LEGAL ACTION CENTER

Need-to-Know News: Sept. 16, 2011

September 16, 2011

LAC's state policy director, Tracie Gardner, will be honored at the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition's WE SPEAK Awards on Oct. 5 in New York. Ms. Gardner, the founder of LAC's Women's Initiative to Stop HIV in New York (WISH-NY), has worked with the group's members for years, providing advocacy training as they fight HIV in their communities. Follow this link for more information about the event.
REMINDER: The National H.I.R.E. Network will be holding its 6th Annual NYS Reentry Policy Conference on Sept. 26 in New York City. Follow this link to register for the conference, titled, "Meeting Employer and Job Seeker Needs: Criminal Record Policies that Work," which is free and open to the public.

State

As officials explore a proposal to combine the state's addiction and mental health agencies, some advocates are expressing concern about how the merger will affect addiction services in New York.
With legislation to establish a health insurance exchange in New York -- as required by the federal Affordable Care Act -- still unpassed at the end of the most recent session, Senators Greg Ball and Liz Krueger debated the issue on public radio.

National

In a growing trend in recent years in the substance abuse field, 40 percent of treatment facilities now offer gender-specific treatment.
Illinois has been awarded a federal grant of nearly $700,000 to provide substance-abuse treatment for inmates, including those in its juvenile justice facilities.
Meanwhile, the Illinois governor has announced plans to close seven state-run correctional facilities amid budget negotiations with state lawmakers.
California has begun an expansion of its Medicaid program that is expected to cover an additional half a million people, including those recently released from incarceration, who have struggled to get care.
A Newsweek article examines Senator Jim Webb's fight to reform the nation's criminal justice system, including the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, which he reintroduced this year.
In a new effort to combat HIV among youths, the Centers for Disease Control is turning to comic books and digital devices like iPads.

On Oct. 3, Education from the Inside Out will present "Pell Grants for Public Safety: An Educational Session," in Washington, DC. The event will offer an in-depth analysis of the advantages of higher education for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals from an economic and social perspective. Please RSVP by writing to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling (646) 380-7780.
The Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State (ASAP) is holding its annual conference Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Brooklyn. The theme this year is "Behavioral Healthcare in Transition: Positioning Ourselves for Success." Early bird rates end Oct. 1, so register soon to save money.