Weekly News & Events
Advocacy Issue
March 29th, 2018
Last Friday, the NAMI California Board approved the priority legislation list for NAMI California. Bills were selected based on how well they match affiliate and member priorities , as well as NAMI CA’s policy platform. For comments and concerns, please contact advocacy@namica.org .
 
Find the 2018 NAMI-supported legislation list here broken into three tiers of support. All support bills, regardless of tier assignment, will at minimum receive a support letter from NAMI CA. 
 
Below, find information on advocacy activities for SB 1363, a NAMI-sponsored bill that provides a way to fund crisis intervention training programs administered by local NAMI affiliates.
Action Alert: Support
CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING
FOR POLICE OFFICERS
SB 1363 WILL BE HEARD IN THE SENATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE ON APRIL 4TH AT 9:30 A.M. IN ROOM 112.

SB 1363 creates the National Alliance on Mental Illness, California Voluntary Tax Contribution fund and allows taxpayers to donate to the fund using their state tax form. Donations made to the fund would pay for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program that trains police officers to safely interact with someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:
1)  Contact your representative and the Senate Governance and Finance Committee urging them to  support  this legislation. 

2)  Show your support by attending the hearing on April 4th at 9:30 a.m. in Room 112. If you can't attend, follow this link to get a live webcast of the hearing! ( click here )
 
3) Learn More: Click these links for more information on the bill.
 
 
Take action and voice your support!

For questions, contact advocacy@namica.org
NAMI CAN Call March 2018
FRIDAY, MARCH 30th (4-5pm)
 
Webinars and calls are meant to help keep affiliates and community members up to date with legislative and grassroots advocacy. During this time, we share opportunities on local and state updates, hear from affiliates across CA, and share experiences or expertise. The Policy Committee will meet this month to review recommendations and the Board is looking to approve our tier legislation this month as well. During the call we will share priority bill information
NAMI SMARTS for Advocacy Focus Group
For past NAMI Smarts for Advocacy participants we would like to make you aware of an opportunity to participate in a focus group. This group will help develop and enhance our current advocacy materials to include the voices of individuals from diverse communities. We are looking for roughly 30 individuals to participate and will have the capability of offering virtual participation.
  • Participants will gain knowledge of relevant and unique issues of diverse residents in their communities and learn how to best advocate on behalf of such issues with local and state-level decision-makers.
  • Local NAMI Smarts programs will be able to market an enhanced program that addresses issues relevant to diverse communities, increasing their own capacity to reach diverse communities and/or train more effective advocates.

Requirements:
  • Participants must have completed at least one NAMI Smarts for Advocacy Module
  • Participants must have approval to teach class from Affiliate Leader
 
Click here to complete the Focus Group Interest Form. 
Conference updates: *extended* early bird savings & overflow hotel booking
The NAMI California Annual Statewide Conference is June 1 - 2, 2018 in Monterey. Our early bird registration special has been extended to Monday April 2nd !

The Hyatt, where the conference is being held, is unfortunately SOLD OUT.
However, we have arranged for room availability for conference guests at a beautiful venue one mile from the Hyatt:

700 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93340
Board of Directors Voting
We have selected our candidates for the 2018-2019 Board of Directors! Please keep an eye out as ballots will be mailed to members soon.
Mail-in and online voting begins on Monday, April 16 th and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21 st .
Members can also hand deliver their ballot to the Conference in Monterey, but it MUST be received no later than the evening of Friday, June 1 st in the Conference voting area.
Check our website next week for further information on our candidates and voting!
Send Program Inquiries To:

NAMI California Office: (916) 567-0163  
Is the content of this email relevant to you?
Yes
No
What can we do better?
If you have something you'd like to see in the newsletter or want to send us a compliment, send us an email at  nami.california@namica.org

Have a comment, question or concern for the Board? Send us an email at asktheboard@namica.org

NAMI California | namica.org