Brief Description, Dates and Application Process for 2005 Policy Academy

Policy Academies provide exciting opportunities for states, federally recognized tribal organizations, and jurisdictions considering policy initiatives to engage in transformation processes to enhance community-based systems, services and supports for children with or at risk of behavioral health disorders and their families. In 2005, delegations from five states or jurisdictions will be selected to participate in the fifth Policy Academy to be held August 8-11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 2005 Policy Academy:  Transforming Mental Health Care for Children and Families through Planning, Policy, and Practice is designed to assist states, federally recognized tribes, and territories with the development and implementation of public policies to further their transformation efforts and to concentrate these efforts on children and families. The 2005 Policy Academy will focus on the six goals in the New Freedom Commission report.

DATES AND APPLICATION PROCESS

The process to apply for participation in the 2005 Policy Academy is as follows: 

1. A letter of invitation with a full description of the Policy Academy and the Letter of Application questions was sent to the governor or the highest official of each state, federally recognized tribe, and jurisdiction in late January 2005.
2. States, tribes, and territories interested in participating in the 2005 Policy Academy should respond to questions in a Letter of Application. In addition, each application should include a letter of support from either a family/youth and/or advocacy organization.  Letters of Application are due on April 4, 2005
3. Letters of Application will be reviewed by a panel of representatives from national organizations that support the Policy Academies. Selection is made based on the criteria described in the Letter of Application.
4. All applicants will be notified of the results May 9, 2005. 
5. Successful applicants must appoint one or two persons as the delegation team leader or co-leaders to ensure communication among all the delegates and with the National TA Center at Georgetown.  The delegation team leader(s) is an essential position for successful completion of the policy initiative.
6. Funding Arrangements - There is no registration fee. The travel and hotel costs will be paid for up to 7 members of each participating delegation, although delegations may be larger. Funding for additional members must be provided by the participating state, federally recognized tribe, or jurisdiction.

NOTE:  For this 2005 Academy, all states, federally recognized tribes, and territories may apply.  Previous participation in a Policy Academy does not disqualify an applicant.