Mental Health Leadership Initiative Inc

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PARTNERSHIPS: KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS - THE KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS, LLC, (TKFI), FORMALIZED IN 2016, IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC (A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR TAX PURPOSES) OF MHLI. FOUNDED BY ILLINOIS CIVIC LEADERS AND PATRICK J. KENNEDY, TKFI WORKS TO ADVANCE THE KENNEDY FORUM MISSION IN ILLINOIS. TKFI IS SUPPORTED BY A STRONG, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY VISIBLE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARTNERSHIPS)PRIORITIES INCLUDE: -FIGHTING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT COMMUNICATIONS; -ENHANCING THE UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH AND EDUCATION; AND -DEVELOPING STRONG STATE POLICY RESPONSES TO MHSUD PARITY AND EQUITY WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HAVING ILLINOIS SERVE AS A MODEL PARITY STATE.IN 2021, TKFI DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO, AND THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -A SEAT AT THE TABLE: TKFI ENGAGED A DIVERSE GROUP OF ILLINOISANS IN THE "A SEAT AT THE TABLE" INITIATIVE, DESIGNED TO ADVANCE DISCUSSIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN ORDER TO REDUCE STIGMA. THE PROGRAM HAD GREAT SUCCESS, WITH OVER 150 CONVERSATIONS TOUCHING WELL OVER 2,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY AND STATE - IN OVER 60 ZIP CODES. IN ADDITION, A FACEBOOK GROUP WAS CREATED TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND HOSTS, PROVIDING TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONVERSATIONS AND IDEAS FOR WAYS TO STAY ENGAGED AFTER EACH CONVERSATION. -SPOTLIGHT EVENT: TKFI CREATED A SERIES OF VIRTUAL PANELS DISCUSSING RELEVANT MENTAL HEALTH TOPICS. THESE VIDEOS ADDRESSED STIGMA, RACIAL EQUITY, MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE, BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMPACTS, INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA, AND LIVING AUTHENTICALLY. -MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: TKFI DELIVERED FREE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING TO NEARLY 5,000 COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE CHICAGOLAND AREA. THE TRAININGS INCLUDED INFORMATION ABOUT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, WHERE TO FIND RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN AND HOW TO CONTACT A SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE OFFICER IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. -POLICY: THANKS IN PART TO TKFI'S LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY, ILLINOIS ENACTED STRONG LEGISLATION, REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS AND MEDICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS TO COVER MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO AIDED STATE GOVERNMENT IN FULLY IMPLEMENTING THE PARITY LAW WHILE EDUCATING CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW.TKFI RAISED $714,510 IN 2021 IN SUPPORT OF ITS INITIATIVES.TKFI EVENTS INCLUDED: QUARTER 1: JANUARY - MARCH 2021: JANUARY 18, 2021 - SHOCKING INJUSTICES: MENTAL HEALTHCARE & BLACK AMERICANS FEBRUARY 10, 2021 - THE THINGS WE DON'T SAY FEBRUARY 24, 2021 - FORUM ON MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MARCH 17, 2021 - UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING THE EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF BLACK CHILDREN MARCH 30, 2021 - A CRITICAL CONVERSATION: MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR BLACK COMMUNITIES QUARTER 2: APRIL - JUNE 2021: JUNE 7, 2021 - THE WAY FORWARD: A DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE QUARTER 3: JULY - SEPTEMBER 2021: JULY 15, 2021 - BEYOND EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: HOW ORGANIZATIONS CAN TAKE CARE OF THOSE, TAKING CARE OF OTHERS AUGUST 30, 2021 - BACK TO SCHOOL: THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND EDUCATION COINCIDED WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. QUARTER 4: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2021: OCTOBER 6, 2021 - OUR DIGITAL RECKONING: A DEEP-DIVE INTO MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MEDIA OCTOBER 6, 2021 - GENERATION PUSH NOTIFICATION: THE IMPACT OF EVER-PRESENT TECH ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING OCTOBER 6, 2021 - BARRIER-FREE CARE: HOW THE DIGITAL ERA HARNESSES ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY TO END MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA OCTOBER 6, 2021 - GAMING THE SYSTEM: AN INFLUENCER'S APPROACH TO PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH CARE OCTOBER 6, 2021 - CONFRONTING YOUR CHAOS AND USING YOUR PLATFORM FOR CHANGE OCTOBER 6, 2021 - SPEAKING YOUR TRUTH: COURAGE AND AUTHENTICITY IN THE FACE OF ONLINE (AND OFFLINE) MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA OCTOBER 6, 2021 - SEPARATING RAVEN FROM THE HULK: ONE OLYMPIAN'S STORY ABOUT STRENGTH IN ALL FORMS OCTOBER 6, 2021 - THE WEIGHT OF GOLD: THE PURSUIT OF OLYMPIC DREAMS AND THE FALLOUT OCTOBER 6, 2021 - OUR WORDS MATTER: THE ROLE OF JOURNALISTS IN CREATING SAFE, HUMAN-CENTERED STORIES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH THE KENNEDY FORUM'S CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE - THE KENNEDY FORUM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE, MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT AND INSURER COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARITY LAWS. AFTER THE 2020 ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING STATE-REGULATED COMMERCIAL HEALTH PLANS TO MAKE COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM, STEINBERG INSTITUTE, AND COALITION MEMBERS WORKED WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGED HEALTH CARE TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW.THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE AND OTHER ADVOCATES ON LEGISLATION TO SUCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT 988, THE NEW NATIONWIDE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE IN CALIFORNIA. THIS LEGISLATION PASSED THE ASSEMBLY IN 2021. THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY IN THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - COFOUNDED BY PATRICK KENNEDY AND DR. DAVID SATCHER, THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY (KSCMHE) WORKS TO ENSURE THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS THROUGH TARGETED EFFORTS TO AGGREGATE AND ELEVATE PARITY IMPLEMENTATION WORK, RESEARCH, AND ENGAGEMENT OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS.2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: KSCMHE PROGRAMING - UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP, KSCMHE LAUNCHED MULITPLE PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES THAT TARGET THE 3 PILLARS OF KSCMHE: RESEARCH, POLICY, AND CONVENING LEADERSHIP. KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDED: -RESEARCH: - THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF MENTAL HEALTH INEQUITIES IN THE USA: FOR DECADES, RESEARCHERS AND LEGISLATORS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ASSESS THE BURDEN THAT MENTAL ILLNESS HAS ON OUR ECONOMY. THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (SHLI), THE FARLEY HEALTH POLICY CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, AND THE ROBERT GRAHAM CENTER PARTNERED TO ASSESS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH DATA SETS THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS. THE RESULTS WERE COMPLEMENTED BY A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF CASE STUDIES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO INFORM A FINAL REPORT. THIS REPORT ALSO INCLUDED FEEDBACK AND INPUT FROM THE NATIONAL ADVISORY PANEL OF LEADING, INTERSECTIONAL EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION:GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ITS SIX KEY PILLARS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY: (CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT-GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS) PILLAR 1: PARITY COMPLIANCE/PAYER ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR 2: PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND QUALITY PILLAR 3: INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE PILLAR 4: TECHNOLOGY - ASSESSMENT/TREATMENT TOOLS AND ENTERPRISE-WIDE SOLUTIONS PILLAR 5: BRAIN HEALTH & FITNESS PILLAR 6: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTHTHESE INTERLOCKING PILLARS MUST ALL BE ADDRESSED TO IMPROVE CLINICAL AND FINANCIAL OUTCOMES AND BUILD THE SYSTEM WE NEED. THE KENNEDY FORUM WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE STRATEGIC PROGRAMS AND POLICIES-AND UNITE KEY STAKEHOLDERS-TO SPARK CHANGE.THROUGHOUT 2021, FORMER CONGRESSMAN PATRICK J. KENNEDY, ON BEHALF OF THE KENNEDY FORUM, DELIVERED KEYNOTE SPEECHES, HELD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS, AND PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AT OVER TWO DOZEN EVENTS. THE PURPOSE OF VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE EVENTS WAS TO PROMOTE POLICY PRIORITIES DEVELOPED AND ADVOCATED FOR BY THE KENNEDY FORUM. IN ADDITION, CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY WAS INTERVIEWED ON COVID, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE BY TIME MAGAZINE, TOWN AND COUNTRY, NPR, AND MANY OTHER OUTLETS.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO BE REPRESENTED ON RELEVANT COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, INCLUDING: -ADVISORY COUNCIL- WELL BEING TRUST (WBT), A NATIONAL FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE NATION. LED BY CLINICAL, COMMUNITY, AND POLICY INNOVATORS, WELL BEING TRUST BRINGS AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION ISSUES, WHILE PRIORITIZING AN UPSTREAM FOCUS ON RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEING IN COMMUNITIES. -STEERING COMMITTEE- WELL BEING WORKING GROUP (LED BY TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH), WHICH MEETS TO DEFINE POLICY PRIORITIES FOR UPSTREAM PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND SPOTLIGHT NEW STUDIES AND INITIATIVES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. -EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER- NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVANCING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. -BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER (BPC) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION TASK FORCE --- THIS GROUP INCLUDES FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS, FORMER FEDERAL APPOINTEES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERTS, AND MORE. THE TASK FORCE WORKS CLOSELY WITH AN ADVISORY GROUP OF EXPERTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND ADVOCATES, WHICH MEET REGULARLY TO INFORM POLICY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION. THE TASK FORCE STRIVES TO BUILD UPON A 2019 BPC REPORT DISCUSSING BIPARTISAN POLICY OPTIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO THE INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY SERVES AS CO-CHAIR ALONGSIDE JOHN E. SUNUNU, FORMER U.S. SENATOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. -CEO ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH--- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF CEOS FROM NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A UNIFIED VISION FOR TRANSFORMING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. -NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION'S MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION NATIONAL RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (NATIONAL RESPONSE) --- CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY CO-CHAIRS THIS EFFORT WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. JOSHUA GORDON. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION (ACTION ALLIANCE) BROUGHT TOGETHER DIVERSE NATIONAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND LEAD A COORDINATED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PRIORITIES INCLUDE INCREASING ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN SPECIALTY AND PRIMARY CARE, INCREASING THE USE OF NON-PUNITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND MORE. -INSEPERABLE'S HOPEFUL FUTURES CAMPAIGN --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF YOUTH HEALTH AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND THINK TANKS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO MOVE FORWARD SCHOOL AND YOUTH-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH POLICY SOLUTIONS AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. -NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS' REIMAGINE CRISIS AND 988 STATE WORKING GROUPS --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF STATE AND FEDERAL ADVOCATES PUSHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CRISIS REFORM THROUGH THE 988 SYSTEM OF CRISIS CARE.

PARITY IMPLEMENTATION:THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (MHPAEA OR PARITY LAW) PROMISED EQUITY IN THE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, BUT YEARS LATER THE LAW IS STILL NOT PROPERLY ENFORCED AND MANY AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BE DENIED CARE.(CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARITY IMPLEMENTATION AND EDUCATION)IN 2021, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED WORKING WITH POLICYMAKERS AND REGULATORS TO FULLY ENFORCE THE PARITY LAW; AND WORKED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF PARITY AND RIGHT OF APPEALS. THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO WORKED WITH LAWMAKERS ON LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN FEDERAL REGULATORS' POWERS TO ENFORCE THE PARITY LAW AND TO EXPAND THE PARITY ACT'S RULES TO ADDITIONAL TYPES OF HEALTH COVERAGE, INCLUDING MEDICARE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT PARITY TRACK, A CUSTOM WEBSITE PLATFORM, THAT LOOKS AT IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE LENSES OF LEGISLATION, REGULATION, AND LITIGATION. EACH STATE'S PROGRESS IS VISUALIZED ON THE WEBSITE, AND MODEL LEGISLATION WAS DEVELOPED TO AID STATE POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT PARITYREGISTRY.ORG, A WEBSITE WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN LEARN TO FILE APPEALS FOR UNLAWFUL DENIALS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT COVERAGE; REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEIR HEALTH PLANS; FIND CONTACT INFO FOR CONSUMER ADVOCATES, HEALTH PLANS, AND STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORS; AND MORE. DATA FROM THE SITE IS USED TO HELP SHAPE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND INFLUENCE FUTURE LEGISLATION. IN 2018, THE KENNEDY FORUM CREATED A CONSUMER AND PROVIDER FACING COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AND WEBSITE-DONTDENYME.ORG-IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT (MHPAEA) OF 2008. IN 2021, THIS CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES ABOUT PATIENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW AND CONNECT THEM WITH ESSENTIAL APPEALS GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES (THROUGH PARITYREGISTRY.ORG). CONSUMERS CAN DOWNLOAD HELPFUL FACT SHEETS AND INFOGRAPHICS. PROVIDERS CAN DOWNLOAD PRINT-READY BROCHURES AND POSTERS FOR THEIR OFFICES TO HELP INFORM PATIENTS OF PARITY RIGHTS AND DO THEIR PART TO STOP DISCRIMINATORY INSURANCE DENIALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. ADVOCATES CAN DOWNLOAD A LETTER TEMPLATE TO EDUCATE EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING HEALTH PLANS. UNIONS CAN DOWNLOAD AN ISSUE BRIEF EXPLAINING HOW TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THEIR MEMBERS.MANY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN TO DATE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY DIRECTORS; LEGAL ACTION CENTER; THE CARTER CENTER; AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE; NAMI; WELL BEING TRUST; MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA; PARITY IMPLEMENTATION COALITION; NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; SHATTERPROOF; FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY; AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION; SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION; FACING ADDICTION; PEG'S FOUNDATION; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE; KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY; CENTER ON ADDICTION; PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS; AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION; INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION; PROJECT HEAL; DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE; AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; COMMUNITY CATALYST; AMERICAN MENTAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATION; AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY; AND TREATMENT ADVOCACY CENTER. EACH MONTH, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE A SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR PARTNERS DEVELOPED AROUND VARIOUS HOLIDAYS AND/OR OBSERVANCES-IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE TIMELY DON'T DENY ME PROMOTIONS WITH FOLLOWERS, MEMBERS, AND SUPPORTERS. THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MANY MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS, INCLUDING USA TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, CNN, AND MORE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO CONVENE THE STATE PARITY LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP, AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STATES' ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT AND RELATED STATE-BASED LAWS. MORE THAN 200 NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WORKGROUP MEMBERS SHARE INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES TO FURTHER EFFORTS IN THEIR STATES. AS PART OF ITS STATE-BASED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE PARITY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM HAS DEVELOPED MODEL STATE LEGISLATION. ITS REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN NEARLY HALF OF ALL STATES. TO IMPROVE HEALTH PLANS' PARITY COMPLIANCE REPORTING, THE KENNEDY FORUM'S JIM RAMSTAD MODEL STATE LEGISLATION TO ADVANCE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY, REQUIRES COMPLIANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY 40 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND WAS ENACTED IN 2021 IN ILLINOIS AND OREGON.