124225-124230

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 124225-124230




124225.  (a) The Legislature finds that recent responsibilities for
assessing and treating the mental disorders of children and
adolescents have been required of county mental health programs
creating an unmet need for personnel in the field of mental health
who have expertise in preventing, diagnosing, and treating the mental
and emotional disorders of children.
   (b) Recent attention to child abuse cases has increased the
awareness of the special needs of children who are victims of abuse
and of those who are then called to the courtroom as witnesses.
Mental health personnel with special training are also needed for
these children.



124230.  It is the purpose of the Legislature, in enacting this
article, to encourage the Regents of the University of California to
augment the academic child and adolescent programs at the medical
schools of the University of California. The programs shall include,
but not be limited to, one or more of the following elements:
   (a) Clinical or postgraduate educational programs in child and
adolescent psychiatry to instruct and train students in recognizing
and treating children with mental and emotional problems, both
organic and functional.
   (b) Provision of continuing education for specialists in the care
and treatment of children and adolescents with mental and emotional
problems.
   (c) Research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of mental
disorders of children.