Together, we're stronger.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, join NAMI Iowa and advocates from around the state for a day of education and inspiration. This advocacy event gives you the opportunity to hear from mental health experts on policy and pending legislation. We will train you to advocate to your legislators for mental health issues, and then we’ll take you to the Iowa Capitol to put your new skills into action! The more voices we have, the louder our message will be! 

Please check back soon for a full agenda with speaker and presenter details!

Mental Health Day on the Hill Agenda 

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.: Check-In and Registration (coffee and pastries available)

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.: Welcome — Ryan Crane, Executive Director, NAMI Iowa

9:10 - 10:10 a.m.: Panel Discussion: Solutions to Support a Thriving Mental Health Workforce — James Hayes, Executive Director, Mind & Spirit Counseling Center; Kellee McCrory, Program Manager, Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative; Jason Haglund, Founding Member and Senior Consultant, Rural Policy Partners

10:10 - 10:15 a.m.: Break

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.: Keynote Address: Ripples of Hope: Community, Connection, and Change for Iowa Mental Health — Kalie VanBaale, author, professor, and mental healthcare advocate; and Leslie Carpenter, Legislative Advocacy Manager for the Treatment Advocacy Center, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy, and NAMI Iowa Board member

11:15 - 11:20 a.m.: Break

11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.: How To Be An Effective Advocate for Change — Luke Bonner, Program Coordinator, and Bethany Kohoutek, Communications and Advocacy Director, NAMI Iowa

• NAMI Smarts for Advocacy (how to communicate effectively with legislators) 
• Meet other attendees from your legislative districts
• Navigating the Iowa State Capitol
• Overview of NAMI Iowa 2024 advocacy priorities and current legislation 

12:20 - 12:30 p.m.: Break

12:30 - 1:15 p.m.: Lunch 

1:00 - 1:30 p.m.: Buses to Capitol

1:15 - 3:30 p.m.: Conversations with your legislators

NEW!: POP-UP PROGRAMS

Feel free to join the following presentations as you are able. Often, individuals are not able to meet immediately with their legislators or have extra time. Join these informal presentations with policymakers and policy experts. We will gather at the west end of the First Floor Rotunda (directly across from the Grand Staircase). Legislators' schedules change daily and hourly; these are tentative presentations based on legislators' availability.

• 2:00 - 2:15 p.m.: How a Bill Becomes Law — Lon Anderson, NAMI Iowa lobbyist (west end of First Floor Rotunda)
• 2:15 - 2:30 p.m.: Legislator Viewpoint: Why Mental Health Matters — Rep. Mary Madison, Iowa House District 31
• 2:30 - 2:45 p.m.: Deep Dive on Current Bills — Representative from Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association
• 2:45 - 3:00 p.m.: Mental Health Priorities from a Legislative and Healthcare Perspective — Rep. Megan Srinivas, Iowa House District 30, and infectious disease physician

3:20 p.m.: Group photo on Grand Staircase on First Floor Rotunda inside Capitol

3:30-4:00 p.m.: Buses back to Holiday Inn

3:45-4:15 p.m.: Dessert and debriefing
 

 

Ticket Prices

Early Bird: $40* (Early Bird ticket sales end 2/1/24)

General Admission: $50*

Limited Income: $10* 

*Tickets entitle the purchaser to registration to the event, coffee and pastries during the morning training session, a complimentary boxed lunch, transportation to and from the Iowa Capitol, and a "debrief and dessert" for those who would like to join us. 

 

FAQs

Q: I’ve never advocated for mental health before. Will there be any help?A: Yes! We welcome those who are new to the lobbying to join us. We need your voices! To help new advocates, we will be holding a “How To Be An Effective Advocate for Change" training before lunch to teach you the basics. You’ll learn tips and tricks to get a hold of legislators when at the Capitol and what to say. We’ll even practice with some role-playing exercises.

Q: Are there mileage reimbursements available?
A: Carpool to save money! NAMI Iowa will pay your mileage if:

• You have at least 4 people in your car
• Drive 60 or more miles to the event
• Just tell us who was in your car, where you came from and your total mileage. We will reimburse up to $100 per car.

Please reach out to NAMI Iowa for further details on mileage reimbursement.

Q: Do I need to submit any financial documents to qualify for the Limited Income ticket option?
A: No, there is no need to provide any sort of financial information in order to purchase the Limited Income ticket. 

Q: Are there hotel rooms available?
A: Hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn are subject to availability. Reservations must be completed by the attendee. NAMI Iowa has a block of 10 rooms.  Call 515-283-0151 to reserve.

Hotel stipends of $50 per person are available for those who purchase a Limited Income ticket. To receive the stipend, please reach out to NAMI Iowa staff before booking a room. Hotel stipends are processed as reimbursements.

Q: What is the refund policy?
A: Registration may be refunded up to 48 hours before the event on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Amanda Huppert at amanda@namiiowa.org.

Q: How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
A: Please call the NAMI Iowa office at 515-254-0417 or email amanda@namiiowa.org.