Public Policy Making Survey

Knowing that policy making decisions reached by those we elect to public office can and do impact the quality of life experienced by the individuals and families that the Guidance Center treats in western Arkansas, we decided to distribute a survey to candidates involved in state legislative races. The one-page survey asked candidates to share with us what actions they might take, as an Arkansas legislator, on four separate public policy issues.

The short survey was sent to 19 candidates and legislators involved in the five senatorial districts and ten representative districts encompassed by the

Center's six-county service area of Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Scott and Sebastian counties. Once elected, these policy makers will serve in the 85th Arkansas General Assembly scheduled to begin January 2005.

Although space does not allow us to put all the responses we received in this feature, we would like to share the following highlights:

We invite our readers to take this brief survey. Once we compile your responses, we will forward the survey results to the legislators.

Take Our Public Policy Making Survey
Once we compile your responses, we will forward the survey results to the legislators.

As a legislator, what actions would you take on mental health parity (mental health coverage to the same extent as physical health coverage) in Arkansas?
     
a. I would sponsor a mental health parity bill.
b. I would vote for a mental health parity bill.
c. I do not support mental health parity.
     

As a legislator, what actions would you take on acute psychiatric (inpatient) care?
     
d. I would sponsor a bill to fund community-based acute care.
e. I would vote for a bill to fund community-based acute care.
f. I do not support funding for community-based acute care.
     

As a legislator, what actions would you take to increase per capita funding for the Arkansas' fifteen community mental health centers (CMHCs)?

Note: Per capita funding from state general revenue for CMHCs has been static since 1993 at $3.06 per capita.
     
g. I would sponsor a bill to increase per capita funding for CMHCs.
h. I would vote for a bill to increase per capita funding for CMHCs.
i. I do not support increasing per capita funding for CMHCs.
     

As a legislator, what actions would you take on the creation of community-based Crisis Resolution Centers (CRCs)?
     
j. I would sponsor a bill to fund community-based acute care.
k. I would vote for a bill to fund community-based acute care.
l. I do not support funding for community-based acute care.
     
Thank You For Taking Our Online Survey

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  Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, Inc. 3111 South 70th Street PO Box 11818 Fort Smith, AR 72917-1818