The Colorado Legislature is investing more than $15 million to ensure children with complex behavioral issues, including trauma, severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, get the center-based care they need.
Colorado faces numerous lawsuits for failing to provide adequate assistance.
Democratic Rep. Mary Young of Greeley said meeting needs was a top priority in recent sessions.
“When we heard about children and young people and their families not being able to find suitable employment opportunities, we realized this did not reflect Colorado’s values,” Young explained. “We don’t want our children to be neglected.”
Psychiatric facilities in Colorado often lacked beds for children in crisis, forcing families to travel out of state for care. Many children ended up sleeping on the floors of emergency rooms, county offices, or jails. House Bill 1038 promises to more than double the number of beds for Colorado children with the most severe mental health needs.
Rep. Brandi Bradley (R-Roxboro) said the new law would also provide services to prevent mental health issues from turning into crises. A recent report found that more than one-third of Colorado high school students with severe depression did not receive treatment last year.
“But we know that with this $15 million, we can not only put in the staffing that we need, but we can provide the actual care that these kids need,” Bradley emphasized. “Right now, when they’re in jail, they don’t have access to treatment, and we’re seeing them being funneled through the justice system.”
Young added that the measure also includes improved compensation for nursing homes and includes workforce development incentives for training and improved wages for workers.
“We need to improve pay to attract the workforce that is so important to delivering these services,” Young argued.
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In Tennessee and across the country, Black women superintendents are addressing the challenges faced by students from marginalized communities, especially their social and emotional well-being.
More than 4 in 10 students report feeling “permanently depressed or hopeless,” according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adrian Battle, Director and Superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, will be participating in a virtual event on this topic today. “Superintendent of Color for Teaching Excellence” will discuss how to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students through initiatives such as the “Navigator” program, which connects students to resources and wraparound services.
“We assign every student in our district a navigator, or really a caring adult who checks in on them frequently,” Battle explained, “to make sure they have an advocate and that they have someone they can go to when they need it.”
Battle added that the district is also investing heavily in mental health and social-emotional learning supports by increasing the number of school psychologists, social workers and other professionals.
Battle points out that she grew up in the Metro Nashville school system and credits her decision to become an educator to the inspiring women who raised her as a student. Stated. She also pointed out that there are fewer women of color in the superintendent position.
“As teachers, we know that over 70 percent of teachers are women,” Battle emphasized, “and we also know that the percentage of Black women teachers is even lower. We also know that national data shows that fewer than 30 percent of superintendents are women and even fewer are Black superintendents.”
Battle will also share information at the virtual event about advocacy centers set up in elementary schools and peace centers set up in middle schools and high schools. These centers focus on de-escalation techniques and restorative practices to maintain a positive school environment.
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Amanda Dodson first noticed signs of the I Matter pilot program at her 10-year-old daughter Haley’s school. As a result of her research, she was able to get Haley to see a therapist for free to help address her diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dodson said the experience changed her life. Hayley visits a therapist, plays games, and eats snacks so she can talk about her own experiences and learn her coping skills.
“The therapist also follows up with us and puts together a summary of what we’re working on together,” Amanda Dodson said. “I feel like we’re making an effort as a family to make sure my daughter gets the help she needs.”
Colorado became the first state in the nation to offer free mental health care to all students when lawmakers made the “I Matter” program permanent. Students can fill out a form at imattercolorado.org to receive up to six free therapy sessions and be put in touch with a case manager if they need additional care.
Since 2021, the I Matter pilot program has helped nearly 12,000 youth receive more than 50,000 free therapy sessions in 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties.
Democratic Sen. Daphna Michelson Jennette of Commerce City helped launch the pilot program and believes it will continue to help young people get back on track.
“Our kids are struggling in ways that other generations haven’t struggled with, and it’s incumbent on us to recognize the need for therapeutic help and support and be able to provide it,” Jennett said.
According to a recent Healthy Colorado/Inseparables poll, 9 out of 10 Colorado voters strongly support providing free mental health services to struggling youth. Dodson said making the “I Matter” program permanent shows the state is serious about mental health.
“I’m so excited to see I Matter happening and being promoted and I’m happy to be a part of this program and I encourage everyone to have the same opportunity,” she continued.
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Virginia is stepping up mental health care during Mental Health Month and beyond.
Since the pandemic, the need for behavioral health services has increased significantly, especially among young people. Social media and pandemic-era isolation have contributed to the ongoing mental health crisis among young people.
Mental Health Virginia Executive Director Bruce Kreuser said a ripple effect of the pandemic has been to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
“More and more people are talking about mental illness and the fact that they’re not feeling well,” Kreuser points out. “It’s a good thing that more people are talking openly about it and more people are asking for help when they need it. So that’s a good thing. The problem is that there are too many people who need help. is.”
The state has made progress in funding mental health services. Virginia’s new budget will increase child mental health funding by about $2.5 million to $15 million in 2025 and 2026, but many other funds will be cut, redirected or eliminated. There is.
Although states are expanding service offerings, barriers to accessing services remain. Kreuser said there are many reasons why people don’t get the help they need, beyond the prejudices embedded in certain communities.
“For some people, it’s going to be costly because they may not have insurance or may not know what insurance options are available to them,” Kluser acknowledged, “But even if they have insurance, they may have high co-pays and things like that. But the other thing is availability of services.”
The federal Health Resources and Services Administration has designated all of Virginia a mental health professional shortage area, and other reports have found that few areas of the state have nearly adequate youth behavioral health services.
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