From Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Action Alerts: “The Social Security Administration (SSA) has proposed changes to the way decisions are made for awarding disability benefits based on a mental impairment. These changes will threaten the ability of people with serious mental illnesses to obtain benefits…. The changes appear … > read more
I’ve been trying to assist a friend who wants and needs help with recovery from addiction. My friend doesn’t have the benefit of good health insurance. Few long-term addicts do. Serious addiction often leads to unemployment, and that means no insurance. Without insurance, treatment options are limited to local and … > read more
The following is a guest post, written by Donna Newton of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress. It contains important information about RUCO, and how you can take action in support of RUCO. (Slightly edited for the web from original emails.) # # # # # RUCO is under attack by opponents … > read more
The headline caught me by surprise: “Substance abuse treatment center penalized after patient’s death.” “The Guilford Center has been issued two administrative penalties for violating state statutes regarding medication requirements and clinical and nursing competence following the death of a patient in January, a county agency said today…” First of … > read more
According to a report released today, Greensboro’s seven winter emergency shelters collectively hosted 205 people between 12/01/2009 and 03/31/2010. Some demographics about those who stayed in Greensboro’s winter homeless shelters this year: 55 women 150 men 13% age 18-30 years (youngest 18) 72% age 31-55 years 15% 56 years or … > read more
Jeri Rowe writes about the life and death of James Roscoe Davis, a homeless man I first met at a Wednesday night dinner at Grace Community Church, years ago. The Roscoe I knew was chronically homeless, mentally ill, addicted. Rowe’s article revealed the Roscoe I never knew — the real … > read more
“Whether they go is not an option; how and when they go is up to them.” A source tells me that construction on the next phase of the Downtown Greenway could begin as soon as mid-November. Installation of traffic lights on Lee Street could be completed by the end of … > read more
Today on my way home from church, I saw one of the many U.S. military veterans that I know who are or have been homeless in Greensboro. He was flying a sign at his usual corner. I stopped to say hello and asked if I could take a picture of … > read more
I have literally lost track of the number of alcoholics and addicts I know who have used their disability checks, utility checks and food stamp cards to get alcohol and drugs. I have concluded that putting any kind of benefits check or a food stamp card directly in the hands … > read more
In early August, I met with Andy Scott, director of the City’s department of Housing and Community Development, and members of his staff, to discuss how the City’s plans to buy the Coliseum Inn would affect the low-income and homeless people who stay there. Street outreach teams from NightWatch and … > read more