Advocates from Across Pennsylvania Will Rally in Harrisburg on June 13 to Demand Increased Human Services Funding

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hurt by five years of budget cuts and fearing further losses, advocates representing a broad array of Pennsylvania human rights and human service organizations will gather in the main rotunda at the Pennsylvania Capitol (501 N. 3^rd Street) in Harrisburg on Monday, June 13, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. to demand a raise in revenues to fund existing health and human services programs. The rally will be preceded and followed by meetings with legislators and their staff.

Human Services Advocacy Day is sponsored by a coalition of consumer and family organizations, service agencies, and community groups. These groups include the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP), the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, The Alliance of Community Service Providers, Community Support Program (CSP) in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Community Support Program (CSP), NAMI Montgomery County, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, and Community Advocates of Montgomery County.

The 2015-2016 budget, which was delayed for nine months, failed to restore a 10% human services cut in effect since 2012; it forced nonprofits statewide to shut down programs, lay off staff, delay hiring, and take out lines of credit to make sure their doors stayed open.

"Our legislators have consistently underfunded human services," said MHASP president and CEO Michael Brody. "Year after year they kick the can down the road, widening the budget deficit. Without adequate revenue this fiscal year, Pennsylvania's older adults, children, and people with disabilities will pay the price."

For more information on how to participate in Human Services Advocacy Day, visit the event webpage.

MHASP has been a leader regionally, statewide and nationally in transforming mental health services to become more responsive to the priorities of individuals with mental health challenges and their family members.

Contact: Alyssa Schatz, Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, [email protected], 267.507.3816, 267.235.4787 (cell)

SOURCE Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Related Links

http://www.mhasp.org/