WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), along with U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (Mich.), led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking information to determine what resources states and territories need to ensure children in foster care have access to mental health services. The members urged HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to collect data–such as the number of children who receive an initial mental health screening and the number of children in foster care who are referred for mental health services as a result of a screening–as part of the Children’s Bureau’s forthcoming Child & Family Services Review.
“As members focused on protecting and advancing opportunities for children in foster care, we seek information from the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) in order to determine what resources states and territories need so that every child can access timely mental health services in foster care,” they wrote. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had an impact on the health—especially mental health—of children in the United States. Data from a CMS report show that outpatient mental health services for children declined in nearly all states about a month and a half into the pandemic. Now that we are nearly two years into the pandemic, we want to ensure that foster youth do not fall through the cracks.”
The members continued, “Children entering foster care deserve federal law that reflects best practices. The Children’s Bureau conducts periodic Child & Family Services Reviews (CFSR), which provide an opportunity to review state child welfare systems’ practices and outcomes. As part of the CFSR process, the Children’s Bureau evaluates the outcomes of children and families in child welfare services, and provides an opportunity to assist states by ensuring those children and families achieve positive outcomes. We urge the Department to collect the following data and include it in a forthcoming CFSR:
1. |
| The number of children who receive an initial mental health screening required under section 422(b)(15)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act; |
2. |
| Whether the initial mental health screening occurs within 30 days of a child’s entry or re-entry into foster care; |
3. |
| The number of children who receive a follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment; |
4. |
| Whether the follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment occurs within 60 days of a child’s entry or re-entry into foster care; and |
5. |
| The number of children in foster care who are referred for mental health services as a result of the follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment.” |