JoAnne Malloy (far right), clinical assistant professor at the Institute on Disability, joined Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and other mental health professionals at a legislative briefing for members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, May 7, in recognition of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Malloy discussed IOD projects RENEW (Rehabilitation, Empowerment, Natural supports, Education and Work), which provides school-to-career transition planning for youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities; and APEX (Achievement in Dropout Prevention and Excellence), an effective approach to dropout prevention for vulnerable youth. A video of the entire briefing is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc7dcD0EJ0A&feature=youtu.be; Malloy’s contribution begins at 40 minutes.  Read more: http://napolitano.house.gov/press-release/rep-napolitano-co-hosts-childrens-mental-health-awareness-briefing.