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MWPHA Letter to DC Council about the proposed closings of the DC CSA |
The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA) has been concerned about
the availability of mental health services in the District of Columbia and recently sponsored a
conference on HIV, Substance Use and Mental Health. The need for integrated and expanded
services is well recognized by providers and public health workers. We are concerned about the
plans of the Department of Mental Health to privatize the services currently provided by the DC
CSA which currently provides outpatient mental health services for DC residents. Based on our
conversations with many health providers in the city we support the emergency legislation to be
proposed on December 16 to halt the privatization for 90 days to further evaluate this plan.
Download the entire letter here
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The Save Lives: Free the Condoms Coalition is a grassroots community partnership working to reduce health disparities in the District of Columbia. The Coalition's goal is to increase condom accessibility in the Washington, DC area by removing potential barriers to condom access. The Coalition is working under the auspices of the Public Health Student Association at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Their website is: www.savelivesfreethecondoms.org. Also, visit their blog at: http://savelivesfreethecondoms.blogspot.com
The Treat it to Defeat it: Support Drug Treatment on Demand campaign was started by a group of advocates from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services who are fighting for drug treatment on demand in Washington, DC. The substance abuse treatment offered in the District of Columbia does not meet the community's needs as it only serves 1 of every 6 people in need. Treat it to Defeat it is demanding a policy that provides comprehensive treatment for addiction and its contributing factors. See their website www.treatit2defeatit.com
MWPHA members and friends from the GWU School of Public Health are advocating for the DC Menu Education and Labeling Act (MEAL ACT). It is a bill that would require restaurants with 10 or more locations nationwide to post nutrition information on their menus or menu boards. Visit the website www.dcvoicesformealchoices.org for more information. |
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Get involved in Advocacy Efforts to Improve the Health of Our Communities
This can entail testifying at City Council meetings, organizing public support for key public health issues, and partnering with others in order to leverage strength and maximize impact on public policies and/or services.
Resources
House of Representatives (find your Representatives)
www.house.gov
US Senate (find your Senators)
www.senate.gov
Library of Congress “Thomas” (an excellent tool for fast, easy searching of Legislative Activity)
thomas.loc.gov
APHA’s Legislative Action Center
www.capwiz.com/apha/home/
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Advocacy 
