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NEW AOT LAWS: MICHIGAN, FLORIDA
Forty-two (42) states now allow the use of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) and new data from New York reiterates the value and import of these laws. The new laws:
MICHIGAN
Kevins Law allows judges to order outpatient treatment for people with untreated severe mental illnesses who meet specific criteria, including a recent history of hospitalizations, incarcerations, or behavior dangerous to themselves or others because of their illness. The law was championed by Sens. Tom George (R, 20th District) and Virg Bernero (D, 23rd District).
FLORIDA
Florida's new law allows court-ordered outpatient treatment for people with severe mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who have a history of noncompliance combined with either repeated Baker Act admissions or serious violence. The law was championed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and sponsored by Rep. David Simmons.
NIMH CONTINUES TO MISALLOCATE FUNDING TO RESEARCH UNRELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESSES. The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) continues to misallocate public research dollars that should be used to offer hope of better treatments and possibly a cure for severe mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is unfortunate that it requires a legislative effort to keep NIMH to its actual mission, but TAC commends and supports the watchdog efforts of Congressman Randy Neugebauer to do just that.
CATALYST: SPECIAL ISSUE FOR FAMILIES. The Summer 2005 edition of Catalyst includes a feature article on helping families prepare for crisis and fight for treatment; information on a new study showing that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) reduces caregiver strain; and voices from families in New York, a state with an AOT law, and New Jersey, a state that is fighting for one. There's also a detailed article on navigating the HIPAA privacy law. We hope this issue is useful to all those struggling to get real help for someone they love. [Want to get our newsletter in the mail? Sign up - it's free. Or print an extra copy for a friend. We also appreciate your TAC ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WINS NATIONAL ADVOCACY AWARD. The Treatment Advocacy Center’s assistant director Jonathan Stanley has been honored with the 2005 Anchor Achievement Award for Leadership and Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy. Stanley's advocacy has been instrumental in improving treatment laws in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
TAC AWARD PRESENTED. The board of directors of the Treatment Advocacy Center honored Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger, Linda Gregory of Jacksonville, and Alice Petree of Sanford with this years national Torrey Advocacy Commendation for their successful advocacy for a new treatment law in Florida. The TAC award recognizes the courage and tenacity of those who selflessly advocate - despite criticism and opposition - for the right to treatment for those who are so severely disabled by severe mental illnesses that they do not recognize that they need treatment. Read more ...
NEW JERSEY The New Jersey Governors Task Force on Mental Health recommended adopting assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). "The Task Force concluded that any comprehensive reform of a mental health system requires that the needs of the people with the most severe and persistent mental illnesses be addressed," said Task Force Chair Bob Davison, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Essex County, Inc. "Our careful deliberations and extensive research led us to conclude that for those who are too ill to access mental health services, IOC strikes the appropriate balance of individual's well being and their constitutional liberties."
The Task Force recommendations support Acting Gov. Richard Codeys efforts to finally bring assisted outpatient treatment, called IOC by the Task Force, to New Jersey. Gov. Codey and Sen. Gerald Cardinale are cosponsors of SB1640, which would establish a progressive program for assisted outpatient treatment in the state. There are 35 other Senate cosponsors.
Passing SB1640 will improve the chances of success for all the many other recommendations in the Task Force's report.
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