LINDA CRAWFORD

Workforce Development for substance abuse counselors and other health professionals including career development programs through authorizing and appropriatons bills. Clinical skills training for treatment of PTSD and substance abuse issues with returning Veterans.

Expansion of housing for homeless for individuals with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, HIV/AIDS, returning offenders to their communities and veterans.

Supporting increased funding in the budget for overall descretionary health programs to increase funds for substance abuse and mental health prevention, treatment, and research capacity. Department of Health and Human Services to expand funding to children for treatment in drug abuse families and the expansion of the SAMHSA and NIDA appropriations for increased treatment capacity and outcomes research. Department of Homeland Security to to increase appropriatons for pregnant women and children for substance abuse treatment. Supporting of funding for housing for homeless veterans, offenders returning to their communities and individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders. Department of Justice Appropriatons Bill to expand funding for the RSAT, Byrne,and Drug Courts programs.

Elimination of the Institutions of Mental Disease exclusion in Medicaid.

HR 1704/S1934 Second Chance Act of 2006 pertaining to increasing treatment and prevention services for substance abusing offenders and to provide family support and treatment programs for women offenders and their children.

NIH Reform Act HR6164 and expanding opportunity and resources to increase research activities for substance abuse and mental health treatment effectiveness.

Issues related to expanding insurance parity to the diseases of substance use disorder and mental health disorders. HR 1402

Policy issues relating to creating a seamless transition for returning veterans and their families and coordination of federal agencies. Issues of expanding treatment and community clinical training for community providers working with returning veterans.

Issues pertaining to expanding capacity for treatment and clinical training for returning veterans through community providers. Issues pertaining to expanding a seamless transition for returning veterans to all agencies related to health and training.

Ryan White Care Act Amendments of 2006; STOP Underage Drinking, Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Meth Act/Child and Family Services Improvement Act S3525; NIH Reform Act HR 6164; and opportunities to expand training for ADA counselors. Comments on ONDCP national plan. Stafford Act changes to include substance abuse counselors as first responders in emergencies. Meth bills and other alcohol and drug bills relating to treatment effectiveness and expanding prevention and treatment capacity. IOM Quality Care Report on Behavioral Health: S 3055 Family-based Meth Treatment Act of 2006;

Issues and policy pertaining to creating a seamless transition for returning veterans and their families and requiring linkage between federal agencies including DOD, VA, HUD, DOL, and HHS for behavioral health Issues and pertaining to increasing services for mental health and substance abuse treatment for returning veterans. Coordination on the National Behavioral Health Conference in partnership with SAMHSA.

Issues and policy pertaining to Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance for victims of Katrina and Rita for rebuilding facilities and increasing substance abuse and mental health services for affected areas and those communities and States that received displaced persons from the storms.

Issues related to creating insurance parity for substance abuse and mental health coverage. Support of the IOM Report on coverage for substance abuse and mental health treatment.