PRIORITY ONE
To provide direct advocacy services for persons preparing a transition home from jail or prison

a. Promote full accessibility of recovery programs, housing, community corrections, and other government-funded programs for people with psychiatric disabilities and protect against delay or denial in services due to disability;

b. Investigate abuse and neglect complaints where there is probable cause to suspect abuse or neglect inside correctional facilities;

c. Advocate that the Department of Mental Health and DC Medicaid promote self-determination and consumer choice and provide quality services and supports;

d. Work through parole and criminal defense sentencing mitigation to ensure all persons with psychiatric disabilities have access to services in the most integrated community settings;

e. Advocate for appropriate services and inclusion in the community for individuals who are preparing for discharge from the DC Jail.

f. Advocate for appropriate services and inclusion in the community for individuals returning to DC from federal prison.

g. Advocate for appropriate services and inclusion in the community for individuals under parole or probation community supervision who are at imminent risk of incarceration.

h. Advocate against the improper use of seclusion, restraint, and medication at facilities where DC residents receive services.

i. Strengthen self-advocacy and social integration after reentry through peer-based outreach and support.

PRIORITY TWO
To advance public awareness of legal rights

a. Provide outreach and education to administrative and policy-making bodies, advocates, and service providers to promote self-determination, consumer choice, incorporation of best practices and high quality services in the least restrictive environment;

b. Provide outreach and education to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons to promote their self-determination, self-advocacy and knowledge of resources and legal rights

c. Promote the leadership of formerly incarcerated men and women in the training and campaigns aimed at spreading public awareness on the basic rights of persons using mental health services.

PRIORITY THREE
To advance systemic reform

a. Challenge the community’s reliance on incarceration, particularly in response to technical violations of community supervision.

b. Promote the inclusion of trauma-informed care within correctional and community service provision for individuals who have experienced a traumatic event including threats of death, serious injury or threats to the physical integrity of self or others.

c. Improve discharge planning procedures at the DC Jail and promote a public health model that provides continuity of care and services with transparency, dignity, human rights and public health protections as youth and adults transfer through the District’s criminal justice system.

d. Advocate for independent living options for people who need low-income housing and services and supports

e. Optimize the competency and dignity of individuals with mental illness to advance their voice in public discussions and policy making.