NAMI SCC January 2002 Message

Utility Tax

The most important issue facing Mental Health services for the coming year is the possible repeal of the county-wide Utility Tax. The repeal of this tax would mean very severe cuts in County Mental Health services. The only County "discretionary" budget totals approximately $30,000,000. The 7% Utility Tax provides $10,000,000. of the $30,000,000. Repealing the Utility Tax would result in almost a million dollars of Mental Health cuts! Please help us to inform the public concerning the possible repeal of the Utility Tax and what it would mean for families and consumers. Vote NO on the Santa Cruz County Utility Tax Repeal Initiative.

NAMI SCC Activities Last Year

Here are some of the projects that we have been working on this past year. Supporting CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) for the Santa Cruz City Police; Creating an award winning website: www.NAMISCC.org; Donating informative books and videos on mental illness to the Main Library; Airing an award winning video "I’m still here" on our local TV station Channel 25.

If any of you have suggestions for our speaker meeting series please contact us at 427-8020.

New Coordinator for Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC)

The Center now has a new coordinator, Sharon Cohenberry. Sharon has recently retired from UCSC and is looking forward to using her 20 years of experience as a program director and trainer at MHRC. Please call MHRC at 458-1923, extension 232 for more information.

The MHRC is located in the same building that is home to Community Connections at the end of Encinal Street adjacent to Harvey West Park. The center provides education "Journey of Hope" classes for consumers and families; it also has a library with excellent videos, books, and much more.

If the Utility tax is repealed,

Sharon’s position will be cut in half.

Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations. We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints.

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