(1) Enforcement of Mental Health Parity:

The ACCESS Coalition is working toward the goal of incorporating private benefits advocacy into work of various community outreach teams.

(2) Raising Mental Health Literacy: Utilizing the federally-funded Elimination of Barriers Campaign (EBI):

The EBI campaign has used the services of Vanguard Communications, the Gallup Organization, and multiple mental health advocacy leaders to develop effective social marketing materials to address the stigma associated with mental illness and accessing mental health services. In order for these Public Services Announcements and other materials to be effectively used, mental health advocates must be enabled to use the materials with targeted audiences. The ACCESS Coalition accomplishes this through its relationship with members of the California Coalition for Mental Health (CCMH) - specifically Mental Health Associations and NAMI chapters that already conduct public education programs.

(3) Evidence-based Medicine/Practices - Being proactive and reactive:

We know that no one drug is effective for everyone. In each class of major medications - anti-depressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers - there are many excellent medications developed to treat similar symptoms. However, each one has a unique profile of efficacy and side effects. Individuals with the most severe and disabling mental illnesses often need multiple medications and their interactions often vary.

(4) Medi-Care Reform (Part D) and also State-Specific Medi-Cal Reform:

Medi-Cal and Medicare reform issues are very important, and the focus here is on educating ourselves and our memberships' constituencies about the issues that affect them. The ACCESS Coalition is working closely with the Department of Managed Health Care to develop outreach plans.

(5) Educating Legislators:

The ACCESS Coalition made a "resource guide" which we plan to distribute to Legislators in each county. It is a total educational message that is about how to access services in that county - including support services by stakeholder groups like NAMI, DBSA, CHADD, and consumer-run programs. It also includes resources to all local Guilds that serve individuals with mental illness (MSWs, MFT, CPA). Finally, it tackles private insurance issues - including why and how to contact the Department of Managed Care and how to advocate for denied mental health benefits.

(6) Mental Health Services Act Implementation:

Prevention and Early Intervention services are the heart and soul of the Mental Health Services Act. These services will be a new focus for community based agencies who should be providing these services but they often "get done" in other systems - such as social services. The ACCESS Coalition develops recommendations for disease management under prevention and early intervention services, and submits the recommendations to the Oversight and Accountability Commission.