Note: Members of the media are invited to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 17 to attend the symposium. Please contact Paige Rohe at 404-420-5129 or prohe@emory.edu to obtain a schedule of events and set-up interviews.
New research by the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University reveals that state by state policies continue to hinder children's mental health delivery 25 years after the strong recommendation of a federal plan to address the issue. The complete findings of this research will debut at this year's 24th annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy on Nov. 20-21, 2008, at The Carter Center in Atlanta.
More than 200 mental health advocates, policy-makers, practitioners, educators, and researchers from around the country will join former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-47). The invitation-only event is closed to the public, but portions will be webcast live and archived on www.cartercenter.org.
The Center's 2008 symposium will unveil Unclaimed Children Revisited, a follow-up study to recommendations and research originally conducted in 1983. The symposium, titled Unclaimed Children Revisited: Fostering a Climate to Improve Children's Mental Health, will discuss how a lack of responsive federal policy impedes states' progress in children's mental health care delivery and highlight opportunities for mental health advocates to formulate an action agenda in response. Mental health organizations wishing to attend the symposium should note that this year's event is full, but can be viewed online at www.cartercenter.org.
The Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy is part of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, which works to decrease stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses as well as promote positive policy change on mental health issues.
Click here for the complete two-day Symposium schedule (PDF). Note: The live webcast feed will begin at approximately 12:55 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20.
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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Please visit www.cartercenter.org to learn more about The Carter Center.
The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation's leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health and well-being of America's low-income families and children. Part of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, NCCP uses research to inform policy and practice with the goal of ensuring positive outcomes for the next generation. www.nccp.org.
Learn more about the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy
View the complete two-day Symposium schedule (PDF)
Read press release: The Kids Are Not All Right (Columbia University)
Read "Unclaimed Children Revisited: The Status of Children's Mental Health Policy in the United States"
Watch archived webcasts from the Twenty-Fourth Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy
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