This month, 25 psychologists from Children’s National Hospital, along with APA Services staff, met with members of Congress to advocate for bipartisan legislation to support youth and maternal mental health. These psychologists, all new to advocacy, led nine meetings with staff of members of Congress representing local districts in Maryland and Virginia to urge them to support three bills:
The Helping Kids Cope Act (H.R. 2412) (PDF, 125KB)opens in new window, which would authorize three new programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to improve access to community-based services, support training to enhance the pediatric mental health workforce, and invest in critical pediatric mental health infrastructure.
The Youth Mental Health Research Act (H.R. 5976/S. 3060) (PDF, 44KB)opens in new window, which would authorize $100 million per year for 5 years for a research initiative within the National Institutes of Health to guide long-term recovery of youth and improve the treatments delivered to young people, including those in crisis, with the goal of reducing mental health disparities in youth.
The Moms Matter Act (H.R. 3312/S. 1602) (PDF, 472KB)opens in new window, which would authorize funding for HRSA programs to deepen and diversify the interprofessional maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce and increase investments in community-based programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Prior to the congressional visits, APA Services staff led a virtual advocacy training on January 19, 2024, for Children’s National Hospital psychologists and staff to learn more about the bills as well as best practices for engaging in advocacy in preparation for their Hill visits. APA Director of Grassroots Engagement Doris Parfaite-Claude, MPP, gave participants an overview of the role of Congress and communicating effectively in congressional meetings. APA Director for Congressional and Federal Relations Krysta Jones, MA, briefed the group on each piece of legislation and how they would help address the youth and maternal mental health crises, as well as how to build and deliver a pitch to encourage members of Congress to support these bills during their Hill meetings.
This event is the first collaboration between APA Services and psychologists at DC’s Children’s National Hospital. It builds upon the association’s commitment to advocating for children, youth, and families.
For more information, contact Doris Parfaite-Claude and Krysta Jones.