On November 15, 2018, the Governor-created Children’s System State Board issue its strategic plan for developing and implementing a Children’s Mental Health System in Iowa. To read the Executive Summary and the recommendations, go to https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/ChildrensStateBoard_StrategicPlan_Nov2018.pdf It will be up to the 2019 General Assembly to pass and the Governor to sign legislation implementing and funding the plan.
Disability Rights Iowa continues to be concerned about:
- Lack of specifics in the plan, e.g. mental health screening requirements
- Shifting of responsibilities from the state to the regional mental health and disability service entities
- Minimal involvement of the Department of Education, areas education agencies and schools regarding the implementation of the plan
- Failure of the Board to take a stand on how the children’s mental health system should be funded as the plan only contains possible funding recommendations
In 2019, Disability Rights Iowa will be closely monitoring the progress of the Children’s State Board’s plan in the legislature. DRI will also be developing a series of videos for Medicaid-eligible families regarding their rights under the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) requirements of the Medicaid Act for children under age 21. If you feel that your child is not receiving all of the Medicaid mental health services to which your child is entitled, please contact DRI at 1-800-779-2502 ext. 12, 1-515-278-2502 ext. 12 or online at https://disabilityrightsiowa.org/contact-disability-rights-iowa/let-us-help/
