Yesterday, I had an opportunity to present testimony on workforce and mental health issues to the Assembly Committee on Health, Mental Health, Higher Education, People with Disabilities and Labor.
MHANYS Testimony is attached below.
We were appreciative to receive so many questions from the Assembly members about our four tiered approach to workforce :
1) Respond to Immediate Crisis by providing a 3.2% COLA for Human Services and a $500 million investment in behavioral health
2) Focus on MHANY Series of Recommendations for the Mental Health Pipeline for Careers in Mental Health including the inclusion of a Qualified Mental Health Associate to have the ability for a paraprofessional to have a career ladder in mental health similar to a CASAC in Substance Use and a DSP in IDD.
3) Support College Mental Health Legislation that will improve mental health support and education for college students, instructors and other school personnel
4) Pass a Pension/Retirement Bill Study for the not profit human services sector.
POL_20231215_MHANYS_TestimonyNYS_Assembly_Health-Labor_12-19-23
