It has been over two decades since HAI has experienced the “headwinds” of economic retrenchment. Faced with this prospect now with respect to a portion of our mental health funding, we once again have turned to our constituency “to step up to bat” in support of the HAI services they have been receiving. Included in this issue are sample quotes from copies of hundreds of support letters representative of consumers and clinical staff. As of this writing, the economic winds are calming and it appears the budget might be back in place in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.

On a positive note, HAI has been increasing its collaboration with the NYC Department of Education as an approved vendor for several services. Both services to special education teachers and students and the STEP Program have grown since their inception several years ago. Special education students can participate in arts workshops, and their teachers can learn how to use the arts in their classrooms. STEP (Student Teacher Enrichment Program) purchases tickets to cultural / sporting events on behalf of schools. Because the
volume has become so great, the Shubert Organization has installed its Star System to facilitate the large amount of group sales. As word spreads among the doctors and nurses in New York City hospitals, HAI's group sales capabilities are being utilized to expand a source of earned income for its basic mission.

Other HAI services now offered to the NYC Department of Education include youth theater presentations and staff development training. Both address critical issues important to youth and educators, including violence prevention, sex education and conflict resolution. The growth of our school-based programs will be the new medium of outreach to youth. Demanding and exciting times....

-Michael Jon Spencer, HAI Founder & Executive Director of HAI