B5 - Grassroots to Grasstops: Mental Health Parity Advancement

Monday, April 27, 2026

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT

Location: Bluebird 2C

The Georgia Mental Health Parity Act of 2022 was a major legislative victory—but its true impact depends on effective implementation. This session will explore how The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiver Program is driving progress through public education, coalition-building, and strategic advocacy—integrating grassroots and grasstops approaches. Attendees will gain insight into the multipronged strategy, including lessons learned leading up to the state’s first enforcement action under the law. The session will offer practical, replicable strategies for advancing parity in other states.

Learning Objectives:

Identify key components of mental health parity legislation, using the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act as a case study, and examine common implementation challenges across states.
Analyze effective strategies for promoting public awareness and legislative engagement around parity, drawing on the work of the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiver Program.
Explore replicable coalition-building and advocacy approaches that support parity enforcement across states.

Disclosure(s):

Aashna Panjwani, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Sarah Phillips: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

AP

Aashna Panjwani, MPH

Senior Program Associate
The Carter Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Sarah Phillips, MPA

Associate Director
The Carter Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose