Advocacy Project: Issue Overiview

Introduction
The goal of my program is to ensure better screening for Mental Health and Mental Disorders in Juvenile Facilities. But the bill I am focusing on is set out to improve treatment of juveniles with mental health or substance abuse disorders by establishing new grant programs for increased training, technical assistance, and coordination of service providers.

Who’s Affected?
I would say the people affected most are the juveniles and the employees at the juvenile facilities. Both of these sets of people will benefit. The juveniles will be treated better, while the employees will learn a new skill in their increased training. But another set of people who are affected, who may be opposed, are taxpayers. Most of the money put into grants comes from taxpayer’s money. So people may say ‘I don’t know any juveniles in treatment centers, so why should I give them my tax money?’

Consequences?
Well the consequences for the taxpayers would be simply the fact that they lose money. But the families who have juveniles in the treatment center would have only positive consequences. Their son/daughter would be treated better, making everyone happier. Society should theoretically improve because of this too. If the juveniles are treated better, and are able to function normally sooner, they will be able to go back into society with a seamless transition.

Economic Impact?
The economic costs of the issue are simply the taxpayers are paying more for this. While the cost per taxpayer would be minimal, people would still be opposed. People who benefit economically I guess would be the juveniles themselves. If after treatment, they are able to go back into the business world, they should be able to get jobs.

Social Impact?
Kind of along the same lines, the people who benefit socially would be the juveniles and the families themselves. Once they get out of treatment, life should theoretically be better for them.

Barriers?
Taxpayers. Whenever anyone here’s they may have to pay a tax on something new, they are automatically opposed until they find out what it is going towards. People will especially be opposed because of the state of the economy right now. People don’t want to just throw around money anymore unless they directly see the effect of it. But they can be overcome by getting the word out about the bill. Put ads in newspapers, commercials on TV, anything to get people to take notice.

Resources?
Resources that will be needed to address the issue are basically just money. But resources that WILL be affected if the bill goes through would be first and foremost, the employees. The money would go directly to training the employees. But another resource affected would maybe be the devices and tools used to measure Mental Health. By this I mean money may go to a new computer, which has programs on it designed specifically for this purpose.

History of the issue?
This is a section where I searched and searched and found literally nothing on bills like this. So unfortunately, I cannot comment on this section just yet. But I will keep looking into it, and when I do find something, I will put it in this post.

Allies and Opponents?
People who would support this issue would be the various Juvenile Mental Health Facilities. Also, such organizations such as the Minnesota State Advisory Council on Mental Health, as well as Minnesota Mental Health Clinics. Opponents would simply be taxpayers. I don’t see any other people who would oppose, (Any ideas???) mainly because it seems like a good cause. If juveniles are treated and cured or mental disorders, it really benefits everyone.

My Recommendation?
Please vote YES on HR 1931 – The Juvenile Crime Reduction Act!