Children’s Mental Health: An Urgent Priority for Illinois

In 2001, two efforts came together to establish the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Task Force. o A group of child advocates and education leaders who produced a White Paper on children’s mental health and the schools. o The Social-Emotional Health Committee of the Birth to Five Project. In 2002, the Task Force was convened by the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority. o Building, over time, a comprehensive and coordinated children’s mental health system that includes Mental Health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment. History

Early prevention and intervention efforts can save significant state costs. A significant number of Illinois children experience serious mental health problems. Many mental health problems are largely preventable or can be minimized with prevention and early intervention efforts. Children’s social and emotional development is an essential underpinning to school readiness and academic success. A comprehensive, coordinated children’s mental health system can help maximize resources and minimize duplication of services. Key Findings

A successful children’s mental health system engages families and caregivers. Prevention and early intervention efforts should start early, beginning prenatally and at birth, and continue throughout adolescence. All children and their families should have access to affordable, quality, family-centered, culturally competent interventions and services. Public and private resources must be maximized and coordinated, and should build on existing state and local systems and programs. Children’s mental health services should be delivered in natural settings. Key Principles

Children’s Mental Health Act of 2003 Established the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP). Mandates that the ICMHP develop a children’s mental health plan. Final plan due 6/30/05. Allows office of mental health funds to be used for children under age 3. Expands pre-psych hospital screening program.

Children’s Mental Health Act of 2003 Improves methods of capturing Medicaid funds that can be used to support children’s mental health. Requires Illinois State Board of Education to develop social/emotional learning standards. Requires local school districts to develop policies on social/emotional development.

Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership Families Children and Youth Policymakers Advocates State agencies State organizations and associations Mental Health Education Health Substance abuse Violence prevention Juvenile justice Early Childhood Child welfare Key Stakeholders Partnership Members Executive Committee Early ChildhoodSchool Age School Policies & Standards Public Awareness Cultural Competency Family Involvement

ICMHP Comprehensive Plan Contains priority recommendations and strategies for implementing priority Task Force recommendations. Committees worked on action steps for key recommendations. Plan was revised based on public input—5 forums. Implementation of Plan will be phased-in over next few years. Partnership will monitor Plan implementation

Includes recommendations for: Promoting children’s optimal social and emotional development. Identifying mental health needs and intervening early. Ensuring that mental health programs and services meet the needs of diverse communities. Working with and engaging families in all aspects of the system. ICMHP Comprehensive Plan

Promoting multi-agency collaboration at the state and local level to maximize scarce resources, minimize duplication of services, and facilitate access to services. Increasing mental health programs and services, especially in underserved areas of the state.

ICMHP Comprehensive Plan Building a culturally-competent, qualified and adequately trained workforce with a sufficient number of professionals to meet the statewide needs of children and their families. Educating the public to reduce stigma and promote the importance of developing children’s mental health

Family Recommendations Mobilize, train, support families/caregivers and consumers to become advocates for their children and CMH System Encourage local/state mental health boards to involve families/caregivers/consumers as full board participants Promote use of stipends and other incentives to encourage family involvement in CMH planning

Family Recommendations Train early childhood programs, mental health providers and educators to promote meaningful family involvement in CMH programs and services, using a family strengths perspective Expand access to and availability of culturally competent family education and support groups

Family Recommendations Develop and strengthen education, support services and linkages to services for families/caregivers, especially new and at- risk families/caregivers Develop and distribute innovative/creative children’s mental health resources for families/caregivers

Family Recommendations Develop mechanisms to ensure that families and caregivers receive adequate information, assistance and skills to navigate the cmh system Strengthen the capacity of providers to outreach to and engage isolated families

Barriers Encountered Challenges of broad engagement Agency turf Issues Historical under-funding of children’s services and programs Very little focus on prevention/promotion Need for staff and funding support for ICMHP Reactions to screening issue Lack of implementation resources in tight budget times

State MH Transformation Builds on CMH partnerships and plan Shared leadership Emphasis on families Focus on children’s social emotional development and mental health promotion