Vail Place featured in MinnPost Mental Health Day on the Hill Coverage

Vail Place featured in MinnPost Mental Health Day on the Hill Coverage

(March 10, 2014) Although this legislative session was not a budget year, there were still a few hot topics being addressed with State Representatives on March 6 at Mental Health Day on the Hill.  A large group from both Clubhouses went to the Capitol for Mental Health Day on the Hill.  We were armed with real-life experiences, information on Vail Place including DVD’s from the Dr. Vail Hour and relevant news articles, appointments with legislators (something not everyone thinks ahead to do!) and talking points focusing on utilizing the surplus to repay past cuts to the Adult Mental Health Grants (that fund CSP and Case Management services) and the Supportive Housing services bills (HR2013/SF1977).  As a group we attended the information session and used that information to help inform our approach with legislators – specifically related to Supportive Housing services. We discussed and planned our approach with each legislator depending on what Committee he represented, who was interested in sharing a story and what would be most relevant. It was a group effort and in the words of Representative Steve Simon who will use information from our session when meeting with the Governor next week, “I can share with him that I heard directly from you how (a particular bill) would impact people in our community.”

Vail Place’s presence at the Capitol was even noticed by MinnPost, who featured our group wearing bright green and interviewed two Vail Place members, Christine and Don. See the full article here:http://www.minnpost.com/mental-health-addiction/2014/03/mental-health-day-hill-looking-home-not-just-bed#.Ux5Gy1WOe_A.email.  Thank you to both members for sharing their stories!