The Council on Children, Adolescents, and Their Families works to advance the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with mental health problems. The council keeps psychiatric issues involving children and adolescents in the forefront of APA policy and works to assist general psychiatrists in learning more about treating or referring pediatric patients.

Highlights of Responsibilities

• Work with other APA components to advise and assist on matters that impact the emotional lives of children and adolescents such as substance abuse and matters related to juvenile justice.
• Work to help maintain effective communication and collaboration between the APA and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Address the clinical care and provision of services of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities including autistic spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.
• Work to increase the awareness of the prevalence and promote the prevention of all types of violence including the physical and sexual abuse of children and spouse as well as other types of domestic abuse.
• Work to promote policies aimed at improving the awareness of mental health issues and the effectiveness of school based treatments within schools across all age ranges and settings.
• Help promote the identification, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues of infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children in collaboration with other professional organizations and related programs.
• Oversee the activities of the Blanche F. Ittleson Research Award Committee.
• Oversee the activities of Agnes Purcell McGavin Awards Selection Committee.
• Oversee the activities of the Council-appointed Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program Work Group.

Staff Liaison

• Esther Gershenson

Council Members

• Lisa Fortuna, M.D. – Chairperson
  2024-2026
• Balkozar Adam, M.D., DLFAPA
  2019-2025
• Oscar Bukstein, M.D., LFAPA
  2019-2025
• Darja Djordjevic, M.D., Ph.D. – Early Career Psychiatrist Representative
  2024-2027
• Rana El-Maghraby, M.D.
  2023-2026
• Cathryn Galanter, M.D., FAPA
  2024-2027
• Ijeoma Ijeaku, M.D., M.P.H., DFAPA – Assembly Representative
  2024-2027
• Justine Larson, M.D., M.P.H., FAPA
  2023-2026
• Misty Richards, M.D.
  2023-2026
• Suzan Song, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
  2023-2026
• Oliver Stroeh, M.D., DFAPA
  2022-2025
• Jose Vito, M.D., DFAPA
  2024-2027
• Lisa Cullins, M.D. – Corresponding Member (AACAP)
  2024-2025
• Latoya Frolov, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Meera Menon, M.D., FAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• German Velez, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025