Late Night with a Hero Debbie Plotnick and host Yvonne Smith

Debbie F. Plotnick, MSS, MLSP is the Vice President for Mental Health and Systems Advocacy at Mental Health America (MHA). Previously, she was the Director of Advocacy and Policy for the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP), where she developed policy, organized grassroots advocacy activities, and designed recovery-oriented, community services. Debbie will explain about what happens in Congress and how bills become law

Advocacy 101--how to speak (and to whom) to effectively have your message/voice heard.

.--Basic steps to familiarize people about how bills move through the legislative process. 

-- Legislative action on MH system reform is also expected in the Senate 

--Potentially there are other House bills that may be forthcoming, and that people should encourage their own representatives to introduce bills that reflect their priorities

--The importance of speaking to what is actually in an existing bill, and how to make constructive suggestions about what you'd like to see removed, changed or adde

 .In her role at Mental Health America, Debbie provides leadership for mental health and systems advocacy initiatives within its affiliate network, with outside coalitions, industry/business, and policy makers. She also coordinates the efforts of the Regional Policy Council (RPC), a six person council of MHA affiliate policy experts. She provides technical assistance to policy makers, government officials and is frequently called up to speak to the press and the general public about what is needed to create a community-based continuum of mental health care, and to challenge entrenched mindsets and misinformation. Debbie during Broadcast will explain MHA' current positon on the  Murph Bill and Dignity March.