has passed the Senate (43-7) and is now in the House Health and Human Services Committee awaiting consideration. HB 2241, the companion COLA in the House, has already been reviewed by the House Health and Human Services Committee and is now in the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

The bad news is that both COLA bills are now resting in House Committees, where it's possible they might stay unless there is a strong and unified call to move these bills forward for the entire House to vote on them. We are asking you to help us "free the COLA bills for a vote on the floor of the House."

The good news is that the draft budget bill presented in the House for amendments this week appears to include the Governor's proposed funding for the emergency waiting list and funding for autism services.

The bad news is that there is not sufficient funding to address the entire emergency waiting list and there is still NO COLA. We are asking you to raise your voice in support of funding for a 3% COLA, the MR Waiting List and Autism Services.

Show Governor Rendell and your legislator that --

  • passing COLA legislation (HB 2241/SB 1373),
  • A 3% COLA for MH/MR Services
  • Funding for the MR Waiting List and
  • Funding for Autism Services

are priorities to you and should be a priority for them by joining the 2008 MH/MR Coalition's Virtual Rally!

What is a Virtual Rally?

We are asking everyone to let Governor Rendell and your legislators know that supporting mental retardation and autism services supports Pennsylvania. Urge them to support a 3% COLA for community-based MR services and funding to address the waiting list and support autism services.
 

You can be a part of the Virtual Rally by --

1.       Participating in the activities listed below and,

2.       Sharing this action alert with anyone who cares about services and supports for people with autism, mental retardation or mental illness.

June 23rd Email Day

  • Use the PAR Action Center at www.par.net to email legislative leaders in the House and Senate (emails are below). Just click on the Virtual Rally link on the front page or use the emails listed in this PAR Mail to write to key legislators. Here is a sample email message:

My name is ______ and I am a (parent/provider/person who received mental retardation/autism services). I am writing to ask you to please support sufficient funding for a 3% cost of living adjustment for MH/MR and autism services, for services to people on the emergency waiting list and for autism services in this year's budget.

I am also asking for your support for HB 2241/SB 1373, which would require the Governor to include a COLA for community mental retardation and mental health services in his budget proposal to the legislature in future years. 

These services mean a lot to me and this is why: ___________________.

My name is ______ and I am a (parent/provider/person who received mental retardation/autism services). I am writing to ask Governor Rendell to please reconsider his position on annual cost of living adjustments for mental health and mental retardation services and to continue his support for the MR waiting list and autism funding. 

These services mean a lot to me and this is why: ___________________.

June 24th Call In Day

  • Call Governor Rendell at (717) 787-2500. You can use the following message:

"Hello, my name is ___________ and I would like to ask Governor Rendell to reconsider his position on annual cost of living adjustments for mental health and mental retardation services and to continue his support for the MR waiting list and autism funding."

  • Use the numbers below to call legislative leaders. Keep your message simple:

"Hello, my name is I am asking Senator (or Representative _________) to fully fund the emergency waiting list for people with mental retardation services, services for people with Autism and to support a 3% COLA for MH/MR and Autism services in the state budget. Thank you."

June 25thto the 27nd Make arrangements to meet with Your Legislators or their Aides

  • Schedule a meeting with your Senator or Legislator. Invite your legislator to your organization. Or invite staff and/or family members to join you as you visit their offices.
  • You can use the MH/MR Coalition Funding Request and the Eight Good Reasons for a 3% COLA presentation as talking points, but the main message of the meeting should be how not getting a COLA would impact you, the services you receive or provide, and the community. Never forget that your legislator is a member of your community.

Let's do everything we can to convince Governor Rendell and legislators that:

SUPPORTING MENTAL RETARDATION AND AUTISM SERVICES SUPPORTS PENNSYLVANIA.

Here are Key Legislators for the 2008 Virtual Rally:

Senate Leadership, Appropriations Committee

House of Representatives, Appropriation Leadership 

Please also contact these important legislative leaders:

Thank you for your advocacy! Together we can make a difference! Please let PAR know who you have contacted by emailing gabrielle@par.net or using the feedback form at www.par.net.

Gabrielle Sedor
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Association of Resources
Autism * Intellectual Disabilities
1007 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
717.236.2374
http://www.par.net

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