Dear CAL-ACAP Members,
Welcome to a new year. I am honored and excited to serve as California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s 2023-2025 President. I am humbled to be joined by our distinguished Executive Council: Dr. Ijeoma Ijeaku (President-Elect & Co-Chair of the Committee for Anti-Racism and Equity), Dr. Rishi Parikh (Secretary/Treasurer), and our esteemed immediate Past-President, Dr. Alejandra Postlewaite. I am pleased to extend my warmest welcome to you as a valued member of CAL-ACAP.
As we step into the next phase of the post COVID-19 Pandemic, there is much work to be done in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis. Youth have been particularly vulnerable during this time as evident by the alarming rates of suicide in adolescent girls. In addition, many, if not most, of our youth now fear for their lives as firearms is the leading cause of death among children in the United States.
Since 1983, CAL-ACAP has worked with our regional partners throughout the state to provide advocacy through the legislative process. Over the years, our group has helped sponsor, support, and create bills that directly affect the lives of the youth we serve and how we, as child and adolescent psychiatrist, provide those services. CAL-ACAP has been committed to Early Career Psychiatrist and Members in Training outreach through awarding education funds and increasing legislative awareness with our yearly spring and fall advocacy events. It is through these efforts by the Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists that came before us that has shaped how we serve California’s youth today.
As we build on the 40-year legacy of CAL-ACAP’s past and create a foundation for the future, it is imperative that we continue to collaborate with each as we achieve our goals in advocating for our youth. Our first goal for CAL-ACAP, is to continue to strengthen our legislative success.
Specifically, our goal is to improve access to care for children and adolescents through the scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our second goal is to support the infrastructure of CAL-ACAP through mentorship of early career psychiatrists and members in-training. Finally, we intend to enhance our website and social media presence to increase our outreach to our members, early career Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Members in-Training, allies, and members of the community. With your collaboration we can achieve our shared goals.
I want to thank you for your membership and support. I look forward to working with the 4 Regional Organizations of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ad HOC members, GAA Committee, Early Career Representatives, and our Members in Training. Together, we will work with our new CARE committee to review and sponsor more equitable and anti-racist legislation to benefit all of those who seek care within California. Lastly, we cannot forget the impact we can make on modern legislation to address the ongoing mental health crisis in our youth.
Sincerely,
Teresa Frausto, MD
President, CALACAP