NAMI Day on the Hill

Successful Living’s Executive Director, Roger Goedken, journeyed to the State Capitol with NAMI of Johnson County 3/12/19 in order to lobby for better conditions for the State’s mentally ill population. Roger specifically sought to enlighten legislators of the decade-long-rate-increase-dearth for Habilitation services. Habilitation is the service the State uses for the programs supporting Iowa’s mentally ill. Roger also co-authored a letter to Governor Reynolds earlier this month advocating for an annual cost of living increase for Habilitation services and focusing on the uniquely disadvantaged minority mentally ill population in Iowa. A highlight in the letter is the fact that Food Service workers in Iowa earn, on average, more than Human Service Direct Support Professionals, the frontline staff who work with Iowa’s mentally ill.

One take-away from connecting with the legislators from NAMI on the Hill is that every person who either receives services or works in a human service field should not only vote but should also advocate for increased funding for mental health services. Funding for mental health suffers directly from a lack of advocacy. Call and email your local representatives and State legislators, they really do want to hear from you and they really do work for you!

For more information on the event, visit NAMI's website.