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Discussion of Intro 652 - pilot program for mental health services for children returned home after removal
2:01:44
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Council Member Stevens inquires about Intro 652, which proposes a pilot program to provide free mental health services to children returned home after ACS removal. Commissioner Dannhauser discusses the potential impact and current services.
- Approximately 1,100 to 1,400 young people are reunified with their families annually, forming the potential pool for these services
- Most mental health services for children in foster care are currently covered by Medicaid
- Children entering foster care receive assessments, and services are based on these assessments
- The commissioner agrees with the direction of the legislation but suggests further discussion on the best implementation approach
- There's acknowledgment that the children's mental health system in the city and state needs strengthening
Althea V. Stevens
2:01:44
Yeah.
2:01:44
Just give me the list.
2:01:45
Alright.
2:01:46
You give it to the sergeant of arms.
2:01:50
I submitted it for the test, thank you very much.
2:01:55
I just have a couple of questions about the, the legislation, and then I believe Council Member Williams has some, questions.
2:02:03
Intro 6 52 will administer for well, ACS in conjunction with Department of Mental Health, to establish a pilot program that will provide mental health services with no cost to children who have been returned to home from following a removal.
2:02:19
How many youth does ACS anticipate could utilize this service?
Jess Dannhauser
2:02:24
So about 1100 1400 young people to be unified, with their families, so that's, I think, the the pool of services.
2:02:33
How we get there to the point the conversation I was having earlier with council member Mennon, we'd love to be in conversation with the council about the best way to support providers and other community, clinics to to meet that need.
Althea V. Stevens
2:02:46
Do children who are removed and unified already receive court mandates or other ACS provide mental health services?
2:02:53
If so, can you please provide details in who pays for those services?
Jess Dannhauser
2:02:57
So most of those are are Medicaid services.
2:03:00
They're not always court mandated.
2:03:02
Every child who comes into foster care has an assessment, and the services are based on that assessment.
2:03:09
It's, the way this the Medicaid system works.
2:03:12
Children in foster care used to have a separate Medicaid funding.
2:03:16
Now they're in managed care, which has had pluses and minuses.
2:03:20
So that system does need to continue to be strengthened.
2:03:23
Children's mental health system needs to be strengthened in our city and state for sure.
2:03:29
And so we we wanna work together about the best way to strengthen that.
2:03:32
I we completely agree with the direction of of the legislation.
2:03:36
I think the question is just how the best to get there.
Althea V. Stevens
2:03:39
And and just because I know for me, I was just, like, kinda shocked.
2:03:41
Because, like, when a a child is being returned back, what does the aftercare look like?
2:03:46
Is it like, okay.
2:03:47
They they're back with their families.
2:03:48
See you later.
UNKNOWN
2:03:49
Yeah.
Althea V. Stevens
2:03:49
Behold if you need anything.
2:03:50
How does that work?
Jess Dannhauser
2:03:52
It depends on the the circumstances around the reunification.
2:03:57
So in most instances, there's a a trial discharge period of about 6 months where there's continued services.
2:04:04
Families can be connected to preventive services.
2:04:06
They can be connected to community resources, and there's ongoing monitoring and supervision by the foster care agency until, there's a final discharge through about a 6 month period of aftercare.
2:04:21
There are instances when a judge says the child is going home today.
2:04:25
There is no child discharge.
2:04:27
It is a final discharge.
2:04:28
The issues have been resolved here.
2:04:31
In those instances, we will offer services, but it is, it's up to the parent.