The Department of Children and Families has issued a comprehensive plan to tackle mental health issues in school children.
The “Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Plan” is meant to meet the mental, emotional and behavioral needs of all children. It’s a response to the Newtown tragedy, which spurred the Connecticut General Assembly to create new legislation requiring changes to prevent future tragedies.
DCF is asking the public to review the plan and submit comments and concerns through September 12 at http://www.Plan4Children.org.
The commissioner of DCF, Joette Katz, said families and children who have sought and received these types of health services had a large part in creating the plan and providing input and insight into what was needed.
This is a draft of the plan, and after the public comment period ends a final plan will be drawn up and presented in October.
The draft includes six areas that need to be focused, including:
- System organization, financing and accountability
- Health promotion, prevention, early identification and early intervention
- Access to a comprehensive continuum of care
- Continuity, coordination and integration of care
- Address disparities in access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care
- Family and youth engagement
A set of goals to be implemented over the next five years provide ways to improve the six areas highlighted.
The plan is funded by a public-private partnership including the Connecticut Health Foundation, the Children’s Fund of Connecticut and the Grossman Family Foundation.
