Provides additional support to children with complex needs under the jurisdiction of the state

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic19
• Republican4

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Samra Brouk says this is needed

More young people than ever are struggling with mental health, substance use disorder, and other challenges often at the same time but most are not able to access the behavioral health services they need. We know from study data published by the Healthy Minds Healthy Kids Campaign that only 1 out of 4 young people eligible for outpatient Medicaid behavioral health services is receiving them: https://s3.amazonaws.corrilmedia.ccenewyork.org/ 2024/11/.98woFbc-hmhk-gap-analysis.pdf. New York families are facing an access crisis in that there are not enough appropriate home and community-based, clinic, or residential services for them. Access is especially challenging for kids and adoles- cents with complex behavioral health needs meaning those with serious emotional disturbance or cooccurring mental health, substance use disor- der, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and/or child welfare involvement. These access challenges stem from issues including: the shortage of behavioral health providers, resulting in monthslong wait- lists for assessments and services; families needing to navigate two or more state agencies' bureaucratic processes; complex paperwork and documentation requirements; a shortage of appropriate residential program beds; and inadequate insurance coverage and provider networks. Currently, the NYS Council on Children and Families (CCF) is responsible for helping families of children with complex needs navigate the vast and confusing behavioral healthcare system in our state. Specifically, the Council's Interagency Resolution Unit (IRU) is charged with: facili- tating meetings with stakeholders to support collaboration across systems, helping parties reach agreement on the provision of services, providing discharge supports from ERs and hospitals, coordination of comprehensive evaluations, care, and individual service plans, mediation to resolve interagency disputes that impede access to care, and the provision of technical assistance, information, and referrals. There is an existing process whereby parties including parents, agencies, schools, local social services districts, and individuals can request help in accessing services from the IRU. This bill more clearly defines residential placements and provisions of service and further strengthens the CCF's statutory authority regarding placements. The legislation also establishes reasonable timeframes for the IRU to respond to requests for assistance, which will ensure more efficient residential placement and access to appropriate services. Moreover, the legislation addresses the data gap on children with complex behavioral health needs by requiring CCF to collect detailed information and to establish an online portal. CCF would be required to collect information including length of time a young person is boarding and awaiting placement, wait times for accessing services, and the number of available beds in the state. Sensitive information would only be accessible by state agencies, local social service districts, provid- er agencies, and payors to facilitate access to care. The Council would further be required to report on this data to the Governor, legislature, and public every six months. Lastly, the Council would be required to track data concerning requests for assistance and their outcome, and then report annually to the Governor, legislature, and the public.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.