What is advocacy?
To be an advocate is to be more than a cheerleader for a particular cause. For Mental Health America of Virginia, it means educating the community and policy makers about the complexities of mental health, offering supporting programs and resources to those who need it most, and changing the perceptions that surround individuals affected by mental illness.
State Hospital Crisis
- Cruser: The crisis in Virginia mental health
- The State Hospital Census and DBHDS Key 2021 Initiatives Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century April 20, 2021
- The State Hospital Census Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee June 15, 2021
- State Hospital Temporary Admission Closure 7.9.2021
- Remarks from Bruce Cruser, Executive Director: News Conference with Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Re: Mental Health Funding July 27, 2021
- Update on State Hospital Bed Census, Crisis System Transformation, and Substance Use Disorder Services in Virginia - Behavioral Health Commission September 22, 2021
- Joint Commission on Health Care presentations on the mental health workforce from the Sept. 21, 2021 meeting:
2021 Legislative Session
- 2021 Bill Tracking Log
- MHAV's Legislative and Policy Priorities 2021
- Priority for State Funding Consideration by the 2021 House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees (partial list)
- 2021 House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee Member Listing
- Comparing the Conference Report with Governor, Senate & House Proposals 2021
- MHAV 2021 GA Session Wrap-Up
- The State Hospital Census and DBHDS Key 2021 Initiatives April 20, 2021
- DMAS Behavioral Health Update 2021 April 20, 2021
- Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Recommendations on Mental Health Crises April 20, 2021
- Summary: State Plan for the Implementation of the Marcus-David Peters Act
- State Plan for the Implementation of the Marcus-David Peters Act
2020 Legislative Session
- Bill Tracking Spreadsheet
- Virginia 2020 Legislative Session – Summary Highlights
- SFC Budget Update from Special Session 2020 Mental Health Services Budget Update - November 16, 2020
- DBHDS Update for SJ47 Committee Nov 2020 Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century - November 16, 2020
Below are several updates from work groups, programs or planning from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. For more information, contact the person whose information is included in the power point, or MHAV at bruce.cruser@mhav.org.
- Alternative Transportation Program - DBHDS System Leadership Council Presentation June 2019
- Behavioral Health Redesign Update - SJ47 Presentation May 2019
- Crisis Intervention Team Programs & Assessment Sites - June 2019
- History & Status of Minimum Mental Health Standards for Virginia's Local & Regional Jails
- Report from the work group on causes of the high census at the Commonwealth's state hospitals for individuals with mental illness Nov. 22, 2019
- Summary and Report on the Effectiveness of Permanent Supportive Housing November 30, 2019
- System Review & Guiding Principles for Next Steps - SB1488 Workgroup June 2019
The 2019 legislative session directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct two studies of Virginia's community public mental health services. One study is on how the Community Services Boards (CSBs) are funded, and the other is on the implementation status of STEP - VA, the long-term initiative designed to improve the community behavioral health services available to all Virginians. The completed studies are available here: CSB Funding and Implementation of STEP-VA.
Advocacy in Action
Executive Directors from four Virginia MHA affiliates met recently with U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s staff to provide information on mental health needs in Virginia and MHA affiliate services.
MHAV 2021 Policy and Legislative Priorities
