[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 132 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING ARLETTE MERRITT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2011

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 
Arlette Merritt, Executive Director of West Contra Costa County's Early 
Childhood Mental Health Program, and congratulate her as she approaches 
her well-earned retirement.
  Arlette Merritt's outstanding career in public service was born out 
of her lifelong commitment to mental health services for the very 
youngest and most vulnerable children. In focusing on treatment for 
children ages 0-6, Arlette has made a priceless contribution to her 
client families and to our community as a whole.
  Since becoming Executive Director 28 years ago, Arlette has been 
instrumental in keeping the Early Childhood Mental Health Program 
accessible to our region's population. Under her leadership, the Early 
Childhood Mental Health Program has pioneered early-intervention by 
developing infant/parent home visiting, preschool mental health 
consultation, and intensive day treatment for preschool children. 
Further, this agency provides specialized parenting support groups and 
critical wrap-around services, in both English and Spanish. During her 
admirable career, Arlette has molded an outstanding team of 
professionals who in turn bring these services to 400-500 families a 
year.
  Arlette's rare and exceptional skills have earned her tremendous 
respect and the gratitude of her colleagues as well as the public at 
large. She has been a tireless advocate for the expansion of children's 
mental health services and is nationally recognized as an expert in her 
field.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Arlette Merritt as a 
true hero in our community and to thank her for her dedicated service 
to the families and especially the children of West Contra Costa 
County. While I will truly miss our interaction on issues related to 
supporting children's mental health, I am pleased to join with her 
family, friends and colleagues in congratulating Arlette Merritt on a 
long and highly successful career and wish her a happy and healthy 
retirement.

                          ____________________