WOW!! 100+ signatures in one day!! #FundRecoveryinTexas

We know that treatment works and recovery is possible! Now, we need to help our legislators understand what that means to us. I believe we are up for the task! We will ask our Texas legislators not only for policy to increase access to services but also to fund the need. #FundRecoveryinTexas While there are many steps ahead of us, your signature and continued support through the process is what really counts. Right now your Texas legislators are meeting in what is called the "Interim Session". The state representatives and senators who have been assigned to committees relating to the addiction crisis have been asked by their bosses to review, research, and evaluate what is working and what is needed to bring access for services. During the Interim Session, the House of Representatives has formed the "House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse" which is being led by Chairman Price out of Amarillo and Co-Chair Moody out of El Paso. They have 11 other House Rep's on their committee. You can find out who they are and if they are your representative by heading to this website: http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/committee/?committee=C394. The Senate has also been charged with researching and evaluating the "Opioid and Substance Abuse" public health issue in the Interim session through their Health & Human Services committee being led by Senator Schwertner and Senator Uresti with 7 others appointed. You can visit the website for the committee here: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/cmte.php?c=610. Are you wondering if you can take action and if it will matter? Are you feeling like your one voice may not make a difference? Believe me, I understand and have felt that way too many times. I know what it feels like to wonder how my one voice can have impact. I know it's seems impossible. But last Interim session (two years ago) I was told to keep showing up. I was told to stay focused, listen, and learn. I was told to use my voice and share my knowledge. I was told that it mattered. In May 2017, we passed a bill in the state of Texas making Peer Supports a billable service! All the work (and my doubt) paid off. We did it! Every one of our voices mattered. YES! Your voice matters and I'm hoping to share my experience and the knowledge I gained through the last Interim and Legislative sessions with each of you so our collective voices can be counted. Your communities are in need, your families are suffering, and together we can help our legislators better understand how to address the concerns. Next steps? We will use this petition site to continue providing updates and messages of how to get involved. We will do our very best to include all the information I am learning through the various coalition meetings, collaboratives, and advocacy groups I am involved with weekly. You will hear everything I learn along the way. We are in this together! What will I do next? Our teams have been circulating a document which outlines the House and Senate charges for Substance Use Disorder so we can review them and determine what can benefit the policy making efforts moving forward. The charges will be reviewed by folks working in the field, leaders of non-profits, constituents across Texas, people in recovery, and more. You will receive another update here with the reviewed document and I’ll make sure you have an opportunity to speak to those charges so I can include your thoughts. Remember, these charges are what the House and Senate committees must research and evaluate and will then be used to write policy and fund. These charges and the work of committees is incredibly important. What can you do now? Great questions and you've already take the first step! Our best way to move forward in Texas now as people who care passionately about this effort is to meet with your State Representatives and Senators while they spend time in their home towns. We encourage you to share four important facts with your elected officials while you meet with them: 1) Treatment works and recovery is possible. 2) Addiction is a chronic relapsing illness. 3) Addiction is not a crime. A public health approach is imperative. 4) Supporting multiple pathways and self-directed care is critical. We will have more detailed talking points based on the review of the charges for committees in the coming weeks! Stay tuned... For now --> I am focusing my language on "Funding Recovery in Texas" and have created the hashtag #FundRecoveryinTexas to follow that conversation. Please feel free to use it and share your personal stories of SUCCESS across Texas! The more we can show the beautiful voices and faces of recovery, the better chance we have of obtaining more access to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports in Texas. Here is a sample of an email you can send to your elected officials…. Hello (Insert Rep’s/Senators Name), Thank you for taking the time to meet me (you could say here you work in the filed or are a family member impacted). My name is Kimber Falkinburg and I am a woman in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. Because of the treatment and recovery supports I received, I am now a daughter, a business owner, a community volunteer, and a passionate advocate for people who need help. My hope is to see the Texas Legislature increase opportunity for more people to experience recovery like me! Your work in the Texas Legislature is invaluable to our efforts. Texas recently prioritized the Opioid and Substance Abuse concerns and I’m grateful this public health issue is getting the much needed attention it deserves. Should you have any questions or would like to meet in person, I am available to share my experience and become a resource for your efforts. Thank you for your time and dedication to serving Texans seeking help and thank you for creating access to prevention, treatment, and recovery. #FundRecoveryinTexas Sincerely, (insert name here) {**This is a sample. I recommend you use your language in your own email} Signing this petition was a great first step for you! Calling, meeting with, and getting to know your elected officials is a wonderful way to keep your feet moving forward. I am honored to be working on this with you and am in gratitude for the 100+ signatures received in just one day. Your heart and commitment to the cause will take us far. If you have any questions or your organization would like to discuss me providing updates, training, etc., please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is kimber@spreadhopelikefire.com. Please know, I am not receiving funding or other financial assistance with my advocacy efforts at this point. As such, you may not receive an immediate response and I may not be able to do everything we would like at once. I DO believe that together we can make a HUGE impact and I am grateful to do my part. Your patience is appreciated. With much respect, Kimber