Written by Erin Bader
Child Welfare and Mental Health in the News
From new digital health platforms to geo-mapping technologies and new mental health initiatives, we’ve pulled together a collection of headlines of recent mental health and child welfare news.
New Digital Platform Will Provide Mental Health Support for North Carolina Teens
Following Hurricane Helene and heading into the holiday season, North Carolina teens are experiencing increased mental health challenges. The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, launched two years ago, has seen significant use by teens aged 12-18, particularly its talk and text features. Recognizing the need for ongoing support, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) partnered with a digital platform called “Somethings” in October.
“Somethings” is a free, anonymous mental health platform designed for teens aged 13-19. It connects them with certified peer mentors who have overcome similar struggles and are supported by licensed clinical supervisors. The platform provides accessible, stigma-free help to all teens across North Carolina’s 100 counties. You can learn more here.
Hawaii Awards $11.99M Grant to Improve Children’s Mental Health Services Statewide
The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD) has received an $11.99 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to enhance mental health services for youth. The four-year initiative, titled “Workforce Activities in Action (WAʻA): Building Capacity for CAMHD’s Youth Through Equity,” launched on September 30, 2024.
WAʻA aims to address Hawaiʻi’s youth mental health crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Maui wildfire disaster, and tackle behavioral health workforce shortages. The initiative focuses on improving access to culturally appropriate, evidence-based mental health supports and strengthening workforce capacity, care coordination, and interagency collaboration.
Key goals include:
South Carolina: Outgoing DSS Director Addresses Future of Child Welfare System
South Carolina’s child welfare system is facing a critical moment as DSS Director Michael Leach prepares to step down on January 2, citing job stress and the need to focus on family. Despite significant progress under Leach’s leadership, including reduced caseloads and fewer children in foster care, the system is struggling to meet the growing and complex needs of children, particularly those with severe mental health challenges, intellectual disabilities, and autism.
Governor Henry McMaster described the system as reaching a breaking point, with issues like children sleeping overnight in DSS offices due to a lack of suitable placements. Leach highlighted the root causes, including insufficient upstream support for families, the impact of COVID-19, and the erosion of resources since the recession. Parents unable to care for children with severe needs often turn to DSS, which lacks the capacity and infrastructure to provide specialized care.
Leach emphasized the need for more investments in mental health services, psychiatric residential facilities, and interagency support from departments like Disabilities and Special Needs, Mental Health, and Juvenile Justice. Without systemic changes and additional resources, the child welfare system risks further strain, leaving vulnerable children without adequate care.
Workforce Development Progress in Illinois
Illinois has made concerted efforts to grow their workforce, improve the time to permanency, and increasing intensive services. Illinois is seeing promising outcomes from a therapeutic foster care pilot program by Lutheran Social Services, which provides intensive support to children in foster care. Marc D. Mueller, head of Illinois’ child welfare system, plans to expand such initiatives with more providers, therapeutic treatments, and foster homes statewide.
Dr. Dana Weiner, leading the state’s Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, uses geo-mapping and data analytics to identify areas lacking resources. A notable challenge is the sharp increase in children with autism entering foster care, prompting efforts to understand this trend and address their needs. The state aims to develop community-based supports and specialized residential treatment options for children with autism, developmental delays, LGBTQ+ youth requiring affirming care, and those who have experienced trafficking.
Mueller announced plans to open 150 new residential program slots in the next year and emphasized building a continuum of care. The goal is to keep children in family or foster homes, avoiding escalation to residential care or hospitalization whenever possible.
Prioritizing Pediatric Mental Health Through Value-Based Care
The AMA News Wire highlights the importance of prioritizing pediatric mental health through value-based care models. This approach focuses on improving outcomes by linking payment and delivery systems to high-quality, comprehensive mental health services for children.
For more updates and resources on child welfare and mental health, check out our Updates Launch Pad.
