Come Advocate for Laura’s Law at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Meeting
The Health and Hospital Committee moved to place Laura’s Law on Board of Supervisors Agenda with a favorable recommendation The BOS will vote to Opt-In or Opt-Out of Laura’s Law on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Now is the time to let them know that you Support the implementation of Laura’s Law!
California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) analysis of the AOT program participants served during 2018-2019, suggests improved outcomes. Data from 228 court-involved individuals from 13 counties showed
30% decrease in HOMELESSNESS 33% decrease in HOSPITALIZATIONS
43% less contact with LAW ENFORCEMENT 85% less VICTIMIZATION
64% decrease in VIOLENT BEHAVIOR 34% decrease in SUBSTANCE USE
75% of the individuals referred to an assessment, opted to engage VOLUNTARILY!
DATA INDICATES AOT AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN CLIENTS AVOID HOSPITALIZATION, HOMELESSNESS, AND INCARCERATION
There are 3 ways that you can make an impact on the vote, and advocate that the Board implements Laura’s Law.
Email the Board of Supervisors. It is best to email each District separately (it can be the same note).
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
- Write a letter to be included in the May 25th Meeting public record
- For a letter to be included in the public record of a Board of Supervisors meeting, email BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org 24 hours before the meeting is scheduled to begin.
- Include in the subject line the date of the meeting and the item of interest.
- “May 25th 2021 Board of Supervisors Meeting, Assisted Outpatient Treatment”
Recommended content for written and spoken advocacy
- An introduction of who you are and why you care about mental health advocacy.
- An explanation of why you believe that Laura’s Law / Assisted Outpatient Treatment would be beneficial.
- A request that the Board of Supervisors prioritize proper implementation of AOT.
- Ask the Board of Supervisors to establish a citizen commission specifically responsible for overseeing AOT implementation.
Speak at the May 25th Meeting
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- The meeting will begin at 9:30am and will continue throughout the day, it is unclear yet at what time the Laura’s Law item will be discussed.
- Click HERE as May 25th approaches for the Zoom information and a detailed agenda.
- Once public comment begins for the Laura’s Law item, use the “Raise Hand” feature (pictured below) on Zoom to speak. You will have either 1 minute or 2 minutes to speak, depending on the quantity of people hoping to speak.
ACT NOW! Use this sample letter to advocate
SAMPLE LETTER / EMAIL
(PLEASE DO NOT JUST SIGN THIS LETTER. WRITE AN ORIGINAL)
Date:
To: district1@bos.sccgov.org, cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org, supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org, supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org, supervisor.simitian@bos.sccgov.org
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Address
Dear Supervisor (Name):
Please pass the resolution to implement AB 1976 (AOT)
I support Laura’s Law because (give a brief reason you support implementation of Laura’s Law in your county. Preferably use a story from your own life or that of a person you love. For example, “My brother has schizophrenia and is too ill to realize his own need for continuing treatment. Today he is homeless, except for brief stints in short term hospitalization and jail. If Santa Clara County decides not to opt out of AB1976 (Laura’s Law) and implement AOT, he will have the opportunity of receiving continuous treatment in the community and avoid the tragic effects of untreated mental illness.”) Laura’s Law will reduce expensive hospitalizations and jailings in our county. Moreover, it will save lives.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Street address
Town/city, Ca zip code
