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Advocacy Initiative Network of Maine

The Advocacy Initiative Network (the Network) is a statewide organization developed by, for and with customers of mental health services throughout Maine. Our mission is to support the creation and sustainability of programs & initiatives that provide a better quality of life for Maine consumers.

Our beliefs have influenced how we have determined what constitutes consumer involvement.

Click here to learn more  

Proving Citizenship for MaineCare
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 11:04
Proving Citizenship for MaineCare has become a lot easier!
Starting January, 2010 people who have a Social Security Number and apply for MaineCare will have their citizenship and identity automatically verified.  This way you no longer have to present a birth certificate or other proof when you apply.  If you are not in the Social Security system, then you will have to prove your citizenship or identity or your legal immigrant status. 
If you lost your MaineCare because you were unable to provide a birth certificate, you can now reapply just using your Social Security number.   
Feel free to contact us if you questions about this change. 

Crystal M. Bond
Paralegal/Organizer
Maine Equal Justice Partners
126 Sewall Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
Tel: 1-866-626-7059 x 205
Fax: 207-621-8148
www.mejp.org
 
President's 2011 Budget is a Mixed Bag for People with Disabilities
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 10:49
With health care reform stalled for the moment, the fiscal year 2011federal budget proposed by President Obama this week is the prime focus of advocates' and policymakers' attention. If its freezes, cuts and increases were enacted as submitted (never happens), children and adults with mental disabilities would win some and lose a little. 

Under the $3.8 trillion plan, new funding would address growing unemployment, relieve economic pressures facing the middle class and reduce deficits. War funding would also increase.
A three-year freeze is proposed for non-security domestic discretionary spending. While the freeze would not impose across-the-board cuts to programs, many programs would be cut, eliminated, consolidated or level-funded. Others, however, would receive increases.
Some programs and services that assist children and adults with psychiatric disabilities face these budget challenges. However, in light of the nation's economic crisis and overall goal of deficit reduction, several important programs serving this population fare well under the plan, in a mixed bag of gains and losses.
In this issue:
  • President Obama Releases Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Blueprint
    • Mental Health Services
    • Medicaid
    • Education
    • Criminal and Juvenile Justice
    • Housing
  • Newsbytes
    • House Committee Approves Bill to Prevent Harmful Seclusion and Restraint of Students
    • Justice Department Sues Georgia for ADA Violation
    • Report Shows that Health Care Reform Would Help the Economy
    • CHIP Anniversary Kicks off New Program for Kids
    • Labor Department Hosts Sessions on Disability Employment
    • TANF Funds to be Available for Mental Health Services
Read the full Bazelon Center Mental Health Policy Reporter...
 
Increase for Mental Health Programs
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 10:45
Mental Health America Welcomes Increases for Mental Health Programs in President’s Budget

Will Work With Congress and Administration to Build Upon Request

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 3, 2010)—Mental Health America today commended the Obama Administration for proposing a Fiscal Year 2011 Budget that contains increases for most of the nation’s public health agencies, which highlights the need to invest in critical mental health supports and services beyond important steps that would be taken through health care reform.
The budget, which was released on Monday, prioritizes public health programs, including increases in funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), despite a difficult fiscal landscape.
Mental Health America looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to build upon the proposed budget, which includes a $110 million increase (3.1 percent) for SAMHSA, a $1 billion increase (3 percent) for the National Institutes of Health and a $5.2 billion increase (8 percent increase) for mental health care services at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Administration’s proposed funding increases would expand the crucial services and supports, research, and prevention interventions for people living with, or at risk of, mental illness that are provided or supported not only through SAMHSA, but at other agencies such as NIH, the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The budget also recognizes the importance of consumer and family participation in one’s recovery (for example, the budget proposes a modest increase for Center for Mental Health Services’ Consumer and Family Network Grants), as well as the need for integration of behavioral health with primary care (for example, the budget proposes allocating $25 million towards the integration of behavioral services into primary care health systems at HRSA).
“The message the Administration is sending with this budget is clear and important,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “Funding for health, including behavioral health, complements health care reform efforts and is vital for delivering prevention, early intervention, treatment services and research to communities throughout the nation.”
 
History of the Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Movement
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 10:32
Archived Teleconference Now Online
The History of the Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Movement
This teleconference provides a context to help consumers/survivors and others understand the origins of the movement, the challenges that members of the movement have encountered and overcome, and the societal advances gained through effective advocacy. This movement set the stage for efforts to support individuals in their personal recovery and to strengthen support for continued systemic change. Archived Teleconference now available on the SAMHSA ADS Center Web Site To listen to this teleconference and access the teleconference materials, please click here. Funded by: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.   
 
New food program
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 10:25
Spectrum Generations has formed a collaboration with local food banks and the State of Maine to offer a new program that will provide low income residents 60 years and older with 30 pounds of free food (pasta, tuna, peanut butter, etc.) each month.
To sign up contact Lynda Johnson at 626-7777 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 Feel free to pass this information on to family, friends, and neighbors.

Lori Umberhind
AA Mid Maine District
New England Conference of the United Methodist Church
PO Box 89
East Winthrop ME 04343
P:  207-395-4080
F:  207-395-4081
WEBSITE:  www.neumc.org/mme <http://www.neumc.org/mme>  for UPDATES and INFORMATION
 
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