Season’s greetings!
I hope each of you finds yourself with friends and family during this time of year.
In the spirit of giving, I’d love to share exciting updates, news, and opportunities with each of you:
New Jersey Legislature Passed Legislation Supporting Student Wellness
This week, three bills passed the New Jersey legislature which support student wellness: A4433, which creates a grant program that encourages school districts to partner with institutions of higher education in training school-based mental health services providers; A4434, which establishes a student wellness grant within the Department of Education; and – most notably – A4435, which requires the NJ Department of Children and Families to give priority to certain school districts with student mental health counseling centers in awarding grants under the School Based Youth Services Program. These bills are all headed to Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed into law and will represent huge wins when it comes to fully prioritizing the health of our students.
The Kennedy Forum Releases New Policy Platform Highlighting Youth Mental Health
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent advisory on youth mental health, rates of anxiety and depression among young people have doubled globally. Integrating mental health screenings into school physicals, prioritizing social emotional learning, and incorporating mental health education into curricula are just a few of the powerful steps we can take to make a difference in the lives of students nationwide. The full Kennedy Forum policy platform advocates for these actions and more that states and schools alike can begin now to provide critical support for student mental health.
MHA Releases “The State of Mental Health in America: 2022 Key Findings”
As a member of Mental Health America’s board of directors, I participated in MHA’s board meetings in Alexandria, VA earlier this month. There, we pored over their extensive findings regarding the state of mental health across the U.S. With MHA reporting that more than half of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, we need to take every opportunity to arm ourselves with the staggering reality of this mental health crisis, and enact long-lasting change. You can read MHA’s full report here. You can also assist MHA’s efforts by donating to their current Swear Jar fundraising campaign, in which Walgreens is matching each donation up to $500,000.
Healthy Minds Alliance is Accepting Host Site Applications
In consideration of the Surgeon General’s youth mental health advisory, it’s imperative to work toward Dr. Murthy’s every directive in supporting mental health. To that end, Healthy Minds Alliance, an innovative and community-focused AmeriCorps Program, is now accepting applications for host sites -- including schools, universities, nonprofits, and behavioral health organizations -- interested in having an AmeriCorps member serve full-time for 10 months as an expert guide on fostering healthier minds. These highly qualified mental health champions implement on-site training, build capacity to address community mental health needs, and raise funds to bolster services and activities in compliance with the Surgeon General’s findings.
Former Kennedy Fellow Appointed as U.S. Dept. of Ed. Director of OSEP
Valerie Williams served as the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellow on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, where she led charges to advance disability and civil rights. Now, I’m certain she’ll make similar waves in her new role as the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs within the U.S. Department of Education.
While there’s still much left to mend in our country, I hope, like me, you can find small moments during this holiday season to appreciate the good work we’ve wrapped up so far.
From my family to yours, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday.
All the best,
Amy
