Press Release - Child Mental Health Treatment Act Signed
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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009
CONTACTS:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
Megan Castle, 303.866.6386, megan.castle@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER SIGNS CHILD MENTAL HEALTH ACT
Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law Senate Bill 30, legislation that extends the Child Mental Health Treatment Act for another 10 years. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Moe Keller and Rep. Sue Schafer. Keller was one of the authors of the original act in 1999.
"This legislation allows families whose children have significant mental health needs to continue to access services and stay together," Gov. Ritter said. "SB 30 provides a safety net for at-risk families by offering critical care to some of Colorado's most vulnerable children."
Prior to the Child Mental Health Treatment Act, families were forced to obtain services through the child welfare and court systems. In some cases, they had to give up custody of their children to obtain state-funded mental health assistance for their children. By re-authorizing the Act, SB 30 enables families to obtain services for their children and provides financial assistance for services not covered by other sources.
"This measure puts families first and allows appropriate supports and mental health services to achieve the goal of keeping them together," said First Lady Jeannie Ritter, who has helped increase awareness about mental health issues across the state.
"I am proud to see Gov. Ritter signing this bill into law today," Sen. Keller said. "Too often the most vulnerable in our communities are forgotten. We cannot allow this to happen and SB 30 will make sure that children who have mental illness are cared for and helped. We can do no less."
"The new Child Mental Health Treatment Act will provide early mental health services for children and their families," Rep. Schafer said. "These children will be treated by professional counselors and are likely to become productive citizens in school and society rather than becoming a risk to our communities."
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