Written by Erin Bader
It’s been a busy week in the news for children’s mental health. These articles examine the ongoing mental health needs and various efforts to address them in some States.
A Growing Crisis in Mental Health Care for Ohio Children
Across Ohio, children with complex behavioral needs are facing severe challenges as placement options dwindle and the demand for specialized care reaches record levels. Lindsay Sparks, from South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, explained that despite collaboration with mental health providers, many agencies lack the resources to manage extreme cases. She recounted the difficulty of placing a young child who had been denied placement 45 times statewide, forcing children to occasionally spend nights at agency facilities. Additionally, escalating mental health issues among children are straining the system. Jody Walker, executive director of the agency, noted that severe behavioral cases have surged over the past decade, and the cost of suitable placements has increased by 300%.In response to these challenges, the County Commissioners Association has prioritized child welfare in the upcoming biennial budget. The association supports Governor Mike DeWine’s commitment to children and emphasizes the critical role counties play in protecting them.
County receives millions in state funds for foster youth with behavioral conditions
Stanislaus County, CA has approved an $8.5 million grant to create programs for foster youth with serious behavioral health conditions. The grant, funded by the California Department of Social Services, will support the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program and be administered by Stanislaus County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services on behalf of the Central Valley Consortium (CVC), which includes Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin counties.
Since 2020, the CVC has worked to develop strategies for supporting foster youth with complex behavioral needs. Aspiranet, a community-based organization, has been instrumental in these efforts, previously securing over $33 million in state funds to expand services. The Hope Forward Campus in south Turlock will be upgraded to include new facilities for psychiatric, vocational, and recreational services.
Key unmet needs in the region include a lack of local crisis care, insufficient placement options, limited after-care coordination, and a shortage of trained resources for complex cases.
For kids in mental health crisis, there’s now urgent care
This 11-minute interview introduces a new psychiatric urgent care clinic for kids and teens that has opened at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. The clinic will be the first of its kind in Washington. It’s intended for children who don’t need emergency services but do need same-day care.
‘Numerous’ complaints of Kentucky foster youth sleeping in office buildings spark investigation
Kentucky is investigating the root causes of reports of foster children sleeping in office buildings without proper supervision. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has acknowledged the challenges of placing high-needs youth—often older teenagers with severe behavioral or mental health issues—into suitable environments, despite efforts to increase funding for temporary care options.
Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, emphasized that addressing the issue requires significant investment and creativity. The state must provide more resources and higher compensation for those willing to care for high-needs children. He suggested potential solutions, such as incentivizing foster care placements and establishing triage centers as temporary, secure housing options. Brooks highlighted that the problem is widespread across Kentucky, not limited to Jefferson County, and underscored the need for legislative action and increased funding.
$25M Grant To Bolster Mental Health, Wellness Resources At PGCPS
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is expanding its behavioral health services by partnering with multiple organizations to address gaps in student mental health care. These partners will complement the work of school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and clinicians with a focus on crisis intervention, wellness education, and professional care access. The organizations will each provide a service including virtual health support, mobile response teams, mental health education and social-emotional learning, mental health first aid training, and support groups.
Experts discuss Oklahoma’s mental illness, substance abuse crises
Oklahoma is actively addressing the mental health crisis, including participating in the National Center’s Intensive Technical Assistance. At the “State of Mental Health” event hosted by the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, mental health experts discussed strategies for addressing Oklahoma’s ongoing mental health and substance abuse challenges. Key solutions include expanding the mental health workforce, prioritizing youth mental health care, and making services more affordable and accessible. Oklahoma is taking proactive measures, such as funding the 988 mental health hotlines.
Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt highlighted the cultural shift towards more open conversations about mental health, stressing the importance of prioritizing support and breaking cycles of struggle. The event underscored the widespread impact of mental health issues on everyday life, affecting teachers, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals alike, and called for continued, community-wide action.
For more updates and resources on child welfare and mental health, check out our Updates Launch Pad.
