Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Housing Update, Action Needed: Deep Cut Sought for HUD 811 Program, New Housing Production Proposed for Elimination A NAMI alert - "As was reported in a NAMI E-News Alert last month, the Bush Administration’s FY 2006 seeks to cut funding for a key housing resource for people with severe mental illnesses and their families by 50% and completely eliminate funding for production of new units of supportive housing. NAMI is currently working with colleague disability organizations to oppose this unprecedented assault on a critical source of permanent supportive housing for non-elderly adults with severe disabilities. NAMI advocates are strongly encouraged to send a letter to both their U.S. Senators and their House member urging them to reject this proposal..."  
  

Mental health advocates wary of TennCare cuts plan (Tennessee) Story in The Tennessean - "The state's mental health commissioner said yesterday that impending TennCare cuts make it difficult to foresee the future of mental health care in the state. 'We, as a group, need to figure out if we're not going to have more resources, then how do we spend what we have more wisely,' Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts told a group of more than 350 mental health advocates. The advocates are part of an effort by the Tennessee Coalition for Mental Health and Substance Abuse to raise awareness and erase stigmas of people dependent on the state for adequate health coverage."