Forum to Inform, Enlighten Community, Lawmakers about Behavioral Health Priorities

Each year, the community behavioral health industry circles the month of November as a special time to advocate for its clients and promote its agenda. This year is no different, with King County hosting its annual Legislative Forum, on Nov. 8, 2017 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer Street in Seattle.

Sound Mental Health, along with dozens of other organizations, is a co-sponsor of the event. Registration is required to attend, so you are encouraged to register early. The event is free of charge but seating is limited, so register soon.

The event, now entering its 20th year, commences at 7 p.m., but there will be an interactive “Recovery in Action” event beginning at 4 p.m. for those who can arrive earlier. This event will feature information and resource tables from event co-sponsors.

The Legislative Forum is designed to bringing the behavioral health community together in a shared commitment to engage county and state politicians, advocate for county wide behavioral health priorities and humanize individuals living with mental health and addiction issues.

Recovery advocate and Executive Director of the Washington Recovery Alliance, Lauren Davis, will keynote the event. A recipient of the 2016 Hero Award from Ms. Davis is a lecturer at the University of Washington School of Social Work’s graduate program,  serves on the Mental Health Task Force for Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp, and serves on the Public Policy Committee for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Though Ms. Davis’ keynote is sure to inspire, the true highlight of the Forum will be the touching and poignant stories of recovery, shared by real clients whose lives were impacted by behavioral health services. Currently, SMH clients are being considered for the presentations.

Legislators already confirmed to attend this year’s event are Sen. Palumbo (1st District); Rep. Bergquist (11th), Sen. Hasegawa (11th), Rep. Kagi (32nd), Rep. Gregerson (33rd), Rep. Orwall (33rd), Rep. Cody (34th), Sen. Saldaña (37th), Rep. Robinson (38th), Rep. Senn (41st), Rep. Macri (43rd), Sen. Pedersen (43rd), Rep. Pollet (46th), Sen. Kuderer (48th).

Staff are strongly encouraged to attend this event, to demonstrate solidarity for our shared priorities in 2018. Visit King County’s site to learn more or to register.


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