March 2012 - Mental Health Advocacy Services!
March 2012 - Mental Health Advocacy Services!
March 2012 - Mental Health Advocacy Services!
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update<br />
<strong>March</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
A nonprofit organization protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with mental disabilities.<br />
A Crisis in Our Schools<br />
In 2010, former Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed<br />
funding for mental health services for children in special<br />
education. Subsequent legislation repealed the law (AB<br />
3632) under which these services had been provided by<br />
county mental health departments for 25 years. As a result,<br />
Educationally Related <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> (ERMHS)<br />
are now the responsibility of school districts. ERMHS<br />
continue to be required by federal law to allow children<br />
with mental disabilities to succeed in school, but there is<br />
widespread concern because school districts are failing to<br />
provide appropriate services to eligible children.<br />
“Our biggest fear<br />
is that children<br />
previously found<br />
eligible for ERMHS<br />
will essentially<br />
be punished for<br />
their mental health<br />
d i s a b i l i t i e s , ”<br />
s a i d M H A S<br />
S t a ff A t t o r n e y<br />
Abraham Apraku.<br />
“Termination of<br />
services could lead to many suspensions and expulsions<br />
for behaviors that result from untreated disabilities.”<br />
For children who have never received ERMHS, one<br />
concern is that they will not even be properly assessed<br />
for eligibility.<br />
continued on page 2<br />
Benefits <strong>Advocacy</strong><br />
Helping our clients move forward<br />
For individuals who are unable to work due to serious<br />
mental disabilities, Social Security benefits provide<br />
the support needed to prevent homelessness, hunger and<br />
untreated illness. Applying for disability benefits is a<br />
lengthy, complex process, and approved applicants must<br />
comply with ongoing eligibility rules. MHAS’ benefits<br />
advocacy team has assisted thousands of eligible clients<br />
apply for and maintain<br />
S u p p l e m e n t a l<br />
Security Income (SSI)<br />
and Social Security<br />
Disability Insurance<br />
(SSDI). In 2011, the<br />
total value of annual<br />
benefits received by<br />
MHAS’ clients was<br />
estimated to exceed<br />
$50 million.<br />
“John” was one of<br />
over 900 clients<br />
MHAS helped with<br />
benefits issues in 2011. John is 37 and has been diagnosed<br />
with major depressive disorder with psychotic features.<br />
His MHAS attorney describes John as “one of the most<br />
depressed people I have ever met.” He speaks very slowly,<br />
with a quiet voice, and he cries during most conversations.<br />
continued on page 2<br />
Annual Celebration 2011<br />
Senator Darrell Steinberg and Tom Sodergren were the recipients of MHAS’ Advocates<br />
Awards at our Annual Celebration in October, 2011. Steinberg, President Pro Tem of the<br />
California Senate, authored Proposition 63, now known as the <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
Act, to expand funding for community-based mental health care. Sodergren, Director of<br />
Community <strong>Services</strong> at Casa Pacifica, was a pioneer in the use of Therapeutic Behavioral<br />
<strong>Services</strong> (TBS) in California. Sodergren was a key expert on the settlement team in the<br />
Emily Q. lawsuit brought by MHAS and co-counsel to ensure provision of TBS to poor<br />
children throughout California. MHAS thanks our honorees and the many event sponsors<br />
and attendees who made the 2011 Annual Celebration a great success.<br />
1
A Crisis in Our Schools (continued from page 1)<br />
“I have already seen a number of cases in which school districts<br />
refused to implement recommendations from the Department of<br />
<strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong>,” Apraku said. “Through vigorous advocacy we<br />
have been able to get children assessed and placed in programs<br />
meeting their mental health needs and overall educational needs.<br />
In the coming months, however, the situation will change when<br />
the transition from DMH to the schools is complete. We will<br />
need greater outreach and additional resources to litigate the more<br />
difficult cases.”<br />
MHAS is preparing for these challenges. We continue to represent<br />
individual children who have been denied ERMHS, and we are<br />
reaching out to parents, educators and mental health providers to<br />
make them aware of children’s rights and to dispel common myths<br />
about the availability of services.<br />
For more information on ERMHS, visit www.mhas-la.org.<br />
MHAS Bo a r d o f Di r e c t o r s<br />
Jane A. Anderson<br />
Taylor S. Ball, Esq., Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP<br />
David E. Bower, Esq., Faruqi & Faruqi LLP<br />
Houman Ehsan, M.D., Esq., O’Melveny & Myers LLP<br />
Lucy Eisenberg, Esq.<br />
Virginia Flores, Topa Equities, Ltd.<br />
Douglas L. Hall, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc.<br />
Shirley L. Kirby, Esq.<br />
Jeromie Park, Goldman, Sachs & Co.<br />
Sarah F. Powers, Esq., Gibson Dunn<br />
Neil A. Rubin, Esq., Latham & Watkins LLP<br />
Francis Ryu, Esq., Ryu Law Firm<br />
Prof. Elyn Saks, USC Gould School of Law<br />
Stephen E. Scherer, Esq., Scherer Bradford & Lyster<br />
Kristin N. Tahler, Esq., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher<br />
& Flom LLP<br />
Whitney Walters, Esq., Sheppard Mullin Richter &<br />
Hampton LLP<br />
Gregory J. Weingart, Esq., Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP<br />
Benefits <strong>Advocacy</strong> (continued from page 1)<br />
John experiences constant auditory hallucinations, mostly of his<br />
deceased sister telling him he should kill himself.<br />
In 2008, John successfully applied for SSDI benefits. Within a year<br />
he felt ready to return to the workforce, but his employment was<br />
brief. His ongoing mental health symptoms made it impossible<br />
for him to perform his job. Meanwhile, his wages had triggered<br />
a review by the Social Security Administration. His SSDI and<br />
accompanying medical coverage were terminated, and he was told<br />
to pay back all $15,000 he had received. Now facing homelessness,<br />
John applied for SSDI again but was denied. Fortunately, he was<br />
referred to MHAS for help.<br />
After two hearings, John’s MHAS attorney convinced the<br />
judge that John’s benefits should never have been terminated<br />
since the limited work he performed did not meet the threshold<br />
for “substantial gainful activity.” Thanks to MHAS, the judge<br />
canceled the $15,000 overpayment, and John will receive ongoing<br />
monthly income and medical coverage that will allow him to live<br />
independently while receiving the treatment he needs.<br />
<strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Advocacy</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Inc., is a private nonprofit<br />
501(c)(3) corporation. The mission of MHAS is<br />
to protect and advance the legal rights of children and<br />
adults with mental disabilities, in order to maximize<br />
autonomy, promote equality, and secure the resources needed to<br />
thrive in the community.<br />
3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 902<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90010<br />
213-389-2077<br />
www.mhas-la.org<br />
MHASLA<br />
MHAS_LA<br />
Ad v i s o r y Bo a r d<br />
Alexander M. Capron<br />
Areta Crowell<br />
Edmund D. Edelman<br />
Arthur N. Greenberg<br />
David H. Guthman<br />
Grover Heyler<br />
St a f f<br />
James Preis, Executive Director<br />
Jo Kaplan<br />
David Meyer<br />
Ralph Shapiro<br />
Richard Van Horn<br />
Eduardo Vega<br />
Pr o g r a m St a f f<br />
Pat Abs, Staff Advocate<br />
Abraham Apraku, Staff Attorney<br />
Johanna Bloomfield, Staff Attorney<br />
Maggie Brandow, Staff Attorney<br />
John Cisneroz, Staff Advocate<br />
Sherrill Martin, Program Manager, Government Benefits<br />
Pamela Marx, Supervising Attorney<br />
Luz A. O’Neil, Staff Advocate<br />
Fernando Ramirez, Staff Advocate<br />
Nancy M. Shea, Senior Attorney<br />
Carey Stone, Staff Attorney<br />
Madeline Walder, Staff Advocate<br />
Mary V. Webster, Staff Advocate<br />
Ad m i n i s t r a t i v e St a f f<br />
Renee Cook, Director of Administration and<br />
Development<br />
Jesse Norgaard, Administrative Assistant<br />
Nicole Roberts, Development Manager<br />
Board affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.<br />
2<br />
<strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Advocacy</strong> <strong>Services</strong>
Thank you to the donors who made our work possible in 2011:<br />
St a r s<br />
($5,000 or more)<br />
Jane and Ken Anderson<br />
Anonymous<br />
Lucy and David Eisenberg<br />
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP<br />
Jewish Communal Fund<br />
Latham & Watkins<br />
Los Angeles County<br />
Bar Foundation<br />
Los Angeles County Dept.<br />
of <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
Morrison & Foerster Foundation<br />
Munger, Tolles & Olson<br />
Foundation<br />
Steve and Debby Scherer<br />
Skadden Fellowship Foundation<br />
Skadden, Arps, Slate,<br />
Meagher & Flom LLP<br />
State Bar of California<br />
Equal Access Fund<br />
State Bar of California Legal<br />
<strong>Services</strong> Trust Fund<br />
Stuart Foundation<br />
Susan Troy and Larry Zipursky<br />
U.S. Dept. of Housing &<br />
Urban Development Fair<br />
Housing Initiatives Program<br />
Vanguard Charitable Endowment<br />
Gregory and Juanita Weingart<br />
Weingart Foundation<br />
Ch a m p i o n s<br />
($1,000 - 4,999)<br />
Peter D. Brandow<br />
California Community Foundation<br />
Casa Pacifica<br />
Areta Crowell<br />
Michael and Denise Doyen<br />
English, Munger & Rice<br />
Alexander W. Faust<br />
Terry Friedman and Elise Karl<br />
Douglas L. Hall<br />
Ralph Hirschmann<br />
The Audrey & Sydney Irmas<br />
Charitable Foundation<br />
Robert and Marilyn Johnson<br />
Shirley and Matthew Kirby<br />
Lefkowitz Family Foundation<br />
Hyman Levine Family<br />
Foundation: L’Dor V’dor<br />
The Ernest Lieblich Foundation<br />
Loyola Law School<br />
Marilyn and Marshall Martinez<br />
Cheryl W. Mason<br />
Jessica Mathews<br />
Alvin and Lisa Michaelson<br />
O’Melveny & Myers<br />
Jeromie and Krisa Park<br />
Sarah and Jason Powers<br />
Neil Rubin<br />
Ryu Law Firm<br />
Elyn Saks<br />
Ralph and Shirley Shapiro<br />
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust<br />
Richard and Kay Van Horn<br />
Valerie Vanaman<br />
Jill Troy Werner<br />
Owen and Jami Witte<br />
Be n e f a c t o r s<br />
($500 - 999)<br />
Barbara H. Ackermann<br />
David and Debra Anderson<br />
Taylor and Jennifer Ball<br />
David E. Bower<br />
Houman Ehsan<br />
Stephen English and<br />
Molly Munger<br />
Virginia Flores<br />
Debra Garvey Genung<br />
<strong>March</strong> <strong>2012</strong> Update<br />
Paul and Louise Greenberg<br />
Crystal E. Hale<br />
The Help Group<br />
Annual Celebration Guests<br />
greet LA County Supervisor Zev<br />
Yaroslavsky.<br />
Jewish Community Foundation<br />
Jason Johnson<br />
Mark Kadzielski<br />
Chris and Mary Ellen Kanoff<br />
Mickey Kantor and<br />
Heidi Schulman<br />
Deborah Krakow and<br />
Michael Firestein<br />
Jill and David Meyer<br />
Betty L. Nordwind<br />
Nora Quinn<br />
Gary D. Roberts<br />
Andrew E. Rubin<br />
Arthur and Diane Spring<br />
Kristin N. Tahler<br />
The Unger Family Foundation<br />
Evelyn Vodhanel<br />
Su p p o r t e r s<br />
($150 - 499)<br />
Aileen Adams and<br />
Geoffrey Cowan<br />
Robert and Sara Adler<br />
Susan Aley<br />
Anonymous (3)<br />
Harold Bastian<br />
Jenna Blaustein and<br />
Robert Leventer<br />
Clare Bronowski and Jeffrey Lee<br />
Connie Bruck and Mel Levine<br />
Scott Burleigh and Pat Griffith<br />
California State Employees<br />
Charitable Campaign<br />
Jody and Richard Chutick<br />
JoAnn Clark<br />
Mr. and Mrs. James P. Clark<br />
Jan Costello and Richard<br />
Rothschild<br />
Nancy Troy De Wit<br />
and Wim de Wit<br />
Robert and Carolyn Denham<br />
Tallie Dennis<br />
Disability Rights California<br />
Ken Doran<br />
Sean Eskovitz<br />
Marion and Irving Fein<br />
Susan and Alan Friedman<br />
David Fry and Whitney Morris<br />
Ruben Goldstein<br />
Byron Gross and Ricky Tovim<br />
David Guthman<br />
Board Member Lucy Eisenberg and<br />
friends at the Annual Celebration.<br />
Timi Hallem<br />
John S. Hatakeyama<br />
Patti and Kevin Hearst<br />
Grover and Caroline Heyler<br />
Thomas and Christine Hilger<br />
Lynard C. Hinojosa<br />
JustGive.org<br />
Milly and Robert Kayyem<br />
Christopher H. Knauf<br />
Deborah Koeffler<br />
Scott Kruse and Ruth Cohnen<br />
Ann and Bert Lane<br />
Joseph and Sandra Lee<br />
Alicia Macklin<br />
Susan Mandel<br />
Steven A. McGinty<br />
Byron & Asia McLain<br />
Stephen J. Morse<br />
Marianne and Michael Newman<br />
Robert Newman and<br />
Sarah Carpenter<br />
Robert and Andrea Ordin<br />
James L. Perzik<br />
Alan R. Polsky<br />
James Preis and Debra Vodhanel<br />
Cynthia Reich<br />
Karen Rothberg<br />
Herbert C. Rubinstein<br />
Linda A. Sallas<br />
Ellen Satkin<br />
Kim Savage<br />
Alyssa Schabloski<br />
Steven Sletten<br />
Carol and Charles Smith<br />
Marvin Southard<br />
Volunteers and Staff members help<br />
at the Annual Celebration.<br />
Ann Stone and Dave Pilon<br />
William Temko and<br />
Sarah Bowman<br />
Belinda Smith Walker<br />
Ronnie Weingart<br />
Wells Fargo Community<br />
Support Campaign<br />
Robert and Judith Wessling<br />
Alexandra Zucco<br />
Fr i e n d s<br />
(up to $149)<br />
David Agatstein<br />
Anonymous (3)<br />
Abraham Apraku<br />
Rhiannon and Rob Bailard<br />
Ellis M. Balsam<br />
Austin Barron<br />
David Barulich<br />
Paul Beck<br />
Paul D. Beechen<br />
Joan Beerman<br />
Adrienne Berman<br />
Lauren Bernadett<br />
Cindy Bernheimer<br />
Brenda Berrisford<br />
Gary Blasi<br />
Johanna Bloomfield<br />
Nancy Bott<br />
Anita D. Brandow<br />
Terri Cheney<br />
Su-Lyn Combs<br />
Renee L. Cook<br />
Allan and Mary Cutrow<br />
Judith and Eric Daar<br />
Bonnie L. Davis<br />
Mr. and Mrs. James H. De Meules<br />
George Diem<br />
Anita Dymant and<br />
Richard Drooyan<br />
Susan Edelman and Sandor Fuchs<br />
Fareed Elcott<br />
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund<br />
Bonnie Franklin<br />
Georgia Franklin Shutan<br />
Guests enjoy“Cinco de MHAS.”<br />
Jonathan L. Friedman<br />
Ted Gerdes<br />
Penelope Glass<br />
Arnold H. Gold<br />
Sharon Goldberg<br />
GoodSearch<br />
Michael and Judith Grunstein<br />
Saamir Guerra<br />
Sarah Gustafson<br />
Mary Ann Bannan Haines<br />
Karl Hammond<br />
Gordon Hendler<br />
Kaaren Hoffman<br />
Katherine Huang<br />
iGive.com<br />
Judith Johnson<br />
Steaven and Judith Jones<br />
Johan A. Julin and<br />
Scott P. Pacheco<br />
Daniel and Lisa Klerman<br />
Helen Kozberg<br />
Stephen Kristovich<br />
Kroger/Ralphs Grocery<br />
Luis and Lee Lainer<br />
John and Rachel Land<br />
Carol M. Liess<br />
Bob Lowe<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome W. Lubin<br />
Mary A. Lulucki<br />
Pam Marx<br />
LA County Supervisor Mark<br />
Ridley-Thomas congratulates our<br />
Advocates Award winners.<br />
Jane B. Matz<br />
Claudette May<br />
Lisa Mead<br />
Neal Millard<br />
MissionFish.org<br />
Carol Morava<br />
Berda Morley<br />
Caroline and Richard Nahas<br />
Ruth Olson<br />
Luz O’Neil<br />
Patricia B. Oppenheim<br />
Allan and Janie Orenstein<br />
R. Samuel Paz<br />
Shanen R. Prout<br />
Fernando Ramirez<br />
Marlene and Michael Rapkin<br />
Julie Reising<br />
Nicole R. Roberts<br />
Claire E. Rogger<br />
Deborah Rothman<br />
Hon. Philip M. Saeta<br />
Morvareed Salehpour<br />
Ray Sandona<br />
David I. Schulman<br />
Barry and Susan Shanley<br />
Joan and Alan H. Simon<br />
Lisa Skylar<br />
Maggie Small<br />
Richard St. John<br />
The Starbucks Foundation<br />
Hon. Maria E. Stratton<br />
Stephanie Tainsky<br />
Annette Tarsky<br />
Jana Tether<br />
Cheri Toomey Uno<br />
Patricia Van Dyke and Les Brown<br />
Linda Vogel<br />
Madeline Walder<br />
Ron Weintraub<br />
Bobbie Williams<br />
Jon and Gisele Wine<br />
Stanley and Dorothy Wolpert<br />
In-Ki n d Do n o r s<br />
(Donors of goods or services)<br />
Christian Castillo<br />
Megan Goldstein<br />
Douglas L. Hall<br />
L.A. Shares<br />
Pam Marx<br />
Alan Polsky<br />
Skadden, Arps, Slate,<br />
Meagher & Flom LLP<br />
Social Security Administration<br />
Woodenhead Vintners<br />
Tr i b u t e s<br />
Gifts were made in 2011 in honor<br />
of the following:<br />
Jane Anderson<br />
Maggie Brandow<br />
Estelle Diem<br />
Lucy Eisenberg<br />
Danielle Ezra<br />
Shirley Kirby<br />
Pasadena Juvenile Court,<br />
Dept. 271<br />
Jim Preis<br />
Elyn Saks<br />
Susan Troy<br />
Greg Weingart<br />
Gifts were made in 2011 in memory<br />
of the following:<br />
Robert and Marjorie Burns<br />
Katharine Krause<br />
Cy Pr e s<br />
Thank you to the attorneys who<br />
directed cy pres awards to <strong>Mental</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Advocacy</strong> <strong>Services</strong> in 2011.<br />
We make every effort to ensure<br />
accuracy in our acknowledgements.<br />
We apologize if any errors have<br />
been made. Please feel free to<br />
contact us at communications@<br />
mhas-la.org if you have any<br />
questions or corrections.<br />
3
Thank You, Volunteers!<br />
On the evening of February 28, MHAS recognized the contributions of the<br />
41 volunteers who worked over 4,000 hours in 2011. We also acknowledged<br />
the generosity and dedication of the 20 individuals who served on MHAS’<br />
Board of Directors in 2011. The lively Volunteer Appreciation Event, held at<br />
the Border Grill in downtown Los Angeles, was sponsored by MHAS Board<br />
President Douglas Hall and Vice President Francis Ryu.<br />
From summer law clerks to pro bono<br />
attorneys to administrative volunteers,<br />
MHAS’ volunteers are critical to our<br />
success. We would be able to reach only<br />
a fraction of the clients we serve without<br />
the hard work and energy of so many<br />
community-minded individuals dedicated<br />
to protecting the rights of people with<br />
mental disabilities.<br />
Numerous volunteer opportunities are available at MHAS. Through the<br />
SoCal Pro Bono Center, MHAS recruits attorneys to work on a variety of<br />
cases including special education cases and disability benefit appeals.<br />
For law students, in addition to MHAS’ summer clerk program, volunteer<br />
positions are available during the school year.<br />
For more on volunteer opportunities, visit: mhas-la.org/GetInvolved.htm.<br />
Support MHAS<br />
by Dining Out!<br />
Just visit GoodDining.com,<br />
designate MHAS as your<br />
charity, and register your<br />
credit card. Then dine at one<br />
of thousands of participating<br />
restaurants, and MHAS will<br />
automatically receive a<br />
donation for up to 6% of the<br />
total bill.<br />
A nonprofit organization protecting and advancing<br />
the legal rights of people with mental disabilities.<br />
3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 902<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90010<br />
Ad d r e s s Se r v i c e Re q u e s t e d
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