We had over 1,500 people in attendance at the 2011 Nehemiah Action from IMPACT’s 31 member congregations and guests from the community.
We secured committments from Charlottesville City Councilors Satyendra Huja and Kristin Szakos, Albemarle County Supervisor Lindsay Dorrier, and Region Ten Executive Director Robert Johnson.
These officials committed to funding Healthy Transitions, a program to serve ex-offenders with mental illness upon their re-entry into the community; as well as developing plans to provide supportive housing for those with a diagnosed or diagnosable mental illness.
Because of their commitments, we are making a positive IMPACT on our community for those with mental illness!
IMPACT will continue to follow-up with these officials through the next budget cycle and beyond to make sure that they follow through with their commitments.
Questions IMPACT asked Robert Johnson (Executive Director of Region Ten):
1. “Will you utilize the funds allocated by the City and County in 2012 and subsequent years for the implementation of the Healthy Transitions Program?”
2. “Will you provide IMPACT, the City and the County with a written report on the Healthy Transitions Program by November 30th, 2011?”
3. Will you attend IMPACT’s Annual Assembly in the fall of 2011 to give an update on the development of the Healthy Transitions Program?”
|
Question 1
|
Question 2
|
Question 3
|
|
|
Robert Johnson
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Questions IMPACT asked the City and County officials:
1.“Will you support funding for the Healthy Transitions Program in the amount of ½ of the $85,000 program cost, up to a maximum of $50,000, on an annual basis starting in the 2012-2013 fiscal year?”
2.“Will you designate a staff member to develop a proposal to use a percentage of new affordable housing proffers specifically for supportive housing for people with mental illness and present it during the upcoming comprehensive planning process?”
3. “Will you direct your staff person to meet with IMPACT leaders periodically throughout the development of this proposal?”
4.“Will you attend the IMPACT Annual Assembly in the fall of 2011 to give an update on the development of Supportive Housing for People with Mental Illness Proposal and the funding for the Healthy Transitions Program?”
|
City Council Member
|
Attended Nehemiah Action?
|
Question1
|
Question 2
|
Question 3
|
Question 4
|
|
Kristin Szakos
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Satyendra Huja
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Dave Norris
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Holly Edwards
|
No
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Dave Brown
|
No
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
*n/a-official was not present, nor sent a response to IMPACT leadership
Result: The City officials have committed to fund their portion of the Healthy Transitions program between Region Ten and District Nine Probation and Parole. IMPACT did not receive enough commitments at the Nehemiah Action to have the city develop a proffer policy that would include housing for people with a mental illness.
|
County Supervisor
|
Attended Nehemiah Action?
|
Question 1
|
Question 2
|
Question 3
|
Question 4
|
|
Lindsey Dorrier
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Ann Mallek
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
n/a
|
|
Duane Snow
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
|
Dennis Rooker
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Ken Boyd
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Rodney Thomas
|
No
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Results: In the County there is enough support for the Healthy Transitions program if the proposal goes through the funding review process and is supported by the Commission on Children and Families. The proposal for proffers to be used for supportive housing for people with mental illness does not currently have enough support to pass in the county.