The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry was formed in 2013 as an affiliated 501(c)(6) organization of AACAP as a way for child and adolescent psychiatrists to increase their advocacy activities. Activities such as AACAP’s Legislative Conference, federal lobbying, grassroots, AACAP-PAC, and AACAP’s Advocacy and Collaboration Grants are all under the umbrella of the Association.
The mission of the Association is to engage in health policy and advocacy activities to promote mentally healthy children, adolescents, and families and the profession of child and adolescent psychiatry.
AACAP Legislative Activities
AACAP partners with our members in advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels to improve policies and services for children and adolescents with mental illness. We work to educate policymakers and administrators about issues affecting child and adolescent psychiatry and children's mental health and regularly engage our members on pertinent legislation and regulatory activities.
AACAP Congressional Fellowship
The AACAP Congressional Fellowship provides for one child and adolescent psychiatrist with significant interest in child and/or mental health advocacy to work in a congressional office. The recipient will serve a 10-month fellowship in Washington, D.C., where they will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the federal legislative process, learn more about health care issues, and experience the governmental process while representing the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.
AACAP Advocacy Toolkit (AACAP Members-Only)
Use the AACAP Advocacy Toolkit as a template to build your roadmap for advocacy for issues such as increasing access to quality mental health care for all patients, to improving the mental health care system.
How to Be an Advocate
Learn more about becoming an Advocacy Liaison or applying for an Advocacy and Collaboration Grant, and find other advocacy tools and training material for members looking to hone their advocacy skills and become involved.
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Federal and State Initiatives
Despite improved early identification and treatment, most youth with mental illnesses do not receive services and face barriers in accessing care. Learn more about AACAP's federal and state initiatives to help eliminate these barriers in our rapidly changing health care environment.
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Policy Resources
AACAP continually develops resources for members to use as they communicate with policymakers about issues related to child and adolescent psychiatry and children's mental health. Click here to download the resources, including sample communications, fact sheets, testimony, state-specific data cards, and more.
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Legislative Action Center
Make your voice heard on behalf of children with mental illness! Through AACAP's Legislative Action Center, you can take action on our current federal advocacy alerts, correspond with your members of Congress and the Administration, and contact your local media.
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AACAP-PAC
AACAP-PAC’s mission is to educate, support, and elect candidates for Congress who advocate for child and adolescent psychiatry and child mental health. Additionally, AACAP-PAC’s vision is that child and adolescent psychiatry will have strong relationships with legislators, so that Congress acts to improve child mental health.
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Advocacy Updates and Alerts
AACAP sends regular advocacy updates and action alerts to keep members updated on federal and state legislation and provide opportunities to get involved. Click here to read past updates and alerts.
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Regulatory Issues
AACAP regularly provides input on the implementation of federal laws related to child psychiatry and children's mental health by providing comments to federal agencies during the development of regulations.
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Legislative Conference
Through AACAP's annual Legislative Conference, members partner with family advocates to raise awareness for children's mental health issues and help our policy makers better understand the serious needs of these children and families.
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Amicus Curiae
The amicus curiae, or amicus briefs, is a legal term meaning "friend of the court" and is a method through organizations can offer the court additional information or perspective about a case. Learn more about the amicus briefs in which AACAP has participated.
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Leadership and Advocacy For ECPs
Upon graduation and starting one's first job or a private practice, ECPs will notice that there are aspects of leadership in virtually every position, regardless of the setting. We compiled information to help ECPs think about different aspects of leadership, such as leading a team, transitioning into a leadership position, and leading organizational change.
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AACAP Policy Statements
AACAP develops policy statements on key child and adolescent mental health topics to guide and define the child health care system and/or improve the mental health for all children and adolescents.
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