Just when we need hope and energy they have appeared at NAMI-Dane County.  Lindsay Wallace, the new executive director, and the board of directors have launched several initiatives that will help members meet the obvious challenges ahead.

The board went through a strategic planning process designed to establish priorities and methods to measure success.  The three broad goals are: sustainability (fundraising-development), youth mental health, and advocacy.  Each goal has specific objectives to be met, often with target dates.

The redesigned website provides a staff blog.  A recent entry offers lessons learned from a MOSES-sponsored meeting on the mental health implications of crimeless revocation.  Such revocation occurs when a person is sent back to jail for a parole violation instead of committing a crime.  Executive Director Wallace was a speaker.

The strategic plan appears on the website, as do board minutes.  Recently, members heard an update on Housing Initiatives, a program that provides housing for people with mental illness.  Board members also are working on problems related to the criminal justice system.

NAMI-Dane County’s advocacy committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month from 5:30 to 7:00 at the United Way Building, 2059 Atwood Ave.  Currently, the committee is working on issues concerning youth mental health.

The website address is: http://www.namidanecounty.org.