Advocacy Committee
Advocacy Committee Membership
- Valera Hudson, MD; Chair, Augusta
- Kathryn Cheek, MD; Columbus
- Natalie Lane, MD; Augusta
- Barbara Menchan, MD; Columbus
- Heather Newsome, MD; Savannah
- Rebecca Reamy, MD; Columbus
- Dan Salinas, MD; Atlanta
Advocacy Committee Goals
| Goal Description | Goal Objectives |
| – Obtain grant support to implement a statewide program to provide training to enhance the skills of pediatric providers throughout GA in the behavioral and mental health care of their patients. | – Continue to work with Resilient Georgia to identify grant support for REACH PPP training to provide education to pediatric providers on diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health problems in children – Improve access to mental health care by providing care where children feel safe and have an established relationship i.e., the Medical Home |
| – Obtain support for a statewide program to expand access to behavioral and mental health providers within the primary care medical home | – Work with Resilient GA and other state agencies and leaders to advocate for support of a model of care that embeds mental health providers (Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker, etc.) within the pediatric medical home – Alleviate the financial impact for practices unable to afford this on their own – Support pediatric providers by developing efficient models for referral for patients with more severe problems |