AACAP Needs Your Help
Call Your State Senator!!!
Dear Florida AACAP Members:
Senate bill 2850, a bill that would discourage parents from seeking mental health screening for their child, has been introduced in the Florida Senate. Please call your State Senator about this important issue.
SB 2850 proposes adding additional language into mental health screening parental consent forms about the adverse events associated with psychotropic medications. It does not however mention the benefits of early intervention or psychosocial and psychotropic treatment.
Passage of SB 2850 would allow language into consent forms that will mislead parents into believing that their child is being evaluated specifically for medical intervention. In addition, it leads parents to believe that school personnel can adequately inform them about the risks and benefits of different treatment options, which is something that only trained medical professionals can effectively do. Passage of the bill will discourage parents from allowing mental health screening for their children, which can prevent effective, early treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.
Please call or e-mail your Senator and encourage them to vote “NO” on SB 2850! Click here to locate your state Senator
We cannot emphasis how important it is that YOU, YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR COLLEAGUES contact your State Senator’s office. The number of contacts matters, so a call or e-mail from you and your friends and colleagues will have a great effect.
Feel free to use the following message when calling or e-mailing your Senator”
“Dear Senator _____,
I am writing to you today to ask for your “NO” vote on SB 2850, this bill will mislead parents about the benefits of screening for mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.
SB 2850 would discourage parents from seeking mental health screening for their children. Mental health screening has been shown to be effective in early diagnosis of mental health disorders, and therefore allows for early treatment and the best possible outcome for the child.
Once again I urge you to vote “NO” on SB 2850.
Thank you again for all of your efforts on behalf of the citizens of Florida.”
We will send out another message informing you of any major action regarding this bill.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Ramon Gardenhire, JD, AACAP Assistant Director State Advocacy at 800.333.7636, Ext. 107 or by e-mail at rgardenhire@aacap.org
Thank you for your action.
Kristin K. Ptakowski, Director
Elizabeth Rorick, Assistant Director
Ramon Gardenhire, Assistant Director for State Advocacy
Abby Schopick, Legislative Assistant
