I am retired from practice in Colorado and now live in Maryland. I have read with interest articles in publications like "Voices for Children" and in newspapers about the shortage of Qualified Mental Health Practitioners in Virginia. Help for children with mental health problems should be in the forefront of every governments concerns since children are the adults of the future who will become the leaders of tomorrow.

While I was in Colorado, I was in private practice and also on the staff of The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) and was Chief Social Worker in the children's mental health clinic. Besides seeing patients I was also responsible supervising staff social workers and for training of social work students, psychology interns and psychiatric residents. Since the social work students came from the University Denver School of Social Work and Smith College of Social Work in Northhampton Mass. I held Adjunct Professor titles from both schools. I list these not to tout myself, but to demonstrate that I really know the importance of Qualified mental health professionals.

I understand the Board's revisions to the statutes have been on the Governor's desk for over a year. I know there are always reasons why some revisions to statutes just do not move ahead, but I believe it would be unconsionable to drag this out. The Governor should "step up to the plate" and sign the bill.

With caring and concern for children,

Erlyne Cooper LCSW (retired)