The regional budget hearings are a great opportunity to let your voice be heard about the need for children’s mental health services. The Campaign for Children’s Mental Health’s focus for the 2013 General Assembly session is increasing the state’s investment in children’s crisis response services and child psychiatry. We were very pleased that Gov. McDonnell included an additional $1 million in his budget for these services above the amount allocated by the General Assembly last year. We will advocate that the legislators add more funding to this amount so that projects in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads can fully fund their planned projects. These are the two regions that were not funded last year.

If you plan to testify at the budget hearings, we have prepared talking points to help you prepare your testimony. Remember, you will have 3 minutes or less! So please write your testimony and practice with a timer to make sure you are within the required time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Margaret Nimmo Crowe at margaret@vakids.org.

Again, here are resources to help you prepare your testimony:

Specific  talking points for testifying about children’s mental health

General Advocacy Tips for Budget Hearings

Hearing Details:

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

---