Thanks to quick AACAP member action in just one day, child psychiatry trainees will be able to avail of a new loan forgiveness program that will help boost recruitment into the field! The Kennedy-Ros-Lehtinen child mental health professionals amendment was passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives today, by a vote of 380 – 38, after AACAP members responded to an urgent appeal asking members to contact their Representatives. The amendment to the Higher Education Act reauthorization bill, the College Access and Opportunity Act, H.R. 609, would extend eligibility for a loan forgiveness program designed to encourage recruitment into professions of special need (such as child welfare workers) to child mental health professionals, including child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Action on the child mental health professionals measure now moves to the Senate, where is must be passed into the companion Senate legislation, the Higher Education Act Amendments of 2005, S. 1614, which is due to for a Senate floor vote soon. The AACAP will keep members informed of these developments and when action is required. We thank Reps. Kennedy (D-RI) and Ros-Lehtinen for their sponsorship of this amendment which will help encourage recruitment into child and adolescent psychiatry, and for their leadership on all children’s mental health issues.

 This was a critical vote in support of increased access to mental health services for children and adolescents with mental illnesses and their families, and we thank all AACAP members who responded to our appeal.

View a complete list of current AACAP Legislative Alerts to learn more about the AACAP’s legislative agenda, including the priority workforce shortage legislation, the Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act, H.R.1106/S.537. If you have questions or would like more assistance in contacting your member of Congress, please call 800. 333. 7636, ext. 126, or e-mail Nuala Moore at nmoore@aacap.org.