Please mark your calendar for January 4, 2013. This is the time to let the state legislators who are responsible for developing the budget know what your priorities are! They need to hear from us about the continuing need for children’s mental health services.

The budget hearings are held in 5 locations around the state on that day, with a panel of legislators attending each one. It is a great opportunity to speak out about the ongoing need for crisis response and child psychiatry services.

Top 5 reasons to testify at a budget hearing:

5. You only have to speak for 3 minutes or less.

4. You will not be asked any questions, so no need to fear getting a question you can’t answer!

3. You will be given talking points ahead of time, and there will be a Voices for Virginia’s Children staff member at each hearing to provide support.

2. Your comments can help shape the state budget for the next year as it pertains to children’s mental health services.

1. Speaking out reduces the stigma of mental illness, educates our legislators, and helps make Virginia a better place to live for kids with mental health disorders and their families!

So where are the hearings?

Manassas – Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.: Hylton Performing Arts Center, George Mason University, Prince William Campus
Middletown – Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:00 noon: Lord Fairfax Community College, Corron Community Development Center
Virginia Beach – Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:00 noon: Tidewater Community College, Advanced Technology Center Theater
Roanoke – Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:00 noon: Virginia Western Community College, Business Science Building, Whitman Theater
Richmond Area – Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:00 noon: Virginia State University, Virginia Hall, Anderson-Turner Auditorium

Voices and the Campaign for Children’s Mental Health are currently recruiting volunteers who are willing to testify at one of these hearings. Again, we will provide talking points and tips for you ahead of time. We need folks to talk about the importance of community-based crisis services and child psychiatry in particular. We also need volunteers to stand in line for the speakers to register them—so if you want to help but don’t want to speak, this is a job for you!

Please contact Campaign Coordinator Margaret Nimmo Crowe for more information and to volunteer: margaret@vakids.org. Thank you!

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