SB 1003
Creating regional pediatric mental health hubs
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve access to mental health services for children under 12 in West Virginia by creating regional hubs and a ‘Home-First’ approach. It requires the Department of Human Services to establish three regional hubs that will maintain directories of available providers and offer immediate support to parents. The bill also redirects funds currently used for out-of-state residential placements to support in-home services and telehealth access for families in rural areas.
Key provisions
- Establishment of three Regional Pediatric Mental Health Hubs (Northern, Southern, and Central).
- Creation of a real-time directory of pediatric counselors and their wait times.
- Provision of ‘Bridge’ Coaching to parents of children on waitlists for care.
- Installation of secure telehealth kiosks in rural county health departments.
- Redirection of 5% of funds previously used for out-of-state residential placement to a Pediatric Resource Fund.
Who is affected
- Children under the age of 12
- Parents of children with mental health needs
- Pediatric counselors and mental health providers
- County health departments
- The Department of Human Services
Notable changes
- Shifts funding from out-of-state residential placements to in-home services.
- Requires the state to prioritize in-home clinical support.
- Establishes a ‘Home-First’ policy, preventing removal of children solely due to lack of community resources.
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