AACAP Applauds Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Rep. Tim Murphy, Rep. Grace Napolitano, And Senate Aide Connie Garner

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 03 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) will honor Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and Policy Advisor to Senator Edward Kennedy, Connie Garner, for their commitment to children and families living with mental illnesses. These awards mark the start of AACAP's Advocacy Day, a day where more than 100 child and adolescent psychiatrists, accompanied by 25 family members affected by mental illness, will educate federal legislators about the necessity of improving children's access to mental health care. The AACAP honors:

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) for his co- sponsorship of The Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act (S. 1572), legislation drafted to alleviate the acute shortage of children's mental health professionals. Sen. Bingaman is also a leading supporter of suicide prevention efforts, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) and for Medicaid provisions that expand pathways for children's mental health care.

Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) for his work as Co-Chairman of the Mental Health Caucus and for his effort to provide mental health insurance coverage for all Americans in the 110th Congress. Rep. Murphy's background as a child psychologist gives him special insight into the devastation of untreated mental illness.

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA) for her service as Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus and for her support of mental health coverage for all Americans in the 110th Congress. Rep. Napolitano has shown her long-standing commitment to cultural diversity by working to meet the mental healthcare needs of children from all backgrounds.

Connie Garner, Policy Director, Disabilities and Special Needs, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Senator Edward Kennedy Chairman, for her commitment to mental health issues in the 110th Congress, and for her ongoing work to improve children's access to quality mental health care. Ms. Garner has been instrumental in fighting for equitable insurance coverage for individuals with mental illnesses and improving mental health services in schools.

Sen. Bingaman, Rep. Murphy, and Rep. Napolitano will receive the AACAP Friends of Children's Mental Health Award. Dr. Garner will receive the AACAP Congressional Staffer of the Year Award. These awards will be presented at the Rayburn House Office Building, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday April 3rd.

Mission of the AACAP

Promote mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry