Representative Grace F. Napolitano Representing the 38th District of California
 
  For Immediate Release Contact: 202-225-5256  
June 2, 2009  
     

Rep. Grace F. Napolitano Introduces Legislation Expanding  School-Based Mental Health Services

     
     
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk), Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, introduced the Mental Health in Schools Act on May 20, 2009. This legislation would authorize $200 million in competitive grants to local education agencies to assist them in implementing effective delivery of comprehensive mental health services for students (K-12), administered by state licensed or certified mental health professionals on site.
 
“Research and statistics convey an alarming truth: approximately one in five children have a diagnosable mental disorder. We must act now to ensure that mental health professionals can provide care for children in need of assistance in dealing with psychological and emotional problems,” explained Napolitano.
 
Congresswoman Napolitano was joined by 20 of her colleagues as original co-sponsors.
 
The legislation proposes to:

·        Promote positive mental health education and training to all students, parents, siblings of students, and concerned members of the community;
 
·        Help school districts identify and support students and parents in need of mental health care and those at-risk of behavioral mental health disorders, allowing teachers to concentrate on teaching;
 
·        Ensure that schools provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and comprehensive staff development for school and community service personnel;
 
·        Increase collaboration between schools, health providers and communities through coalition building;
 
·        Require schools to apply a public health approach that incorporates positive behavioral interventions and supports, targeting all students;

·        Require schools to thoroughly document measures of outcome and demonstrate the actions they are taking to sustain the program independently of grant funds;

·        Require schools to account for the needs of youth who drop out of schools due to “zero tolerance policies,” and those who have been incarcerated or are emancipated as foster youth.
 
“Studies show that it is not the treatment of mental illnesses that is expensive, rather, it is the failure to treat them,” noted Napolitano. “Enacting this legislation will be of great benefit to society, allowing mental health professionals to care for our kids, and teachers to concentrate on teaching, while reducing family conflict, substance abuse, violence, incarceration, and suicide.”
 
“Mental illnesses are diagnosable and treatable, and Congress must act not only to erase the stigma, but also to provide our children with the support they need to thrive as healthy and productive citizens.”
 
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