Karl Dennis, is the Director of Kaleidoscope, Inc., in Chicago. Kaleidoscope is a community-based, licensed, not for profit child welfare agency serving children and families who have been rejected by many other agencies.

Gail Johnson Anderson a parent of a child with special health care needs. Mrs. Anderson lives in Laurel, Maryland.

Session Resources

Center for Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) This is a great federal website on all mental health issues, including children's mental health and insurance/3rd party payment information. The site offers a comprehensive listing of electronic links to children's mental health resources. Included in the list are resources for family support, advocacy, research, organizations and some websites specifically for children.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a leading advocacy and consumer organization, covering all mental heath issues and all age groups. They offer on-going, community-based family education training on living with a family member who has mental illness. In addition, they have state and local groups and many information resources.

Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health. This is the Surgeon General's report on the crisis in mental health care for our nation's children. The report introduces a blueprint for addressing the mental health needs of children. The entire report may be downloaded free of charge.

Safeguarding Medicaid's Younger Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses Health and Human Services (HHS) News Release. On January 19, 2001, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) issued an interim final rule with comment period that establishes a definition of a psychiatric residential treatment facility that is not a hospital and that may furnish covered Medicaid inpatient psychiatric services to individuals under age 21.

The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a national organization run by parents of children with mental health needs, to offer support, information, and education to other families. Chapters are available in many states. All types of mental health needs are included. The Federation of Families is also involved in public awareness and advocacy related to children's mental health needs.

Insurance Coverage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Children and Adolescents The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a Policy Statement on insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse services for children.

The American Medical Association has a special section devoted to adolescent mental health issues.

Glossary of Symptoms and Mental Illnesses Affecting Teenagers The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry produced an online glossary on symptoms and mental illnesses. The Glossary is organized by topics, e.g., anorexia nervosa, depression, learning disorders, and so forth.

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