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Need-to-Know News: Feb. 3, 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 12 16:54:29 +0000

Updates from Us

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner testified before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection this week to present the recommendations of the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition. Read the full recommendations here, or see video of the hearing.
The New York Observer is featuring a profile of LAC Board Member Doug Liman in anticipation of his new show on MTV.

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LAC Testifying in Albany on Criminal Justice Budget Today

Mon, 30 Jan 12 15:46:54 +0000

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner is in Albany today, testifying before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection. As a leader in the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition, LAC is presenting the coalition's recommendations on the criminal justice portion of Governor Cuomo's budget proposal.

See live video of the hearing here.

Correction: Budget Analysis

Sun, 29 Jan 12 03:08:35 +0000

Because of an error on our part, an earlier version of our article titled "Our Analysis of Governor Cuomo’s 2012-2013 Budget" used incorrect figures for the governor's appropriations for the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The governor's budget proposed an addition -- not a cut -- of $1.5 million in aid to localities. His total cuts to OASAS added up to $562,400, not $3,562,400.

Please see the updated version of our budget analysis for a chart with the correct OASAS figures.

LAC apologizes for the error and any inconvenience it has caused.

Need-to-Know News: Jan. 27, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 12 21:46:37 +0000

Updates from Us

Finalized its recommendations to fully include mental health and substance use disorder services within the Essential Health Benefits framework of the Affordable Care Act. If your organization would like to sign on to the recommendations, please contact Sherie Boyd at sboyd@lac.org.
Drafted comments on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin released by the Department of Health and Human Services last month. To sign on to the comments, please contact Sherie Boyd at sboyd@lac.org before the Jan. 31 deadline; we also encourage you to use our comments as a template to submit your own.
Submitted a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — on behalf of more than 75 national, state and local groups in the SUD and MH communities — asking for the data HHS used to develop the Essential Health Benefit Bulletin, and for more time for organizations to provide comment.

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Need-to-Know News: Jan. 20, 2012

Fri, 20 Jan 12 18:55:34 +0000

Updates from Us

After an analysis of Governor Andrew Cuomo's new budget plan, we were pleased to issue a statement this week supporting the proposal as a sensible path for New York State in answering the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

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Analyzing Governor’s Budget, LAC Finds Much to Praise

Wed, 18 Jan 12 15:36:01 +0000

NEW YORK, January 18, 2012 -- The Legal Action Center is pleased to support Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget plan for 2012-2013, which provides a sensible path for New York State to meet the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

After an analysis of the budget proposal, released yesterday, LAC is pleased to report that the governor has closed an estimated $3.5 billion deficit without significant reductions or cuts in criminal justice, addiction or HIV services.

Need-to-Know News: Jan. 13, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 12 21:46:23 +0000

Updates from Us

Marsha Weissman, the Director of the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), was presented the 2012 Sara Tullar Fasoldt Leadership and Humanitarian Award by Robert Maccarone, the State Director of the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, on January 12 for her outstanding leadership and significant contributions to the field of community corrections. Several LAC staff members were present for the ceremony. We again want to congratulate Marsha for her much deserved recognition.
Paul Samuels, LAC's Director and President, and Gabrielle de la Gueronniere, LAC's Director of National Policy, were quoted in an online article in Addiction Professional, discussing the parity requirements for behavioral health under the Affordable Care Act's Essential Benefits Package and the need to monitor implementation of the requirements at the state level.
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) sent out an e-mail letting members and those on its e-mail list know about LAC's recent report, "Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Criminal Justice System." The e-mail also reminded readers that NADCP's board issued a board resolution last July stating that Drug Courts must not impose blanket prohibitions against the use of MAT by their participants and that decisions whether to allow the use of MAT must be based on an individualized assessment of the clinical and medical needs of each participant, the interests of the public and the administration of justice.
Several LAC employees discussed the long-term challenges confronting individuals with felony convictions on an episode of last week's 219 West, a TV show on CUNY-TV in which students at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism examine news stories from around New York City.

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Need-to-Know News: Jan. 6, 2012

Fri, 06 Jan 12 15:13:47 +0000

Updates from Us

The Legal Action Center issued a press release praising Governor Cuomo's 2012 State of the State Address and New York State's impressive list of achievements during the first year of his term.
The Legal Action Center would like to congratulate Marsha Weissman, the Director of the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), for being awarded the 2012 Sara Tullar Fasoldt Leadership and Humanitarian Award for her outstanding leadership and significant contributions to the field of community corrections. The Award will be presented next Thursday, January 12. The award symbolizes the life and work of Sara Tullar Fasoldt, former head of the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, who succeeded in immeasurably strengthening and improving the field of community corrections.
Paul Samuels, LAC's Director and President, is quoted in an article in this week's Alcohol & Drug Abuse Weekly regarding the Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS) bulletin regarding the Essential Health Benefits package included in the Affordable Care Act. Paul is quoted as saying that “[t]he HHS bulletin firmly establishes the requirements of parity, so that SUD and MH coverage is required for all types of services where other medical/surgical care is covered.”

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LAC Praises Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2012 State of the State Address

Wed, 04 Jan 12 21:23:45 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracie Gardner
Director of NYS Policy
(212) 243-1313 / tgardner@lac.org

NEW YORK, January 4, 2012 – The Legal Action Center (LAC) applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for his leadership in championing smart, compassionate and cost effective approaches to the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

Need-to-Know News: Dec. 30, 2011

Fri, 30 Dec 11 19:43:49 +0000

Updates from Us

A Message from LAC President and Director:

The establishment and protection of rights for people with histories of addiction, criminal justice involvement, and HIV/AIDS through cutting-edge policy advocacy, precedent-setting litigation, direct legal services and public education has been a hallmark of LAC for almost 40 years. Now more than ever, we need to stand strong and speak out against discrimination and inequality. Stand with us by making your year-end gift today.

Your support is critical to the work we do and the people we serve, which is why I'm asking you to support our year-end campaign. It is a time when your donation can have an even greater impact; I urge you to give generously.
Wishing you and yours happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Paul N. Samuels
President/Director
On December 19, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) held a public meeting to announce the release of a second round of FAQs to help substance abuse treatment providers understand how to apply the federal substance abuse confidentiality regulations (42 CFR Part 2) to electronic health records. At the meeting, Dr. H. Westley Clark, the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), publicly acknowledged LAC's assistance in drafting the new FAQs. SAMHSA also announced that they would post the proceedings of the public meeting on their website.

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Need-to-Know News: Dec. 23, 2011

Fri, 23 Dec 11 15:12:12 +0000

Updates from Us

A Message from LAC President and Director:

The establishment and protection of rights for people with histories of addiction, criminal justice involvement, and HIV/AIDS through cutting-edge policy advocacy, precedent-setting litigation, direct legal services and public education has been a hallmark of LAC for almost 40 years. Now more than ever, we need to stand strong and speak out against discrimination and inequality. Stand with us by making your year-end gift today.

Your support is critical to the work we do and the people we serve, which is why I'm asking you to support our year-end campaign. It is a time when your donation can have an even greater impact; I urge you to give generously.
Wishing you and yours happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Paul N. Samuels
President/Director

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Need-to-Know News: Dec. 16, 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 11 12:24:02 +0000

Updates from Us

Roberta Meyers-Peeples, the Director of LAC's National H.I.R.E. Network, discussed the challenges confronting individuals with criminal records in finding employment in an article discussing the possibility that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) might include a "ban the box" provision< limiting employers' ability to ask about criminal records as part of the job application process, in its upcoming opinion about the use of criminal records in hiring.
Elizabeth Farid, the Deputy Director of LAC's National H.I.R.E. Network, testified on Thursday at a New York City Council hearing on the New York City Probation's 2011 Strategic Plan. In her testimony, Ms. Farid emphasized Probation's willingness to support probationers in their efforts to obtain employment and to work with the ATI and Reentry community.

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Need-to-Know News: Dec. 9, 2011

Fri, 09 Dec 11 19:23:46 +0000

Updates from Us

The Legal Action Center has released a report, Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System, that explains why criminal justice agencies violate Federal anti-discrimination laws and the United States Constitution when they deny access to medications, such as methadone and burprenorphine, to treat opiate addiction. The report was written at the request of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD.), who, along with the Center, has a longstanding interest in expanding the use of these medications in criminal justice settings.

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Need-to-Know News: Dec. 2, 2011

Fri, 02 Dec 11 18:47:04 +0000

Updates from Us

This week, City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, Council Member Liz Crowley and a number of other Council Members presented a proclamation on behalf of the City Council to the Legal Action Center and our partners in the ATI/Reentry Coalition.
The National H.I.R.E. Network, in collaboration with the National Employment Law Project and The Sentencing Project, recently released a roundup of nationwide legislative achievements in the reentry field over the last two years. The report, called "State Reforms Promoting Employment of People With Criminal Records: 2010-11 Legislative Round-Up", provides a centralized list of recent legislation, as well as evidence of national legislative trends. This document, which will be updated annually, will be a useful resource to policy makers and advocates in creating and promoting new legislation in the upcoming session and beyond. Contact HIRE Deputy Director Liz Farid for more information.
On November 21, the New York City Department of Probation announced the opening of its first Resource Hub in the Manhattan Adult Operations office at 346 Broadway. The Hub, which features a number of resources, including personal computers, a TV showing content about local events and resources, and a specialized staff member, is intended to allow clients to make the most of the time they spend waiting to meet with their Probation Officer. We are especially excited to announce that the new Resource Hub features two videos created by the Legal Action Center, "Voting Rights of People in New York with Criminal Records" and "Your Rights, Your Future: Preparing for Reentry".

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Need-to-Know News: Nov. 18, 2011

Fri, 18 Nov 11 18:46:00 +0000

Updates from Us

On Monday, LAC's Director/President, Paul Samuels spoke at the New York meeting of the Department of Health and Human Services' Regional Listening Sessions about the Essential Health Benefits package to be required under the healthcare reform law. In his testimony, Mr. Samuels emphasized the need for the benefits package to mandate full parity in the coverage of mental health and substance use disorders.
LAC's Director of New York State Policy, Tracie Gardner, testified on Thursday before a joint Assembly Committee hearing about the merger of the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) and the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the impact of the merger on ATI and Reentry. In her comments, Ms. Gardner thanked the New York State Assembly for their years of support for these programs and described the "strong support and skillful administration" provided by OPCA and DCJS to ensure continued funding for ATI and Reentry programs during a period of tightened budgets. Lastly, Ms. Gardner called for the state to create a permanent funding stream for these programs.
Elizabeth Farid, the Deputy Director of the National H.I.R.E. Network, will co-present a webinar training for advocates, together with staff from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Sentencing Project and the National Employment Law Project, on "Reducing Employment Barriers for People with Criminal Records." Visit this site to register for the training.

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Need-to-Know News: Nov. 11, 2011

Fri, 11 Nov 11 18:37:03 +0000

Updates from Us

Anita Marton, Vice President at LAC, testified at a public hearing on November 12 in front of the Assembly Standing Committee on Corrections examining the results of the merger of the Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) and the Division of Parole into the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
LAC's Director of New York State Policy, Tracie Gardner, contributed an op-ed about New York City's new sex-ed mandate in the November 4th issue of the Brooklyn Daily.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be hosting the New York leg of its Regional Listening Sessions on Monday, November 14.

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Need-to-Know News: Nov. 4, 2011

Fri, 04 Nov 11 04:25:15 +0000

Updates from Us

The National H.I.R.E. Network is teaming up with the National Employment Law Project (NELP), and the Sentencing Project to offer the webinar "Model State Legislation to Reduce Employment Barriers for People with Criminal Records" on Nov. 22. Follow this link to register now.

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 28, 2011

Fri, 28 Oct 11 18:34:55 +0000

Updates from Us

A big thanks to all of you who made the 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit a record-breaking event, both in attendance and in the total raised to support LAC's critical work. Follow this link to read the full story on the benefit, or make your gift today!
Policy experts from our National HIRE Network will be featured at the Drug Policy Alliance's International Drug Policy Reform Conference. Use these links to read more about the sessions, including "Making Sense of Drug Testing" on Nov. 3, and "Stemming the Tide in the States: TANF Drug Testing Bills" on Nov. 4.

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 21, 2011

Fri, 21 Oct 11 19:01:46 +0000

Updates from Us

In a letter recently published in The New York Times, LAC Director and President Paul N. Samuels discusses the ways that requiring drug testing of state aid recipients hurts families and taxpayers.
Federal Action Alert: As we reported earlier this week, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is collecting public comment before shaping the final rules on the health insurance exchanges created by the new health care reform law. We need you to submit comments by Oct. 31 on the importance of addressing mental health and substance use disorders in the strongest way possible. Follow this link for our full action alert, which includes a sample model letter.
Reminder: Our 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit is coming up Tuesday, Oct. 25. Purchase tickets or make your gift today!

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Federal Action Alert: Ensure Health Insurance Exchange Regulations Include Strong SUD/MH Provisions

Wed, 19 Oct 11 21:48:03 +0000

Please submit comments to CMS by Oct. 31; follow this link for sample comments

Action Needed

The federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule for the health insurance exchanges created by the new health care reform law. It is very important that the exchanges address mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUD) in the strongest way possible. Although the proposed exchange regulation includes several important MH/SUD provisions, it fails to identify MH/SUD providers as essential community providers that serve predominantly low-income and medically underserved populations. In addition, there are other improvements to the proposed regulation that would better ensure that the health needs of people with MH/SUD are well met.

As CMS collects public comment and shapes final exchange rules, it is critical that the regulators hear from the field about the need to include the strongest possible SUD/MH provisions, including adding licensed or certified SUD and MH organizations as essential community providers.

LAC Director in the NYT: Drug Testing of Aid Recipients Is Not the Answer

Mon, 17 Oct 11 12:59:48 +0000

Many of you have seen the New York Times article published last week on the wave of states requiring drug testing of aid recipients. (Follow this link to see our advocacy work on this issue.)

In a letter published in The Times over the weekend, LAC's director, Paul N. Samuels, explains why these policies are both wrong-headed and short-sighted.

Need-to-Know News: Oct. 14, 2011

Fri, 14 Oct 11 17:36:41 +0000

Updates from Us

As we excitedly reported yesterday, Philanthropedia at GuideStar, the leading guide for donors to identify worthy charities, has named us one of the leading criminal justice advocates in the nation! Follow this link to read our full press release on this incredible recognition.
Reminder: Less than two weeks to go until our 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit, coming up on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets or make your gift today!
Monday's issue of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly features LAC Director Paul N. Samuels commenting on the Institute of Medicine's report to the Department of Health and Human Services on the Essential Health Benefits package. Mr. Samuels, who co-chairs the Coalition for Whole Health, stressed that the group would continue to push for strong coverage of substance use disorders and mental health.

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Guidestar Experts Choose LAC as Leading Criminal Justice Advocate

Thu, 13 Oct 11 20:19:26 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Collins Bronzan
Director of Communications
(212) 243-1313 / ncollins@lac.org

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2011 -- The Legal Action Center is proud to announce that Philanthropedia at GuideStar, the leading guide for donors to identify worthy charities, has named us one of the leading criminal justice advocates in the nation.

Decided by a panel of 127 experts working in criminal justice across the country -- with an average of 16 years of experience in the field -- this honor recognizes LAC as one of the top 5 nonprofits making an impact at the local level, out of the 144 reviewed.

Need-to-Know News: Oct. 7, 2011

Fri, 07 Oct 11 18:11:23 +0000

Updates from Us

Monday's issue of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly taps the expertise of LAC Director and President Paul N. Samuels in an article on the future of OASAS. Mr. Samuels stressed that despite the uncertainty in New York, Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez "is providing leadership to ensure the redesigned Medicaid system will effectively address substance use disorders as well as mental health."
LAC's Legal Director, Sally Friedman, presented highlights from our soon-to-be released report, "Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System," at a meeting convened by SAMHSA on Oct. 6 Stay tuned for more on the report.
Reminder: Purchase your tickets now for the Legal Action Center's 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit, coming up on Oct. 25.

Congrats to LAC State Policy Director Tracie
Gardner (center, with Claire Simon, left, and
Kymsha Henry), whose HIV/AIDS work was
honored at YWCHAC's WE SPEAK Awards.

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Need-to-Know News: Sept. 30, 2011

Fri, 30 Sep 11 18:40:33 +0000

Updates from Us

Thanks to all of you who made the National H.I.R.E. Network’s Sixth Annual NYS Reentry Policy Conference a huge success! Follow this link for our full story. (At right, P. David Lopez, general counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, delivered the keynote address.)
Save the date for the National Call-In Day to support the National Criminal Justice Act: Oct. 5, 2011. With your help, we can urge Congress to pass this legislation, which would create a bipartisan panel to review national policies and make recommendations for reform. Follow this link for our full alert.

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