Champions for Mental Health
The Advocacy Center
January 1, 2021 | Issue 18
Runoff Election Day
January 5th, 2021
In the next week, the run-off election will determine the outcome of races for both U.S. Senate seats as well as one for the Public Service Commission. 

Early Voting

The early voting period today, Friday, January 1st. Visit your My Voter Page account to find the dates, locations, and hours of polling places. Please confirm before you vote! There may be fewer available options compared with the General Election. 

Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, January 5th. Polls are open from 7AM to 7PM. If you are in line at 7PM, you will be allowed to cast your vote. Unlike the early voting period, voters can cast their ballot on Election Day only at their assigned polling precinct.  To find yours, log into your account on My Voter Page. There have been many changes in the locations of these. If you have any uncertainty about where to go, contact your county registrar


Plan your vote! Be sure to:
  • Take a recognized form of photo ID with you.
  • If you have it, bring your Absentee Ballot with you, if you plan to cancel.
  • Expect a line at your polling place and bring what you need to stay comfortable.
  • Download a sample ballot from your account on My Voter Page. A good place to begin to research your choices is Ballotpedia.
  • Avoid electioneering at the polling place with apparel or accessories that express support of or opposition to a candidate.

If you do not present an acceptable form of identification or if poll workers cannot locate you on their list of registered voters, be sure to ask for a Provisional Ballot. You will have three days to supply or correct any information. Track the status of your provisional ballot on My Voter Page.

Absentee Ballots

IT'S TOO LATE TO MAIL IT!

Return it by 7pm on Election Day to your county election office or a designated Drop Box location. Click here to find locations or contact your county registrar's office using this directory.



If your Absentee Ballot did not arrive, you may still go to the polls and vote. But you must ask poll workers to cancel your ballot, a process that takes longer if you do not have the paper version.  If you do have a paper ballot that you wish to cancel, be sure to bring it with you to the polls. It is a felony to vote more than once. 
- Provided by United Way Atlanta
 Georgia Postpartum Extension Demonstration Waiver Application

On December 11, 2020, Georgia submitted an application for a new section 1115 demonstration titled, Georgia Postpartum Extension. The state proposes to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers from a period of sixty days to one hundred and eighty days. The goal of the bill is to provide a continuity of care that reduces maternal morbidity and mortality rates in the state.

The state requested a five-year demonstration approval period and intends to implement the demonstration statewide effective July 1, 2021. The federal public comment period will be open from December 23, 2020 through January 22, 2021. To read the application, and view/submit public comments please click here.

COVID-19 Stimulus Updates
Good News from Washington
President Trump signed the coronavirus relief bill on December 27, 2020. The $2.3 trillion bill, which includes a $900 billion relief package, averts the government shutdown and extends important unemployment benefits and provides $600 stimulus to all eligible citizens. Congressional leaders are said to be expressing optimism that a deal can be made soon on a new COVID-19 stimulus. The House passed a bill increasing the direct payments in the stimulus package from $600 to $2,000. The new proposal has been publicly supported by Georgia senators. You can read more about Sen. Perdue and Sen. Loeffler's thoughts here.

Since December 14th, the baseline of negotiation has been an updated bipartisan stimulus proposal. Among the less controversial components, totaling $748 billion, there are dollars for:

  • The Paycheck Protection Program.
  • Unemployment Assistance.
  • Vaccine distribution & related health costs.
  • Childcare.
  • SNAP (food stamp) and related food assistance.
  • Rental assistance along with an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium.
  • Broadband connectivity.
  • K-12 and post-secondary education.
The State of Mental Health in America
This year, the State of Mental Health in America report includes national and state data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. State rankings reflect both adult and youth (age 12-17) data and are based on 15 mental health and access measures.

The Mental Health of America report also includes information in the following categories:




 Mental Health Day at the Capitol 2021 Virtual Edition
Please join the Behavioral Health Services Coalition virtually on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 for Mental Health Day at the Capitol! Anyone whose life is impacted by mental health concerns is welcome!  Legislator appointments will be available. If interested, information is on the registration form for the event.

Corporate sponsorships are available. Contact Lisa Pace at lisa.pace@gpsn.org for more information.
Event Highlights:
 
  • Hear from legislators
  • Hear from the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission Subcommittee Chairs
  • Entertainment provided by R2ISE Theatre
  • Games with prizes
  • Hear from peers about peer services in Georgia
  • Hear from State of Georgia behavioral health leadership
  • Opportunity to engage with legislators via Zoom in private appointments
Legislative Town Hall: Upcoming
Mental Health Equity in Georgia Legislative Townhall

Currently Georgia ranks the worse in US in access to mental health care including access to insurance, access to treatment, quality and cost of insurance, access to special education, and mental health workforce availability. With the creation of the Behavioral Health Innovation and Reform Commission and groundbreaking peer support movement, Georgia has an opportunity to explore and adopt practices that will strengthen and integrate mental health care. Join Mental Health Advocates to explore the current state of mental health and access to care throughout Georgia. Learn from our panelists about healthcare waivers and mental health policies, workforce shortages and incentives, peer support and recovery, promising practices, community collaboration and advocacy in the pandemic and beyond.

Featuring-
Kim Jones, Executive Director, NAMI GA, Moderator
Monica Johnson, Director, Department of Behavioral Health & DD
Paul Lombardo, Professor, Georgia State University Law
Devon Orland, Director, Georgia Advocacy Office
Laura Harker, Policy Analyst, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Chris Johnson, Director of Communications, Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF GEORGIA