POWER-C PRESS RELEASES

October 5, 2026

The POWER Coalition, together with the Defend Community Integration Coalition and other advocates, called for passage of bipartisan House Resolution 1586 affirming the right of people with disabilities, including people with mental health and addiction conditions, to live in their homes and communities rather than institutions. The Coalition also called for expanding community-based recovery support services.

September 15, 2026

The POWER Coalition submitted suggested confirmation questions to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ahead of Timothy Westlake, MD’s nomination hearing for HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, the role that provides oversight of SAMHSA. The questions address community integration and choice, homelessness, prevention, underserved populations, recovery support, and federal leadership.

August 28, 2026

The POWER Coalition launched “Nothing About Us Without Our Vote,” a new voter education campaign for people with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction conditions. The campaign includes a Comprehensive Voter Guide for People with Lived Experience with information on voter registration, voting options, requirements for people with criminal justice histories, and more.

August 25, 2026

A recorded conversation with CBHL and the POWER Coalition about the future of peer-led advocacy and recovery. Coalition leaders introduce the organization, highlight its initiatives, discuss future goals, and share how partners and community members can become involved.

August 17, 2026

The POWER Coalition rejects the Trump administration’s Best Practices Toolkit Addressing Homelessness and Addiction through “Treatment First” as harmful to people with behavioral health conditions and lacking evidence of effectiveness. The Coalition calls for permanent housing solutions with voluntary, community-based services instead. POWER-C+Toolkit+Statement

July 31, 2026

Mental Health Weekly reports on the POWER Coalition’s launch of “We Refuse to Go Backwards,” a national campaign aimed at defending the right of people with mental health and substance use conditions to live and receive services in their communities. The article also covers the Coalition’s advocacy around the ADA, Olmstead, supportive housing, recovery, and community-based services.

July 24, 2026

The POWER Coalition marked the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by releasing a series of video public statements renewing its commitment to protecting rights and promoting recovery. The statements are part of the Coalition’s growing campaign to defend rights, promote equity, and expand opportunities for recovery.

June 22, 2026

The POWER Coalition issued a call for justice and full accountability in the death of 31-year-old Daphy Michel, a Haitian asylum seeker with mental health conditions who had been held in ICE detention. The Coalition called for a full public investigation to hold the responsible parties accountable.

June 1, 2026

Mental Health Weekly reports on the POWER Coalition’s federal policy priorities and congressional advocacy to protect behavioral health funding, expand community-based and recovery-oriented services, and reject more coercive approaches to treatment. The article highlights the Coalition’s May 15 Capitol Hill briefing, including its calls to strengthen housing, peer support, and other community-based supports.

May 15, 2026

Sponsored by the Congressional Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus, this briefing examined the current landscape of mental health and substance use services nationwide, gaps in services, and federal actions needed to strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery. The panel featured perspectives from mental health and addictions recovery, youth, and families.

May 13, 2026

The POWER Coalition announced a May 15 congressional briefing urging Congress to safeguard the rights of people with mental health and substance use challenges while protecting and expanding proven recovery-oriented services. The briefing focused on what is working, where gaps remain, and what federal action is needed to strengthen behavioral health systems nationwide.

March 27, 2026

National mental health and substance use recovery advocates called on Congress to reject the SAVE America Act and instead protect and expand access to voting, particularly for people with disabilities. The statement warns that new proof-of-citizenship and identification requirements would create additional barriers for eligible voters.

February 2, 2026

Mental Health Weekly reports on the formation of a new national coalition of more than 40 recovery leaders, advocates, and activists working to safeguard civil and human rights and protect access to essential mental health and substance use services. The coalition brought together people with lived experience, peer leaders, disability and civil rights advocates, harm reduction practitioners, and families around voluntary, community-based, culturally responsive, and evidence-backed support.