I am thinking hard on what I observed and felt at the National Research and Policy training conference on Ending Homelessness for People w/ SA & MI.

Some of the cast of Keynote and panel stars included Assist. Surgeon Gen. Pouissant, new SAMHSA Dir. Curie, Sister Mary Scullion — Homeless Activist, Andrew Sperling — NAMI P&P man, etc. With presenters like Judi Chamberlain, Deborah — consumer activist, Chicago, Julia Trip — consumer activist, Boston. HUD. Veterans Affairs. Funding Sources, Service Providers, Policy makers and enforcers, Coalitions, outreach to street people groups, awards for exemplary programs.

.. What/how to fund housing .. safe havens, sheltered and supported ..

Who lives in it? Only those enrolled in services, compliant, those practicing harm reduction?

Who lives in jails? Where do they go when they get out?

Too many in shelters and on the streets, alone. There is a NEED. .. Historical, Facts and Figures, evidence based and scientifically backed practices / reasons why and how .. they spend the taxpayers money ..

I think my gut is twisted because I see that our illness/madness/condition/lives are justification for systems. Systems that prove to their own standards what and why and how. Justification to perpetuate a huge mess.

There was also hope, there has to be.

Laura van Tosh was there and reminded us that is has taken a long time to see 80 consumers brought to the table on such a national level.

We must participate at all levels, of this I am sure.

Just wanted to share.

Susan Phipps

Juneau, Alaska