Abbie Kopf | Page 7 | The Kennedy Forum

Special Announcements: David Lloyd Named Chief Policy Officer

David Lloyd, who previously served as Senior Policy Advisor, will now oversee all policy efforts at The Kennedy Forum, including the expansion of strategic state and federal initiatives. His tireless work advancing mental health parity has already improved access to care for millions of Americans. The Forum team congratulates David and looks forward to supporting him in this … Continued

Q&A with David Lloyd, Chief Policy Officer of The Kennedy Forum

Rebecca Bagley, who was named Chief Executive Officer of The Kennedy Forum in April 2022, recently promoted David Lloyd to Chief Policy Officer in recognition of his tremendous efforts to advance legislative priorities of the nonprofit. With David at the helm of a growing policy team, The Forum is now poised to extend its reach … Continued

Youth Mental Health Spotlight: Parents Alone Can’t Stop Social Media’s Harm to Youth

In her latest op-ed for NJ.com, Amy Kennedy explains why Congress mustact now to protect kids from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other social media giants. “The double whammy of addiction potential and exposure to dangerous content can threaten even the most secure parent/child attachments…I’m hopeful that one day, we’ll find a way to strike a healthy balance … Continued

Policy Pulse: Parity analyses, ACEs, PTSD disability benefits, and more

Updates & Resources from Our Policy Team The Kennedy Forum joined 49 other organizations in supporting the Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act of 2022 sponsored by Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The legislation would require most health plans to submit the parity compliance analyses they must perform … Continued

Youth Mental Health Spotlight: Amy Kennedy advises on youth mental health initiative for nation’s governors

Amy Kennedy Advises Governor Phil Murphy as He Launches His National Governor Association Chair’s Initiative Focused on Youth Mental Health The Kennedy Forum, under Amy’s leadership, recently advised New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on his new Initiative as Incoming Chair of the National Governor’s Association (NGA): “Strengthening Youth Mental Health.” The four pillars of the Initiative—Prevention and Resilience Building, … Continued

Parity bolsters ADA protections of Americans with mental illness; here’s how

By Patrick J. Kennedy In Olmstead v. L.C. (June 1999), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities, including those with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), violates the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects an individual’s right to live, work, socialize, be educated, experience cultural enrichment, and enjoy family life in … Continued

Amy Kennedy Advises Governor Phil Murphy as He Launches His National Governors Association Chair’s Initiative Focused on Youth Mental Health

The Kennedy Forum, under Amy’s leadership, recently advised New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on his new Initiative as Incoming Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA): “Strengthening Youth Mental Health.” The four pillars of the Initiative—Prevention and Resilience Building, Increasing Awareness and Reducing Stigma, Access and Affordability of Quality Treatment and Care, and Caregiver and Education Training and Support—align … Continued

Policy Pulse: Are we ready for 988?

The Promise of 988 Is Real. Can States Like California Set the Bar? Tomorrow, the new 988 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies goes live across the country. Approximately one year ago, The Kennedy Forum shared an analysis of state legislative action needed to support 988 by the national go-live date. At the time, … Continued

The promise of 988 is real. Can states like California set the bar?

Tomorrow, the new 988 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies goes live across the country. Approximately one year ago, The Kennedy Forum shared an analysis of state legislative action needed to support 988 by the national go-live date. At the time, only Colorado, Nevada, and Washington had passed adequate legislation to facilitate … Continued