AACAP Needs Your Help
Call State Committee Senators!!!
Dear Florida AACAP Members:
Senate bill 2850, a bill that would discourage parents from seeking mental health screening for their child, and increase the stigma associated with seeking mental health services has been introduced in the Florida Senate. This bill has been referred to the Committees on Education Pre-K-12, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations. Please call the members of these committees about this important issue!
SB 2850 proposes adding additional language into mental health screening parental consent forms about the adverse effects associated with psychotropic medications, without mentioning the benefits of early intervention of psychosocial and psychotropic treatment. Passage would allow language that will mislead parents into believing that their child is being evaluated specifically for medical intervention. It is aimed at scaring parents away from mental health screening for their children, which can prevent effective, early treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional disorders. In addition, it can lead parents to believe that school personnel can adequately inform them about the risks and benefits of different treatment options, which is something that only trained medical professionals can effectively do.
The following State Senators need to hear from you about this bill!
Committee on Education Pre-K- 12
Chair: Senator Don Gaetz - gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5009
Vice Chair: Senator Frederica S. Wilson - wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5116
Senator Larcenia J. Bullard - bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5127
Senator Lisa Carlton - carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5081
Senator Ted Deutch - deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5091
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla - portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5109
Senator Stephen R. Wise - wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5027
Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Chair: Senator Ronda Storms - storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5072
Vice Chair: Senator Gwen Margolis - margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5121
Senator Carey Baker - baker.carey.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5014
Senator Mike Haridopolos - haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5056
Senator Anthony C. "Tony" Hill, Sr. - hill.anthony.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5024
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn - lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5033
Senator Nan H. Rich - rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5103
Senator J. Alex Villalobos - villalobos.alex.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5130
Committee on Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations
Chair: Senator Stephen R. Wise - wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5027
Vice Chair: Senator Gary Siplin - siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5190
Senator Larcenia J. Bullard - bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5127
Senator Lee Constantine - constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5050
Senator Paula Dockery - dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487- 5040
Senator Rudy Garcia - garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5106
We cannot emphasis how important it is that YOU, YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR COLLEAGUES contact these Senator’s office’s. The number of contacts matters, so a call or e-mail from you and your friends and colleagues will have a great effect.
Feel free to use the following message when calling or e-mailing your Senator:
“Dear Senator _____,
I am writing to you today to ask for your “NO” vote on SB 2850, this bill will mislead parents about the benefits of screening for mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.
SB 2850 is aimed at scaring parents when they are deciding whether or not to seek mental health treatment by showing perceived negative benefits of screening. Whereas mental health screening can be effective in the detection of potential mental health disorders, and therefore would allow for early treatment and the best possible outcome for the child.
Once again I urge you to vote “NO” on SB 2850.
Thank you again for all of your efforts on behalf of the citizens of Florida.”
We will send out another message informing you of any major action regarding this bill.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Ramon Gardenhire, JD, AACAP Assistant Director State Advocacy at 800.333.7636, Ext. 107 or by e-mail at rgardenhire@aacap.org
Thank you for your action.
