Programs

  • Program 1 [2020]

    PARTNERSHIPS: MENTAL HEALTH FOR US, A NONPARTISAN EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 2019, ELEVATED MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION IN POLICY CONVERSATIONS DURING THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE. THE INITIATIVE, WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY MORE THAN 100 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, PRESENTED A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY PLATFORM WITH THREE MAIN FOCUS AREAS: PREVENTION, ACCESS AND INTERVENTION, AND RECOVERY. FORMER U.S. REP. PATRICK J. KENNEDY (D-RI) AND FORMER SENATOR GORDON SMITH (R-OR) SERVED AS CO-CHAIRS. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARTNERSHIPS)MENTAL HEALTH FOR US SURVEYED TOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH PLATFORMS, KICKING OFF POLICYMAKER AND VOTER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS NATIONWIDE. NEARLY 14,000 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED DURING HIGH-PROFILE GRASSROOTS EVENTS. IN 2019, THE INITIATIVE EDUCATED VOTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC; IOWA; AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.IN 2020, ADDITIONAL TOWN HALL-STYLE EVENTS WERE HOSTED: -JANUARY 2020, THE HARVEN STUDENT ROUNDTABLE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, CA -JANUARY 2020, BOVARD AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, CA -FEBRUARY 2020, AGENDA FOR CHANGE: UNITE, CONNECT, ACT; KENNEDY CAUCUS ROOM, RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, DCDUE TO COVID-BASED RESTRICTIONS, THE KENNEDY FORUM ULTIMATELY SHIFTED TO WEEKLY COALITION CALLS, ZOOM MEETINGS AND WEBINARS WITH COALITION PARTNERS-AND PRODUCED ROBUST DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS AND TOOLKITS FOR USE THROUGHOUT THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE.KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS - THE KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS, LLC, (TKFI), FORMALIZED IN 2016, IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC (A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR TAX PURPOSES) OF MHLI. FOUNDED BY ILLINOIS CIVIC LEADERS AND PATRICK J. KENNEDY, TKFI WORKS TO ADVANCE THE KENNEDY FORUM MISSION IN ILLINOIS. TKFI IS SUPPORTED BY A STRONG, VISIBLE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. PRIORITIES INCLUDE: -FIGHTING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT COMMUNICATIONS; -INCREASING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE WORKFORCE; AND -DEVELOPING STRONG STATE POLICY RESPONSES TO MHSUD PARITY AND EQUITY WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HAVING ILLINOIS SERVE AS A MODEL PARITY STATE.IN 2020, TKFI DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO, AND THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -A SEAT AT THE TABLE (FORMERLY "ON THE TABLE"): TKFI ENGAGED A DIVERSE GROUP OF ILLINOISANS IN THE "A SEAT AT THE TABLE" INITIATIVE, DESIGNED TO ADVANCE DISCUSSIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN ORDER TO REDUCE STIGMA. THE PROGRAM HAD GREAT SUCCESS, WITH OVER 150 CONVERSATIONS TOUCHING WELL OVER 2,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY AND STATE - IN OVER 60 ZIP CODES. IN ADDITION, A FACEBOOK GROUP WAS CREATED TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND HOSTS, PROVIDING TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONVERSATIONS AND IDEAS FOR WAYS TO STAY ENGAGED AFTER EACH CONVERSATION. -SPOTLIGHT EVENT: IN FEBRUARY 2020, TKFI HOSTED "COMMUNITY, SPORTS, AND MENTAL WELLNESS" AT KENNEDY-KING COLLEGE. ON THE EVE OF THE NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND, TKFI CONVENED TOP TALENT, COMMENTATORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THE WAYS IN WHICH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS AND THEIR PLAYERS ARE EMBRACING MENTAL WELLNESS AS A WAY TO SUCCEED ON AND OFF THE PLAYING FIELD. THE EVENT ALSO ADDRESSED HOW COMMUNITIES CAN BENEFIT FROM THESE APPROACHES AND ADOPT SIMILAR TECHNIQUES. SPEAKERS INCLUDED METTA WORLD PEACE, ELZIE LEE "LZ" GRANDERSON, CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW, AND DR. WILLIAM PARHAM. NEARLY 300 PEOPLE ATTENDED IN PERSON AND OVER 100 VIEWED THE YOUTUBE VIDEO. -MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: TKFI DELIVERED FREE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING TO NEARLY 5,000 COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE CHICAGOLAND AREA. THE TRAININGS INCLUDED INFORMATION ABOUT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, WHERE TO FIND RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN AND HOW TO CONTACT A SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE OFFICER IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. -POLICY: THANKS IN PART TO TKFI'S LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY, ILLINOIS ENACTED THE STRONGEST STATE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PARITY LAW IN THE COUNTRY IN ORDER TO HELP END INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION. THE ORGANIZATION AIDED STATE GOVERNMENT IN FULLY IMPLEMENTING THE PARITY LAW WHILE EDUCATING CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW.TKFI RAISED $789,595 IN 2020 IN SUPPORT OF ITS INITIATIVES.SUTTER HEALTH-THE KENNEDY FORUM CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE - THE KENNEDY FORUM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE, MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT AND INSURER COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARITY LAWS. THE SUTTER HEALTH/KENNEDY FORUM FELLOW, HIRED MID-2019, CONTINUED THROUGH 2020. THE KENNEDY FORUM AND STEINBERG INSTITUTE CONTINUED TO HOST LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGS FOR MORE THAN 50 LEGISLATIVE STAFF AND ADVOCATES ON A LANDMARK MENTAL HEALTH DECISION WIT V. UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FROM THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA AND THE NEED TO AMEND CALIFORNIA LAW BASED ON THE COURT'S FINDINGS. IN 2020, THE KENNEDY FORUM AND STEINBERG INSTITUTE CONVENED A COALITION OF MORE THAN 50 SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE SENATE BILL 855, WHICH AMENDED CALIFORNIA'S MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT, TO REQUIRE INSURERS REGULATED BY CALIFORNIA TO FOLLOW GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE. SB 855 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IN SEPTEMBER 2020. THE LAW TOOK EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2021.THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY IN THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY (KSCMHE) WORKS TO ENSURE THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS THROUGH TARGETED EFFORTS TO AGGREGATE AND ELEVATE PARITY IMPLEMENTATION WORK, RESEARCH, AND ENGAGEMENT OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS. 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: -PARITY: - MENTAL HEALTH PARITY SCORECARDS. BUILDING ON THE MOMENTUM FROM TWO REPORTS AND 50 STATE REPORT CARDS EVALUATING STATES PARITY STATUTES, KSCMHE STAFF CONTINUED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OVER A DOZEN STATES THAT REQUESTED DATA ON THEIR SCORES AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. STAFF ALSO CONTINUED TO CONDUCT FURTHER LEGAL EPIDEMIOLOGY ANALYSIS OF STATE PARITY LAWS. -DEVELOPING HEALTH LEADERS: - COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVANCED BY MEDICAL PRACTICE SUPERSTARS (CHAMPS). CHAMPS IS A YEAR-LONG TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP THAT EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS EARLY/MID-CAREER PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS PRACTICING IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA AND RURAL GEORGIA WHO ARE IN EMERGING LEADERSHIP ROLES TO LEAD CHANGE WITHIN THEIR INSTITUTIONS, LARGER SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENTS, AND AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. FELLOWS ARE TRAINED IN HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY. - CONTINUATION OF SMART AND SECURE CHILDREN QUALITY PARENTING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SSC). SSC IS A UNIQUE PARENT LEADERSHIP MODEL, DESIGNED WITH AND FOR MEMBERS OF DISPARATE TARGETED COMMUNITIES, AS A FRAMEWORK TO REDUCE AND ELIMINATE HEALTH INEQUITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD. IT HELPS TO ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH BY TRAINING AND EMPLOYING PARENTS TO LEAD PARENTING EDUCATION SESSIONS THAT TRANSFORM PARENTING CULTURE AND PROVIDE COMMUNAL SOCIAL SUPPORT. THE MODEL HAS RESULTED IN THE TRAINING OF HUNDREDS OF PARENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXCEPTIONAL CADRE OF PARENT LEADERS AND MENTORS. COMMUNITIES SERVED REPRESENT AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT HEALTH DISPARITIES AND SOCIOECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE. SSC WAS EXPANDED IN GEORGIA AND HAS BEEN REPLICATED IN OVER A DOZEN OTHER STATES AS PART OF A NIH-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT. INTERNATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH ORGANIZATION/ONE MIND INSTITUTE - THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO SUPPORT IMHRO/OMI IN ITS DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS IN THE AREA OF BRAIN SCIENCE. THE KENNEDY FORUM VIEWS RESEARCH AND OPEN SCIENCE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WE NEED. THROUGH THE KENNEDY FORUM'S PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE MIND, DISCOVERIES IN BRAIN HEALTH-GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF LARGE-SCALE, OPEN-SCIENCE RESEARCH-HAVE BEEN AUGMENTED.ONE MIND INITIATIVE AT WORK - IN 2020, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ONE MIND INSTITUTE TO FURTHER DEVELOP A COALITION OF BUSINESS LEADERS WITH THE GOAL OF TRANSFORMING APPROACHES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION IN THE WORKPLACE.CENTER FOR HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY, PHILANTHROPIC GUIDE - THE KENNEDY FORUM PARTNERED WITH THE CENTER FOR HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND PROVIDED IN-KIND SUPPORT FOR THE LAUNCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST PHILANTHROPIC GUIDE TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. THE INAUGURAL GUIDE, RELEASED IN EARLY 2020, EDUCATES PHILANTHROPISTS BY DEFINING A NEED; OUTLINING THE ROLE OF STIGMA, MISINFORMATION, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE; AND MAKING THE CASE FOR INCREASED PHILANTHROPY AROUND THESE ISSUES.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $863.2K

  • Program 2 [2020]

    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION:GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO PROMOTE AND UPDATE THE FIVE KEY PUBLIC PILLARS IT DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT: (CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT-GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS) PILLAR 1: PARITY COMPLIANCE/PAYER ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR 2: PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND QUALITY PILLAR 3: INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE PILLAR 4: TECHNOLOGY - ASSESSMENT/TREATMENT TOOLS AND ENTERPRISE-WIDE SOLUTIONS PILLAR 5: BRAIN HEALTH & FITNESSTHESE INTERLOCKING PILLARS MUST ALL BE ADDRESSED TO IMPROVE CLINICAL AND FINANCIAL OUTCOMES, AND BUILD THE SYSTEM WE NEED. THE KENNEDY FORUM WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE STRATEGIC PROGRAMS AND POLICIES-AND UNITE KEY STAKEHOLDERS-TO SPARK CHANGE.THROUGHOUT 2020, FORMER CONGRESSMAN PATRICK J. KENNEDY, ON BEHALF OF THE KENNEDY FORUM, DELIVERED KEYNOTE SPEECHES, HELD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS, AND PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AT OVER 50 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS. THE PURPOSE OF VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE EVENTS WAS TO PROMOTE POLICY PRIORITIES DEVELOPED AND ADVOCATED FOR BY THE KENNEDY FORUM. IN ADDITION, CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY WAS INTERVIEWED DOZENS OF TIMES IN 2020 ON COVID AND MENTAL HEALTH. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED: -LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING ON PARITY, SACRAMENTO, CA -MENTAL HEALTH ROUNDTABLE, US CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, DC -PASTEUR FOUNDATION GALA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK -FACEBOOK LIVE WITH PATRICK J. KENNEDY, FIRST LADY OF NEW YORK CITY CHIRLANE MCCRAY AND KENNETH ROSENBERG, MD -ALEXANDRIA SUMMIT/DUKE MARGOLIS WEBINAR: DEVELOPING A THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE TO COVID-19 -SAMUEL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION: THE RIGHT TO BELONG -320 FESTIVAL PANEL: "CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH" -FACEBOOK LIVE WITH ANGELA WILLIAMS, EASTERSEALS -NEVER ALONE SUMMIT, HOSTED BY THE CHOPRA FOUNDATION AND JOHN W. BRICK MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION -STRONGER THAN YOU THINK: A NATIONAL LIVE STREAM EVENT -NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS WEBINAR -ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE HEARING: HIGH ANXIETY AND STRESS: LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH DURING CRISIS -MOBILIZE RECOVERY 2020 -NACBH PUBLIC POLICY WEBINAR SERIES - CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH -PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION PODCAST WITH ELIZABETH VARGAS -PEACE ONE DAY, PANEL 'MENTAL HEALTH/PEACE OF MIND -HEALTH SESSION - A COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSION WITH BORN THIS WAY, STEVE FUND, TREVOR PROJECT & THE KENNEDY FORUM -MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO'S 38TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE GALA -ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION HEALTH POLICY FELLOWS AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HOST A PANEL DISCUSSION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY -MUSIC AND MIND LIVE WITH RENEE FLEMING: THE IMPACT OF MUSIC ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION -MAKE A DIFFERENCE SUMMIT US IN ASSOCIATION WITH MINDSHARE PARTNERS -STEVE FUND-HARVARD CHAN FORUM WEBINAR PROGRAM: INNOVATING IN THE WORKPLACE: SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR DURING COVID-19 AND BEYOND -ILLINOIS COURT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: HOW MENTAL ILLNESS AND TRAUMA AFFECT QUALITY OF LIFE -7TH ANNUAL ABHW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY SUMMIT -BECK INSTITUTE EXCELLENCE SUMMIT -CARTER CENTER VIRTUAL CONVERSATION EVENT HONORING ROSALYNN CARTER -THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCING EARLY PSYCHOSIS CARE IN THE UNITED STATES ADDRESSING INEQUITIES - RACE, CULTURE, AND COVID; STANFORD DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES -THE KENNEDY FORUM WEBINAR: GAME CHANGER: IMPLICATIONS OF THE WIT V. UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RULINGIN ADDITION TO THE EVENTS ABOVE, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KENNEDY FORUM WERE INVITED TO COLLABORATE AND STRATEGIZE WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION POLICY, INCLUDING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, WORLD BANK, WELL BEING TRUST, TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH, MILKEN INSTITUTE, ACTION ALLIANCE US COVID 19 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION NATIONAL RESPONSE EFFORT (CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY CO-CHAIRS WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. JOSHUA GORDON), BIPARTISAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION TASK FORCE (CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY SERVES AS CO-CHAIR WITH JOHN E. SUNUNU, FORMER U.S. SENATOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE), CEO HUDDLE, INSEPARABLE, ALEXANDRIA SUMMIT - DUKE MARGOLIS HEALTHCARE POLICY WORK GROUP AND OTHERS. PATRICK J. KENNEDY ALSO PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS PRESS INTERVIEWS WITH MSNBC, THE FREEDOM WRITERS FORUM, POLITICO, AP, AND OTHERS.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO BE REPRESENTED ON RELEVANT COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, INCLUDING: -ADVISORY COUNCIL, WELL BEING TRUST (WBT), A NATIONAL FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE NATION. LED BY CLINICAL, COMMUNITY, AND POLICY INNOVATORS, WELL BEING TRUST BRINGS AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION ISSUES, WHILE PRIORITIZING AN UPSTREAM FOCUS ON RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEING IN COMMUNITIES. -STEERING COMMITTEE, WELL BEING WORKING GROUP (LED BY TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH), WHICH MEETS ONCE A MONTH TO DEFINE POLICY PRIORITIES FOR UPSTREAM PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND SPOTLIGHT NEW STUDIES AND INITIATIVES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. -EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVANCING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. -BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER (BPC) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION TASK FORCE - THIS GROUP INCLUDES FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS, FORMER FEDERAL APPOINTEES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERTS, AND MORE. THE TASK FORCE WORKS CLOSELY WITH AN ADVISORY GROUP OF EXPERTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND ADVOCATES, WHICH MEET REGULARLY TO INFORM POLICY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION. THE TASK FORCE STRIVES TO BUILD UPON A 2019 BPC REPORT DISCUSSING BIPARTISAN POLICY OPTIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO THE INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY SERVES AS CO-CHAIR ALONGSIDE JOHN E. SUNUNU, FORMER U.S. SENATOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. -CEO HUDDLE - THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF CEOS FROM NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A UNIFIED VISION FOR TRANSFORMING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. -NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION'S MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION NATIONAL RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (NATIONAL RESPONSE) - CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY CO-CHAIRS THIS EFFORT WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. JOSHUA GORDON. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION (ACTION ALLIANCE) BROUGHT TOGETHER DIVERSE NATIONAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND LEAD A COORDINATED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PRIORITIES INCLUDE INCREASING ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN SPECIALTY AND PRIMARY CARE, INCREASING THE USE OF NON-PUNITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND MORE.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $716K

  • Program 3 [2020]

    PARITY IMPLEMENTATION:THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (MHPAEA OR PARITY LAW) PROMISED EQUITY IN THE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, BUT YEARS LATER THE LAW IS STILL NOT PROPERLY ENFORCED AND MANY AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BE DENIED CARE.(CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARITY IMPLEMENTATION AND EDUCATION)IN 2020, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED WORKING WITH POLICYMAKERS AND REGULATORS TO FULLY ENFORCE THE PARITY LAW; AND WORKED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF PARITY AND RIGHT OF APPEALS. AS PART OF ITS PARITY EDUCATION AND APPEALS RIGHTS EFFORTS, THE KENNEDY FORUM RELEASED A NEW HEALTH INSURANCE APPEALS GUIDE WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS THAT DESCRIBES PATIENTS' RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW AND APPEALS STRATEGIES WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE A DENIAL OF CARE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT PARITY TRACK, A CUSTOM WEBSITE PLATFORM, THAT LOOKS AT IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE LENSES OF LEGISLATION, REGULATION, AND LITIGATION. EACH STATE'S PROGRESS IS VISUALIZED ON THE WEBSITE, AND MODEL LEGISLATION WAS DEVELOPED TO AID STATE POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES.IN 2017, THE KENNEDY FORUM DEVELOPED A RESOURCE GUIDE "NAVIGATING THE NEW FRONTIER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION: A GUIDE FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS." THE GUIDE OUTLINES WHAT EACH MEMBER CAN DO TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE, REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR COMMITTEE, TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO CARE, AND IMPROVE THE WAY OUR SOCIETY APPROACHES MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION OUTSIDE OF CLINICAL SETTINGS. IN 2019 AND 2020, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH WELL BEING TRUST TO UPDATE AND AUGMENT AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE POLICY GUIDE, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN EARLY 2020. THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT PARITYREGISTRY.ORG, A WEBSITE WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN LEARN TO FILE APPEALS FOR UNLAWFUL DENIALS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT COVERAGE; REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEIR HEALTH PLANS; FIND CONTACT INFO FOR CONSUMER ADVOCATES, HEALTH PLANS, AND STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORS; AND MORE. DATA FROM THE SITE IS USED TO HELP SHAPE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND INFLUENCE FUTURE LEGISLATION.IN 2018, THE KENNEDY FORUM CREATED A CONSUMER AND PROVIDER FACING COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AND WEBSITE-DONTDENYME.ORG-IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT (MHPAEA) OF 2008. IN 2020, THIS CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES ABOUT PATIENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW AND CONNECT THEM WITH ESSENTIAL APPEALS GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES (THROUGH PARITYREGISTRY.ORG). CONSUMERS CAN DOWNLOAD HELPFUL FACT SHEETS AND INFOGRAPHICS. PROVIDERS CAN DOWNLOAD PRINT-READY BROCHURES AND POSTERS FOR THEIR OFFICES TO HELP INFORM PATIENTS OF PARITY RIGHTS AND DO THEIR PART TO STOP DISCRIMINATORY INSURANCE DENIALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. ADVOCATES CAN DOWNLOAD A LETTER TEMPLATE TO EDUCATE EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING HEALTH PLANS. UNIONS CAN DOWNLOAD AN ISSUE BRIEF EXPLAINING HOW TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THEIR MEMBERS. TWENTY-NINE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED THE CAMPAIGN TO DATE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY DIRECTORS; LEGAL ACTION CENTER; THE CARTER CENTER; AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE; NAMI; WELL BEING TRUST; MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA; PARITY IMPLEMENTATION COALITION; NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; SHATTERPROOF; FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY; AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION; SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION; FACING ADDICTION; PEG'S FOUNDATION; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE; KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY; CENTER ON ADDICTION; PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS; AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION; INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION; PROJECT HEAL; DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; COMMUNITY CATALYST; AMERICAN MENTAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATION; AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY; TREATMENT ADVOCACY CENTER; AND FOUNTAIN HOUSE.EACH MONTH, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE A SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR PARTNERS DEVELOPED AROUND VARIOUS HOLIDAYS AND/OR OBSERVANCES-IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE TIMELY DON'T DENY ME PROMOTIONS WITH FOLLOWERS, MEMBERS, AND SUPPORTERS. THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MANY MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS, INCLUDING USA TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, CNN, AND MORE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO CONVENE A LEGAL TASK FORCE, CONSISTING OF LAWYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TO DISCUSS AND DISSEMINATE DECIDED AND ACTIVE CASES INVOLVING PARITY AND/OR HEALTH EQUITY, AS WELL AS REVIEW ATTORNEYS GENERAL PRESSURES ON INSURERS TO SECURE PARITY AND DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE PARITY LAW. THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO CONVENE THE STATE PARITY LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STATES' ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT AND RELATED STATE-BASED LAWS. MORE THAN 200 NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WORKGROUP MEMBERS SHARE INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES TO FURTHER EFFORTS IN THEIR STATES. AS PART OF ITS STATE-BASED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE PARITY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM HAS DEVELOPED MODEL STATE LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS BEEN ENACTED BY NEARLY 20 STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO IMPROVE HEALTH PLANS' PARITY COMPLIANCE REPORTING. THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO DEVELOPED THE JIM RAMSTAD MODEL STATE LEGISLATION TO ADVANCE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY BY REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE BASED OFF OF SB 855 IN CALIFORNIA. THE MODEL LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY 40 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND WAS ENACTED IN 2020 IN ILLINOIS AND OREGON.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $840.8K