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.