Mental Health Advocacy Services
is a nonprofit organization protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with mental disabilities. |
Thank you for your support!
Visit www.mhas-la.org for the latest news and information from Mental Health Advocacy Services. |
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MHAS to Host Equal Justice Works Fellow
Congratulations to Eliza Schafler, who has been awarded a two-year Equal Justice Works Fellowship to launch a mental health medical-legal partnership project at MHAS. Eliza, a 2013 graduate of New York University School of Law, will work in partnership with Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services to serve the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking families. Using the model of successful pediatric medical-legal partnerships, Eliza's project will address the legal challenges of families who have children with mental health needs in order to help stabilize families and improve children's treatment outcomes. Thanks to Equal Justice Works and the law firm Greenberg Traurig for supporting this project.
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MHAS to Host Inaugural UCLA School of Law David J. Epstein Public Interest Law and Policy Education Fellowship
 Congratulations to Tanya Franklin, who was recently awarded UCLA School of Law's first ever David J. Epstein Public Interest Law and Policy Education Fellowship. Her project will provide advocacy for the educational rights of students at risk of being denied an equitable education because of issues with school discipline, special education, and juvenile detention. Utilizing both direct legal services and local policy advocacy, Tanya aims to facilitate stronger supports for all low-income students to graduate from high school, prepared for the colleges and careers of their choice. "I am committed to improving public education law and policy because I believe whole-heartedly that education can be the great equalizer in America," said Tanya. "Growing up in Los Angeles where less than 50% of my high school peers graduated with me, I have dedicated myself to changing this reality for future generations." |
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Save the Date!
Annual Celebration Set For October 24
Our Annual Celebration will be held on the evening of Thursday, October 24, 2013, at the downtown Los Angeles office of Munger, Tolles & Olson. Details on our Advocates Awards recipients, event sponsorship opportunities and tickets will be available soon.
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Summer Clerks at MHAS
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Summer 2013 students with MHAS Staff Attorney Ian Magladry.
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Our summer law clerks have arrived! We're happy to be hosting seven law clerks from USC, Stanford, University of Chicago, NYU and Harvard Law Schools this summer. The clerks are already busy assisting clients and working on legal research as they learn about strategies for addressing the legal problems faced by children and adults with mental disabilities. We also have two undergraduate volunteers from Occidental College assisting with client intake. In August, we will welcome two additional law students from UCLA and American University for our mini-August internship. We applaud all of these students for their commitment to public service, and we extend special thanks to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation for supporting our 2013 summer program.
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Impact Litigation Success in
Franco-Gonzalez v. Holder
As a result of litigation brought by the ACLU, MHAS, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Public Counsel and Sullivan & Cromwell, a federal judge ordered the provision of legal representation to immigrants with serious mental disabilities in immigration removal proceedings. Read the press release and court ruling on our website.
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Remembering Daphne
 We were saddened by the loss of longtime MHAS Office Manager Daphne Apostle, who passed away in April after a long battle with cancer. Daphne worked at MHAS from 1984 to 1992, and again from 1999 to 2007. Driven by her passion for helping others, she went back to school and earned a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Oaks College and became a therapist in the Older Adults program at Pacific Clinics. Daphne was truly one of a kind, and she brought joy to everyone around her. Our condolences to Daphne's family, including sons Jesse (who has been a valued member of MHAS' staff since 2009) and Eric and grandchildren Alyssa and Jude.
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MHAS 2012 Annual Report
Our 2012 Annual Report is now available here. The report includes summaries of our 2012 services, staffing, volunteers and supporters, along with a message from Executive Director Jim Preis.
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Jim Preis Honored
 On June 11, MHAS Executive Director Jim Preis was honored at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of A Community of Friends. Jim was one of the founding board members of this nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness through the provision of quality supportive housing for people with mental illness. Congratulations, Jim!
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Support MHAS When You Shop
For A Cause at Macy's
 Macy's stores will hold their annual Shop For A Cause day on Saturday, August 24, 2013. MHAS will receive the full $5 purchase price of each Shop For A Cause savings pass we sell, and the savings pass will provide 10% to 25% savings on most items and a chance to win a $500 gift card. Details are available on our website.
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We Can't Do It Without You!
Every day new clients call MHAS for help. In these difficult economic times, individual contributions are critical in allowing MHAS to meet the ever-growing demand for our services. Your support will make a real difference in the lives of people with mental disabilities. You can make a contribution here. THANK YOU -- every dollar counts!
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Thank you for your support of MHAS!
or call 213-389-2077.
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