About Us • CT Keep The Promise Coalition

WORKING TOGETHER FOR

connecticut’s mental health.

For more than 2 decades, our group of dedicated leaders has worked tirelessly to defend our rights and ensure that the promise to fund mental health services is kept.

Ways to Join In Información en español

Man and Woman holding rally signs that say: "If Not Now -- When Will CT do this?" and "It is 2023, Past time to End Discrimination."

Who we are:

we are people, like you.

Keep The Promise Coalition has been advocating for a better mental health system since 1999.

We are Connecticut’s only grassroots social justice coalition led for and by people with lived experience of distress, crisis and psychiatric oppression. We use this experience to advocate for systems change, and expand human rights protections against force, coercion, and other oppression in Connecticut’s mental health system.

Our mission is to unite and empower all people living with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring conditions and their allies to advocate for comprehensive, equitable, and recovery-oriented public policy.

We do so with special attention to the many systemic inequities faced by all who are marginalized by Connecticut’s system of supports and services.

KTP advocates Domenique Thornton, Deborah Holcomb, and members of Independence Center Clubhouse stand with Lois Curtis— artist, activist, and lead plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C.

History Highlights:

Understanding how we got here is the first step toward making future progress. Here are a few key historic milestones + events.

1995

The state of CT closes Fairfield Hills & Norwich State psychiatric hospitals.

1999

Supreme Court makes landmark ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., cementing the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in the most integrated community setting.

Keep The Promise Coalition is formed by lived experience advocates, to make the state “keep its promise” to use savings from the hospital closings to fund community services.

2000

Connecticut forms a “Blue Ribbon Commission” on mental health. KTP is actively involved in the commission’s work and adopts the blue ribbon as its logo.

2016

KTP partners with the Office of the Healthcare Advocate to host a two-hour forum on mental health issues for new legislators.

2023

Keep The Promise Coalition joins with partners across the disability advocacy community to form the Stop HUSKY Health Discrimination Coalition to fix the HUSKY C eligibility limits which discriminate against people with disabilities and older adults

2024

Keep The Promise Coalition launches its Community Solutions, Not Institutions campaign to protect human rights, deinstitutionalize Connecticut’s mental health system, and build power for community based services led by people with lived experience.

our team:

JORDAN FAIRCHILD

She/They

Executive Director
(860) 788-6180 | EMAIL

DEVONTÉ KUNZIKA

He/They

Community Organizer/Coordinator
(860) 788-6180 | EMAIL

statements from our KTP family:

“People like me don’t get heard, but KTP is my voice. They always welcome me and advocate for my needs. I feel valued by them.”

– ANTHONY “TONY” DYOUS

“KTP has been a defender of people’s rights and dignity since its inception. Leading the way to the reduction of force & coercion in system. KTP fiercely fights to keep services voluntary.”

– PAUL ACKER

“KTP is the preeminent voice for people with mental health challenges in Connecticut. A resource for other Coalition members seeking a deeper understanding of positively advocating for change within the State of Connecticut’s Legislature.”

– TOM BURR

“KTP includes and elevates people with first-hand lived experience – because KTP knows what you’ve been through, because they’ve been there, too.”

– KATHY FLAHERTY

Group of KTP members marching in a rally holding a "Support Blue Ribbon Solutions" sign.

nos comprometemos.

Estamos comprometidos con la construcción de un sistema de salud mental comunitario compasivo, integral y equitativo que respete y empodere a las personas en su recuperación. Decimos no a las instituciones y sí a las soluciones comunitarias.

EN ESPAÑOL

WORKING TOGETHER FOR

connecticut’s mental health.

Who we are:

we are people, like you.

History Highlights:

1995

1999

2000

2016

2023

our team:

statements from our KTP family:

“People like me don’t get heard, but KTP is my voice. They always welcome me and advocate for my needs. I feel valued by them.”

– ANTHONY “TONY” DYOUS

“KTP has been a defender of people’s rights and dignity since its inception. Leading the way to the reduction of force & coercion in system. KTP fiercely fights to keep services voluntary.”

– PAUL ACKER

“KTP is the preeminent voice for people with mental health challenges in Connecticut. A resource for other Coalition members seeking a deeper understanding of positively advocating for change within the State of Connecticut’s Legislature.”

– TOM BURR

“KTP includes and elevates people with first-hand lived experience – because KTP knows what you’ve been through, because they’ve been there, too.”

– KATHY FLAHERTY

nos comprometemos.

advocacy & action

for connecticut’s

mental health.

Our Address
nuestra dirección

General information
información general

Subscribe / Subscribite

WORKING TOGETHER FOR

connecticut’s mental health.

Who we are:

we are people, like you.

History Highlights:

1995

1999

2000

2016

2023

our team:

statements from our KTP family:

“People like me don’t get heard, but KTP is my voice. They always welcome me and advocate for my needs. I feel valued by them.”

– ANTHONY “TONY” DYOUS

“KTP has been a defender of people’s rights and dignity since its inception. Leading the way to the reduction of force & coercion in system. KTP fiercely fights to keep services voluntary.”

– PAUL ACKER

“KTP is the preeminent voice for people with mental health challenges in Connecticut. A resource for other Coalition members seeking a deeper understanding of positively advocating for change within the State of Connecticut’s Legislature.”

– TOM BURR

“KTP includes and elevates people with first-hand lived experience – because KTP knows what you’ve been through, because they’ve been there, too.”

– KATHY FLAHERTY

nos comprometemos.

advocacy & action

for connecticut’s

mental health.

Our Address nuestra dirección

General information información general

Subscribe / Subscribite

Our Address
nuestra dirección

General information
información general