MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA of GREATER TAMPA BAY, INC.
RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAY 15, 2008

“CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA'S MENTAL HEALTH”

WHEREAS; the November 2008 elections will create tremendous public interest because of the historical Presidential election and because all of the seats in the Florida House of Representatives and one half of the seats in the Florida Senate are up for election; and

WHEREAS; this unique opportunity allows us to ask candidates to take stands on improving Florida's Mental Health and to educate the interested electorate about the issues;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED; THAT the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay, Inc. shall create and calls on all Florida Mental Health organizations to participate in creating a “CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA'S MENTAL HEALTH” listing the critical steps that must be taken by the Florida legislature to improve the status of mental health of Floridians and thereby,

          * reduce the financially ill advised and inhumane impact of recent budget cuts to mental health programs; and 

          * lessen the financial burden on Florida's citizens by implementing evidence based programs which are better for those needing treatment and help and which are known to be less expensive than the course set in the 2008 session of the Florida legislature.

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED; THAT the officers and Executive Director of Mental Health America reach out to all Mental Health organizations, stakeholders, and other advocates in the private and public sector to participate in creation and promotion of the “CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA'S MENTAL HEALTH”; and,

LET IT BE STILL FURTHER RESOLVED; THAT the officers and Executive Director of Mental Health America call during this election season for TAMPA BAY REGION MENTAL HEALTH BRAINSTORMING COUNCIL III so that all the concerned organizations and individuals in the Tampa Bay region can learn the issues in the “CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA'S MENTAL HEALTH” and how to participate in educating the rest of the voting public about them.