Jess Dannhauser
0:14:18
Intro 652 would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish and operate a pilot program to provide free mental health services for up to 1 year for children who've been returned home from foster care.
0:14:28
ACS strongly agrees that children and youth who are reunified from foster care and then who are in need of mental health services should have immediate access to these services without charge.
0:14:37
Currently, when a youth is discharged from foster care, there are provisions to ensure continuity of care for services initiated while the child was in care.
0:14:45
Specifically, they would be able to access all Medicaid services they were receiving while in care for up to a year so long as the foster care agency notifies the managed care plan of the discharge.
0:14:54
Young adults age 18 and older at discharge are eligible for Medicaid up to age 26.
0:14:59
And, also, older youth exiting foster care, Fair Futures coaches who can connect them to support services up to the age of 26 as well.
0:15:06
Of course, families in need can access ACS funded prevention service as well.
0:15:10
ACS looks forward to discussing this bill with the council.
0:15:14
ACS also preached the the council's interest in making sure that parents and caretakers know how to find an attorney when ACS is conducting a child protective investigation.
0:15:22
Since 2020, ACS has been providing families with the contact information for the legal services organization in the borough at the start of an investigation.
0:15:31
Information is included with an informational package about how to access resources in their communities, such as food banks and family enrichment centers.
0:15:38
We look forward to discussing this legislation with the council as well.