News

Press Release | MHLAC files complaint against Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for failing to provide special education for incarcerated youth

See press release for more information about MHLAC’s recently filed complaint against the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) for failing to fulfill its statutory duty to “provide special education to school aged children with a disability who are incarcerated in county houses of correction.”

Hiring Update December 2023 | Open positions announcement

MHLAC is hiring for several new roles: Executive Assistant, Office Manager, and a Litigation Paralegal. See the following job announcements for a description of each position and full details on how to apply.

Deadline: Submissions received after January 8, 2024 may not be considered. 

• The Executive Assistant, a newly created position, will work full-time coordinating and supporting the work of MHLAC’s management and financial teams. In addition to typical administrative functions such as scheduling meetings and invoice management, this person will also work closely with administrative staff to build strong communications, internally and externally, and support our advocates by making sure all systems function dependably, processes are consistent, and needs are addressed.     
  • Executive Assistant – PDF  
  • Executive Assistant – Word Doc  

• The Litigation Paralegal will support litigation efforts in conjunction with advocacy teams or individual attorneys. This includes the full continuum of a case, from the initial research phase to settlement negotiations or trial in either state or federal court.  
  • Litigation Paralegal – PDF  
  • Litigation Paralegal – Word Doc

• The Office Manager will work full-time in person at MHLAC’s main office screening intakes, ensuring office systems and equipment run efficiently and that advocates serving our clients are administratively supported while working in a hybrid model.   
  • Office Manager – PDF  
  • Office Manager – Word Doc  

All interested applications are encouraged to apply as soon as possibly by submitting their cover letter and resume to hiring@mhlac.org. 

Join Us for Parole Reform Advocacy Day 10/31/23

Join Us for Peer Support Advocacy Day June 21st

Join us for Peer Support Advocacy Day at the State House on June 21st! Hosted by Wildflower Alliance and MassACT, come learn about the bill to establish the first LGBT+ respites in Massachusetts. The day of Transhealth CEO, Dallas Ducar, will give the keynote speech about why we should support peer respites.

Support for Equitable Approaches to Public Safety (EAPS) Grant Program

MHLAC is pleased to sign on and present this letter of support for the Equitable Approaches to Public Safety (EAPS) grant program. Please read the letter in its entirety here:

EAPS Coalition Budget Letter of Support 3-23-23

Hiring Update March 2023

UPDATE April 2023: The position for Family Law Attorney has been filled. Thank you to all of our applicants and for your interest in MHLAC.

March 2023 Hiring Update – MHLAC is hiring! 

MHLAC is searching for a new Staff Attorney to work on advocacy projects and collaborate with staff to advance the work of the office in defending the rights of persons with mental health concerns. 

Staff Attorney  

MHLAC is also hiring an experienced Family Law Attorney, full time for a short term (from May 2023 to January 2024 as an estimate). 

Family Law Attorney  

All interested applications are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting their cover letter and resume to hiring@mhlac.org. Applications received after March 31st, 2023 may not be considered.  

New | DEI Statement on Police Violence

MHLAC’s statement in full, also found at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – MHLAC.

“Police violence in the United States is detrimental to our mental health. The total lack of compassion evident in the recent killing of Sayed Faisal, in Cambridge, MA, and the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, TN, are just two examples of the 79 people killed by police in the United States in just the first month of 2023. We express our sadness for the profound grief of the families and communities of Sayed Faisal, Tyre Nichols, and all those who have lost loved ones to police violence.

Many of the most shocking incidents of police killings have involved calls to help persons who, like Mr. Faisal, were in acute mental health crisis. Addressing the myriad problems underlying police violence in our nation presents a daunting challenge, but one area in which substantive change is immediately possible is to replace police with mental health professionals in response to such crises.

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee stands with all members of our community, near and far, in demanding change. Every person deserves the opportunity to be met with compassion, humanity, and self-determinate assistance whenever they encounter law enforcement, particularly when experiencing a mental health crisis. We are committed to a comprehensive reimagining of what community safety and public health can look like. MHLAC supports comprehensive policing reform and expanded access to mental health services for all, which includes our ongoing work to develop and implement unarmed, non-law enforcement crisis response teams trained to respond constructively to community members experiencing mental health crises.”

Register Now | August 1st Legislative Advocacy Training

MHLAC is pleased to announce an online legislative advocacy training event with MHLAC attorneys, Ivy Moody and Sarah Yousuf, on August 1st, 2022 10am EST.

“Learn how to use your personal story to be the catalyst for social change. This 2-hour interactive training is designed for people with lived experience who want to learn how to effectively advocate for the issues they care about. Participants will be trained on how to share their stories in a powerful and impactful way with legislators and policymakers.” 

Click here to register. 

What is 988? SAMHSA announces new suicide and crisis lifeline

MHLAC Staff attorney Ivy Moody with Seedlings colleague Thomas Brown recently penned this letter regarding the new 988 Lifeline that launched on July 16th, 2022. Visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA to learn more.

Resources for Additional Information:

• Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program
• FCC 988 Fact Sheet
• Suicide Prevention Hotline Fact Sheet
• National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020
• Mass Gov 988 Fact Sheet
• 988 Commission Authorizing State Senate Statute
• 988 Commission Authorizing State House of Representatives Statute

Hiring Update April 2022

April 2022 Hiring Update – New Attorney search announced

MHLAC is searching for a new Litigation Staff Attorney. The ideal candidate is an individual with substantial litigation experience to work on advocacy projects and collaborate with staff to advance the work of the office in defending the rights of persons with mental health concerns.

• Litigating Staff Attorney

MHLAC is also offering a unique opportunity for a social worker to join our work. This position is part-time and currently a temporary position.

• Social Worker – temporary

All interested applications are encouraged to apply as soon as possibly by submitting their cover letter and resume to hiring@mhlac.org.

Intake Update | limited service only until May 31st

Accepting new intakes only from individuals currently on inpatient units. Also accepting calls from advocates, providers and legislative offices. All other intake areas are closed.

Intake will reopen Monday, May 31st.

Thank you for your patience.

New | Parole, Power and Punishment is now available

Parole, Power, and Punishment: The Massachusetts Parole Board’s Discriminatory Treatment of People with Mental Health Disabilities

Northeastern University School of Law’s Law Office 3 partnered with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee to investigate the Massachusetts Parole Board’s treatment of individuals with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Our research demonstrates that the Board routinely violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and discriminates against individuals with disabilities. Our project aims to inform a more equitable parole system in Massachusetts for all.

We are looking forward to our community presentation for our white paper on Wednesday, March 30^th @ 5pm. Check our facebook page for details.

Hiring Update December 2021

December 2021 Hiring Update – administrative and support positions

MHLAC recently completed hiring searches for open positions, including Senior Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorney, Family Law Project Attorney and Advocate. More details to follow on welcoming new staff to MHLAC.

Current open positions @ MHLAC are:

• Office Manager
• Technology Support Specialist

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before January 21, 2022

For all questions and inquiries, please email hiring@mhlac.org

MOVING ANNOUNCEMENT

MHLAC is moving to a new office space in Quincy in February 2022! Please send all mail to our new address:

100 Hancock Street, 10^th Floor, Suite 1002, Quincy, MA 02171.

We will be fully remote through February 1, 2022 and conducting all business virtually until we can welcome you to our new space. You may still reach us by telephone (617)338-2345, fax (617)338-2347, and email mhlac@mhlac.org. Find us on social media at facebook and LinkedIn.

Hiring Update October 2021 | new open positions

MHLAC is currently hiring for 2 new administrative and support positions. See job descriptions for full details. Also, MHLAC continues to seek interested applicants for the open Advocate position.

• Office Manager
• Technology Support Specialist

Contact hiring@mhlac.org for additional information and questions.

Service Interruption | phone system upgrade – resolved October 4, 2021

Phones are up and running again (October 4, 2021)

Our phone system is being upgraded. Currently, there is no phone service. Phones should be back in service shortly. Intake is closed during this time however you can continue to contact the intake department at intake@mhlac.org. Once our system is back on line, limited service will be provided, specifically responding to callers calling from facilities. We anticipate completion of the phone work by Wednesday, September 15 with Intake fully operational beginning Thursday, September 16th.

Hiring Update July 2021 | multiple open positions announcement

MHLAC is hiring! Announcing (4) newly open positions. See the following job announcements for a description of each position and full details on how to apply. We encourage email submissions and ask that all questions about the hiring process be directed to hiring@mhlac.org.

Advocate

Staff Attorney (2 current openings)

Family Law Attorney

New Blog post | “The Mental Health Toll of Climate Change: What Should The Public Health System Do?”

Read MHLAC’s recent blog post

Did you know that according to the World Economic Forum’s 2016 Global Risks Report, the failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be “the most impactful risk” facing communities worldwide in the coming decade—ahead even of weapons of mass destruction and water crises? Read MHLAC Senior Staff Attorney, Jennifer Honig’s blog about what we can expect in the coming decades and what the mental health systems and community should consider.

Hiring Update March 2021 | Senior Supervising Attorney position announced

MHLAC is seeking to fill the open position of Senior Supervising Attorney, a newly created role here at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee.

TODAY | Session 1 of MHLAC & Social Law’s Accessible Justice conference

Today, Session 1 of a 4 part conference series offered by MHLAC & Social Law, “ATTORNEY’S DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE & ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS WHEN REPRESENTING A CLIENT LIVING WITH A DISABILITY,” is being held virtually. If you miss this one, you can still register for the upcoming sessions on Jan 21, 26 and Feb 2, 2021. Go here for more information about the “ACCESSIBLE JUSTICE: Representing Clients Living with Psychiatric, Intellectual, and/or Developmental Disabilities” conference including registration details.

Register Now | Social Law and MHLAC present ACCESSIBLE JUSTICE: Representing Clients Living with Psychiatric, Intellectual, and/or Developmental Disabilities

This four-part conference will discuss ways to make our justice system—from client counseling to litigation—accessible to individuals living with psychiatric, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities.

DATES: January 12th, 21st, 26th and February 2nd (all 4 sessions will be held from 2-3:30 pm via online webinar format only)

PROGRAM FEE:
$35 per session OR special discount price of $100 for all four sessions.

CLICK HERE for more information and registration.

Discipline & School Exclusion during COVID-19

Massachusetts Advocates for Children, The EdLaw Project and MHLAC are all working to support students during COVID-19. Please contact us if your child or a student you know is disciplined for behavior due to disability, trauma or other stressors.

Tribute | Chief Justice Ralph Gants

MHLAC staff members are shocked and distressed at the sudden passing of the leader of the Judicial branch of which we are a part. Chief Justice Gants was a brilliant and courageous jurist with an encompassing sense of duty toward those for whom justice is an unrealized promise. His position on the bench did not silence him for sake of judicial impartiality, but instead instilled a call to moral leadership, which he answered by exposing the injustice of gross racial disparities in policing, prosecution, and imprisonment. On nights and weekends, at community events and forums, he spoke out on these issues with uncommon insight, kindness, humility, and even humor. His willingness to tackle harsh truths from a position of power was a source of inspiration and hope for many. While we mourn his passing, we also are grateful for having known this great leader and wonderful man, if only from a distance. We extend deepest sympathies to his family and closest friends and colleagues.

Obituary from the Boston Globe

MHLAC’s recommitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice

Black lives matter. MHLAC stands in solidarity with those protesting the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others killed by white supremacy. Further, we state our complete abhorrence of the Trump administration’s response: sending federal agents in unmarked vehicles to arrest protestors over the strenuous objection of local governments. The recent report  on the racial disparities in Massachusetts’ criminal justice system reminds us of the urgency with which we must address these matters in the Commonwealth.

Justice will never be achieved for those with mental health needs – or anyone else – in a system that perpetuates white supremacy. Racism wreaks damage daily on the mental health of those who must endure it. Many victims of police brutality are people with disabilities, and ableism in addition to racism is a direct cause of their deaths. Half of all those killed by law enforcement officers are people living with a disability. We say their names, too: Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, Stephon Watts, Kajieme Powell.

MHLAC recommits to dismantling the structural barriers of racism that block truly equal justice by finding new ways to continue and expand our work in the space where racism and mental health intersect.  MHLAC also recommits to examining our own internal biases and will do everything we can to identify and tear down any organizational walls that exist within our own workplace so that we are more inclusive for all.

Media | Major discrepancies arise between reported and actual data of school based arrests

The work of MHLAC’s Matt Cregor along with Citizens for Juvenile Justice and Strategies for Youth is highlighted in recent media segments.

• https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/09/18/police-schools-arrest-reports-mass
• https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/districts-coming-up-short-on-reporting-school-based-arrests/
• https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/boston-public-schools-approves-new-policy-sharing-student-information-with-law-enforcement/2QNTNWZ4RFEMXEAYECBV6OK3F4/

Media | Staff Attorney Robert Hernandez quoted about recent discrimination lawsuit

MHLAC Staff Attorney, Robert Hernandez, was quoted in recent Lawyers Weekly article highlighting the settlement reached in a discrimination lawsuit involving a latino parent group, Holyoke Public Schools and the State of Massachusetts.

Press Release | July 31, 2020 MHLAC files complaint against Tewksbury Hospital

See press release for information about MHLAC’s recently filed complaint and preliminary injunction on behalf of patients needlessly confined at Tewksbury Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Listen here to Thursday’s hearing scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Press release | Latino Parent Group, Holyoke Public Schools and State Reach Settlement in Discrimination Lawsuit

See press release (Spanish) announcing the recent settlement agreement MHLAC and its legal partners reached to improve school communications and notice for parents with limited english proficiency and students at Holyoke Public Schools.

“Under the settlement agreement, Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) is implementing detailed
principles and procedures for providing interpretation and translation services to LEP parents and
guardians, and reporting on their efforts to attorneys with the Massachusetts Law Reform
Institute, Inc. (MLRI) and The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC), an
affiliated agency of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, both of which are co-counsel in
this case.”

New | Article written by Senior Attorney Jennifer Honig | “How Public Officials Can Protect the Rights of Prisoners with Mental Illness”

Read Attorney Jennifer Honig’s article (full length) recently published as a blog post on NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) website. The article describes steps public officials can take such as: ensuring appropriate medications are available, establishing external oversight, managing medical contracts carefully, and offering specific instruction on what care should look like to assist in protecting the rights of prisoner with mental illness.

We want to hear from you! | Important Survey

Media | “The lockdown threatens prisoners’ lives’’

Recent WGBH Article highlighting the dangers prisoners are experiencing during the COVID health emergency.

“The lockdown threatens prisoners’ lives,’’ advocates wrote in the missive signed by members of Disability Law Center, the Center for Public Representation and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, among others.

Media | Letter to the Boston Globe by MHLAC Executive Director, Phillip Kassel

Letter to the Boston Globe written by MHLAC’s Executive Director, Phillip Kassel in response to recent piece by Yvonne Abraham, “Pandemic in our prisons,” which describes the spreading of COVID-19 among prisons in Massachusetts. Kassel describes the cruel treatment in store for imprisoned people even if they don’t get sick and advocates furlough or release for some of the most vulnerable.

Submitted | The Disability Law Center and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee sent a letter to the state Thursday requesting more information about the treatment of patients in the Metro Boston Mental Health Units at the Shattuck hospital

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2020/04/16/mental-health-advocacy-groups-launch-investigation-of-lemuel-shattuck-hospital-after-rapid-spread-of-covid-19-cases

Your Rights | Information for DMH & DDS Clients

MHLAC, the Disability Law Center (DLC) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) wrote a resource pamphlet on Your Rights as They Pertain to COVID-19’s Effects on DMH and DDS Facilities in Massachusetts.

Word version of Your Rights – COVID

Your Rights – COVID

Your Rights | Concerned about leaving your home for physical or mental health appointments because of COVID-19?

See MHLAC’s Telehealth COVID-19 Flyer. Also available in Spanish.

Resource Info. | MHLAC’s Daylinks – resources in response to COVID-19

MHLAC has begun posting links we think our clients and colleagues will find useful during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health emergency on our facebook page. They will also be posted in this Blog which will be updated regularly.

Submitted | MHLAC voices concerns to Governor Baker

See the letter MHLAC sent last week to Governor Baker describing concerns for incarcerated individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resource Info. | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

The impact and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop. As of today, MHLAC remains operational. The following are links you may find useful to review:

For mental health support during COVID19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html

For information and resources on preparing your household for COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html

For Massachusetts specific guidance: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-guidance-and-recommendations

(closed) Hiring update | MHLAC is hiring!

Updated: 3.11.2020 | Open position has been filled

MHLAC is hiring! If you or someone you know is interested in joining MHLAC as a Staff Attorney, we’re accepting submissions (cover letter & resume) through January 24, 2020. Email to hiring@mhlac.org or Mail to ATTN: Hiring Committee, MHLAC, 24 School Street, Suite 804, Boston, MA 02108.

Please, no phone calls. Thank you for your interest.

Additional information can be found at http://mhlac.org/employment-opportunities/

(closed) Hiring announcement – Attorney position opening

The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) is hiring an attorney to help pursue the Agency’s mission to defend the rights of persons with mental health concerns. We seek persons with a demonstrated commitment to social justice through legal advocacy and the skills to do high quality work toward this end. Experience in developing and guiding major systemic advocacy campaigns, including those involving community partnerships and litigation, is strongly preferred. Fluency in Spanish or another foreign language also strongly preferred. See http://mhlac.org/what-we-do/ for a description of MHLAC’s approach and work.

How to Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter via email or mail to: Ms. Laís Teixeira, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, 24 School Street, Suite 804, Boston, MA 02108, hiring@mhlac.org. Applications received after January 24, 2020 may or may not be considered. No phone calls please.

mhlac job announcement – attorney Dec 2019

Save the Date | MHLAC Fall 2019 training

November 14, 2019, MHLAC will be hosting a full-day conference event.

TAKING THE “CRIMINAL” OUT OF “CRIMINAL JUSTICE”: A look at people with mental health needs in Massachusetts after the Criminal Justice Reform Act

REGISTER HERE

See program agenda and details on our trainings page

(closed) Hiring update | No longer accepting applications for Summer 2019 open positions

MHLAC is hiring! We are excited to announce that we have 2 open positions. We are hiring for an Office Manager and a Paralegal. Go to http://mhlac.org/employment-opportunities/ for details.

Call to Action | How you can help!

Did you know that disability insurers in Massachusetts can legally pay wage replacement benefits to employees with mental health disabilities for a vastly shorter period of time than to those with physical disabilities? Insurers typically pay no or 1-3 years of benefits to employees with psychiatric disabilities, while people with physical disabilities receive benefits until retirement age. This discrimination is based on outdated images of mental illness as untreatable and disrespect for the professionalism of mental health professionals. Get involved in demanding disability insurance parity for people with psychiatric disabilities! Click here to find out how you can help. Click here for fact sheet.

MHLAC events | Now you can view videos from Race Racism and Mental Health!

The videos of the 2-day conference at Harvard Law School sponsored by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice are now available to view at

MHLAC Events | Conference materials from Race, Racism and Mental Health are posted. Conference videos coming soon!

Race, Racism and Mental Health

Your Rights | Thanks to Intern Adriana our GED flier has been updated to include the HiSET exam!

Check it out here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! | We are looking for reports of people with lived experience being denied care for physical problems because of your mental health history!

Have you or someone you know ever experienced medical symptoms that were not taken seriously because the doctor knew about your psychiatric history? Were you denied care for a physical problem because staff told you “it was all in your head”? If so, please let MHLAC know so that we can learn more about the misuse of psychiatric records and advocate for consumer control of records.

Please email us at: ListenToMe@mhlac.org. Please give as full a description as possible of what happened. We keep identifying information confidential unless you specifically say that we may use it in our efforts. If you do not want MHLAC to know your name, you can mail your account to us at:

Attn: Listen to Me Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee 24 School Street, Suite 804, Boston, MA 02108; or fax from a public location to MHLAC at (617) 338-2347

Submitted | Adversives Testimony by MHLAC December 2017

Media | Watch former MHLAC Senior Attorney, Miriam Ruttenberg talk about student arrests at school on this Channel 5 Investigates

Watch former MHLAC Senior Attorney, Miriam Ruttenberg talk about student arrests at school on Channel 5 Investigates

Submitted | Testimony of Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary, at its Hearing of June 19, 2017, Regarding H. 74, An Act Implementing the Joint Recommendations of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review, as well as S.1296/H.2248, S.1297/H.2249, S.1286/H.3071, Regarding the Use of Solitary Confinement in Massachusetts Prisons and Jails

testimony

Submitted | Testimony in Support of H. 2389/S. 1084 An Act Transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health & H. 2406 An Act relative to the Civil Commitment of Mentally Ill Persons to Bridgewater State Hospital

Testimony submitted by Jennifer Honig and Phillip Kassel of MHLAC and Robert Flesichner of the Center of Public Representation

Media | Staff Attorney Lauren Roy, mentioned in Pulse of Longwood’s article on mental health patients’ rights to access fresh air while in the hospital.

See Lauren Roy, mentioned in Pulse of Longwood’s article on mental health patients’ rights to access fresh air while in the hospital.

Media | See Phil Kassel quoted in a Patriot Ledger article by Chris Burrell about staff safety concerns at a psychiatric hospital in Pembroke.

See Phil Kassel quoted in a Patriot Ledger article by Chris Burrell about staff safety concerns at a psychiatric hospital in Pembroke.

Submitted | Testimony of Miriam H. Ruttenberg, Senior Attorney, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee before the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse on HB 3898, Resolve Establishing a Special Commission on Behavioral Health Promotion and Upstream Prevention February 9, 2016

Submitted | Testimony of Phillip Kassel, Executive Director for the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Informational Hearing

Testimony of Phillip Kassel for the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Informational Hearing held May 28, 2015

February 5, 2015 MHLAC Press Release – Fresh Air

See our February 5, 2015 Fresh Air Press Release . Go to https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter476 for the law’s language.

See Jennifer Honig’s article about the involuntary committment of women with substance use issues appearing in Boston Bar Journal’s Winter edition.

See Jennifer Honig’s article about the involuntary committment of women with substance use issues appearing in Boston Bar Journal’s Winter edition.

Media | MHLAC’s Susan Fendell appearing on a episode of the Disability Law Center’s Disability Connection discussing the sharing of electronic medical records of psychiatric patients.

See Susan Fendell appearing on a episode of the Disability Law Center’s Disability Connection discussing the sharing of electronic medical records of psychiatric patients.

Media | See February 10, 2014 letter appearing in the Boston Globe by Phil Kassel, Miriam Ruttenberg and colleague Dan Losen on student arrests.

See February 10, 2014 letter appearing in the Boston Globe by Phil Kassel, Miriam Ruttenber and colleague Dan Losen on student arrests.

Submitted | January 28, 2014 Testimony to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding proposed regulations implementing C. 222. MHLAC also participated in the drafting and submission of public commentsas part of the Education Law Task Force.

• Testimony submitted January 28, 2014, to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding proposed regulations implementing C. 222. MHLAC also participated in the drafting and submission of public comments as part of the Education Law Task Force.

Take Action | Legislative Update and Call to Action

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES ON OUR LEGISLATIVE WORK HERE 

Several legislative bills that would greatly benefit people with mental health conditions are close to advancing in the legislature, and MHLAC needs you to act.  It will only take a few minutes.  Please read below to see how you can help!  

 S.1238/H.3602 

An Act Establishing Peer-Run Respite Centers Throughout the Commonwealth. 

This bill will create more safe spaces for people undergoing crisis, a crucial alternative to the treatment that is currently being offered now. Learn more about the bill by visiting Wildflower Alliance’s resource page here.    

How you can help:   

Call or email the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and tell them to support this bill! 

• • Chair Adrian Madaro –  

adrian.madaro@mahouse.gov 

(617) 722-2060 

• • Chair John Velis – 

 john.velis@masenate.gove  

(617) 722-1415 

• • Post on Social Media 
    • Share the following videos created by Wildflower Alliance –  

• • • Follow MHLAC on Facebook here and post your support for this bill using MHLAC’s social media toolkit.   
    • Share Wildflower Alliance’s resource page 
  • Attend MHLAC’s virtual legislative trainings next week!   
    • Monday, April 29th at 11am – register HERE 
    • Tuesday, April 30th – register HERE 

S.669/H.940 – An Act Requiring Mental Health Parity for Disability Policies 

This bill creates parity for people with mental health conditions who are applying for disability insurance.  

How you can help –  

• Call the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and tell them to vote S.669 favorably out of committee 
  • Chair Michael Rodrigues  
    • michael.rodrigues@masenate.gov 
    • (617) 722-1114 
  • Vice Chair Cindy Friedman 
    • cindy.friedman@masenate.gov 
    • (617) 722-1432 

S.2587/H. 4416, An Act Relative to the Training, Assessment, and Assignment of Qualified School Interpreters in Educational Settings 

S.2587/H.4416 will establish a system for training and assessing qualified school interpreters.  The system will be phased in over several years by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and subject to appropriation. 

How you can help  

•  Find your legislator here, call them and ask them to support this budget amendment 

Peer Respite Advocacy Day | January 23rd

Join us at the State House on January 23^rd at 11:00 in the House Member’s Lounge.  We will start the day hearing from speakers involved with the peer respite movement and legislators will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions.  We will then move into the afternoon when we will break out into small groups (or solo if you wish!) to meet legislators in their offices and advocate for peer respites.  We will have information packets available for everyone that will include talking points.  

Refreshments will be available during the briefing (bagels, cream cheese, and cookies).  We will also take a break for lunch right after the briefing and there is host of fairly affordable eateries at Downtown Crossing across the park from the State House.  

ASL interpreters will be provided for the briefing from 11:00 – 12:00.  Please contact Thomas Brown at trolbrown1@me.com as soon as possible to request an interpreter.

For parking, there is very little street parking in the area and it is best to plan on parking in a garage near the State House.  Prices for these can run from around $25 – $40, depending on how long you stay.  This is made a whole lot more affordable by carpooling and splitting the charge!  Set your GPS for The Boston Common Parking Garage at Zero Charles St., and if this is full go to Center Plaza Garage at 30 Somerset Street.  We recommend that people plan on arriving 45 -30 minutes before the Briefing begins in order to be on time.  There may be unexpected traffic waits once getting into the city, and it will take 10 – 20 minutes to walk to the State House from the garages.  We will have to through security getting into the State House which also can slow us down. 

Advocacy Day was a great success this past summer, as a number of legislators told us that they really found it helpful and enjoyable to meet with us.  It helped smooth the way for more in-depth legislative advocacy work.  Let’s get even more people out for this one!