Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we extend our warmest welcome to our students back into the classrooms, I find myself reflecting on the truly remarkable summer my family and I have had! Whether it was the opportunity to share insights on mental health on a
[link removed] global platform , provide guidance to the National Governors Association as they developed our new youth mental health [link removed] playbook [ [link removed] ], share remarks at the CDC Foundation and National PTA's [link removed] event [ [link removed] ] focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments for our children, attending the White House for the historic rulemaking [link removed] ceremony [ [link removed] ] in honor of my husband Patrick's authored 2008 Federal Parity Act, participating in meaningful discussions about the intersection of mental health and parenting on SAMHSA's 'What Parents Are Saying' [link removed] podcast [ [link removed] ], or simply relishing the simple joys of savoring popsicles and swimming with my children—each moment brought immense joy and fulfillment.

Upcoming: The Kennedy Forum’s Alignment for Progress Conference I eagerly anticipate The Kennedy Forum's Alignment for Progress Conference scheduled for October 3-4 in Boston. This event boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including Carole Johnson, U.S. Administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration, Margaret-Mary Wilson MD, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at UnitedHealth Group, and Dr. Thomas Insel, MD, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Humanest, among many other notable figures. Furthermore, we will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of The Kennedy Forum with an Awards Ceremony, a special performance, engaging networking sessions, and much more. I take great pride in participating in this historic occasion. I sincerely hope you can join us! To secure your spot, please register by emailing [email protected].

Remembering Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver
Last month, our nation lost a historic and impactful figure of our state of New Jersey, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. She was an unwavering advocate and public servant who impacted countless lives in her historic role. She believed in me and I am forever grateful for her support during my 2020 campaign. May our prayers and thoughts comfort her grieving family and our entire state in solace during this difficult time.

Policy Pulse
Patrick, the kids, and I were delighted to participate in the unveiling of the proposed rules for the Federal Parity Act at the White House in July. Recognizing the full potential of parity is crucial to promoting mental well-being nationwide and will profoundly impact our youth. Patrick has dedicated nearly 15 years of hard work to this cause. Currently, we are in a 60-day comment period, which coincides with the lead-up to the Alignment for Progress conference. We eagerly anticipate engaging in discussions about the future of mental health during the conference.
Back in New Jersey, one of my primary objectives has been to ensure that young children in our state can access school-based mental health resources without facing financial barriers. In June, two [link removed] bills were passed, enabling Medicaid to cover these resources and unlocking federal support for our students and school districts.

Kennedy Corner
Our children had an incredible experience meeting Former President Obama at the 2023 Nostos Conference in Greece. We all cherished the opportunity to listen to Patrick as he shared his distinctive perspective on mental health with the world. In the same summer, our kids were thrilled to meet President Biden. I am certain that this is a summer they will forever hold in their hearts.

On the home front
It was my pleasure to collaborate with Rich Ambrosino, the Executive Director of Shore House New Jersey, on [link removed] an op-ed [ [link removed] ]that urges Governor Murphy and legislative leaders to embrace the 'Clubhouse Model' for community-based mental health care. This model offers a cost-effective and compassionate approach to assisting individuals with serious mental illnesses in addressing their daily needs, ranging from housing to employment. I am committed to remaining actively engaged in our community, advocating for youth mental health and broader mental health resources, and continuing to show my love and support for our New Jersey community.

Thank you for reading and I will see you next time!

All the best,
Amy Kennedy
Pronouns: She/Her

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