Government
Grants for children's mental health
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 2, 2007
A new bipartisan congressional bill would provide $205 million for grants and research to enhance and better coordinate mental health care for children. The legislation would require the Dept. of Health and Human Services to provide grants for early intervention and preventive services for child and adolescent mental health and comprehensive state mental health plans, and establish interagency coordination of systems for mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, education and juvenile justice.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007, calls for the Dept. of Education to provide grants for mental health and case management services in schools. The bill is supported by the American Psychiatric Assn., the American Assn. of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry and the National Assn. of State Mental Health Plan Directors, among others.
"Regrettably, children's mental health disorders continue to carry an unfortunate stigma -- a stigma that all too often keeps children and adolescents from getting the help they need," said the legislation's sponsor, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D, Conn.).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/07/02/gvbf0702.htm.