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CHILDREN’S HEALTH
Every child deserves full access to affordable, comprehensive quality health care and services that support their healthy growth and development.
Children’s healthcare should encompass not only treatment and management of health problems, but also wellness and preventive services. The right care should be easily available at the right time and in the right place.
Quality health care for children means:
- a medical home and relationship with a primary care physician;
- comprehensive health coverage which includes mental health services, vision, hearing, immunizations, and dental care;
- physical exams and periodic, or as-appropriate, screening services;
- lab tests, imaging, and other diagnostic services appropriate for both age and risk factors;
- assessment, diagnostic services and interventions to correct or improve medical conditions or congenital defects; and
- access to pediatric specialists and sub specialists.
A healthy child:
- has a treatment plan to address chronic health problems and pain;
- has developmental delays or congenital or acquired abnormalities detected and addressed;
- has good nutritional habits;
- is free from exposure to lead and tobacco smoke; and
- is screened for family problems of depression, violence, or substance abuse.
Ideally, parents:
- have access to resources about a child’s physical, social, emotional, and mental development to assist them in anticipating and meeting the needs of their children; and
- have access to appropriate, affordable health services in their communities.
HEALTH GOALS
- Increase funding for community-based mental health services for children and adolescents through the Community Services Boards (CSBs) including: wraparound services, day treatment, respite care, crisis stabilization, in-home family therapy, after school intervention, intensive outpatient treatment, mobile crisis teams, intensive case management, school-based mental health services, and drop-in centers for emotionally and behaviorally troubled teens.
- The completion of a rate study for Medicaid behavioral health services for outpatient psychiatric care, primary care physicians who provide behavioral health services, acute inpatient hospitalization, day treatment, and intensive in-home family services. This study will show whether anecdotes that indicate low rates discourage participation are accurate.
- Increase family support by funding the statewide family education, information and support network to provide families with information about services available to their children, link families with support systems, and educate the public about the needs of children with behavioral health problems.
- Increase women’s access to prenatal care by increasing the eligibility for the FAMIS Moms program to 200% of the federal poverty line ($34,340 for a family of 3). This limit is the same eligibility level under which children are covered through the FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) program, Virginia’s state children’s health insurance program (SCHIP).
- Improve low-income parents access to health care by increasing the eligibility for Medicaid from the current 22-30% of the federal poverty line (depending on where the family lives) to 50% of the federal poverty line ($10,000 for a family of 4).
HEALTH PROJECTS
Mental Health
Would you like to learn more about new policies and advocacy opportunities related to children’s mental health? Sign up now for Voices Mental Health Coalition, an online network of concerned parents and professionals who advocate to improve services for children and youth with mental health needs.
Voices participates in the following important initiative working to improve children’s services:
Child and Family Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee – This committee, created by the General Assembly, is an ongoing effort by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) to create an integrated plan for children's services across the disability areas. The committee’s 2007 report was delivered to the Governor and the General Assembly in June 2007. The committee has also developed a ten-year strategic plan, which was submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in June 2006. An Integrated Policy and Plan to Provide and Improve Access to Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services for Children, Adolescents and Their Families (Budget Item 311-E, 2006 Appropriations Act) July 1, 2006- June 30, 2007 (Adobe pdf)
HEALTH PUBLICATIONS
Advocacy Guide for Families of Children with Special Needs February 2006 (Adobe pdf)
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Treatments (revised in 2005): This is an exciting resource available for families and service providers from the Virginia Commission on Youth. It is an extremely helpful resource that gives research-based information about various mental illnesses and emotional conditions affecting children, along with effective treatments for each one.
Barriers to Achieving a System of Care for Children with Mental Health Needs:
Lack of Adequate Community-Based Services
Fragmentation of Services
Lack of Information and Support for Parents
Issue brief for Hampton Roads -- Increasing Access to Prenatal Care through the FAMIS Moms Program February 2006 (Adobe pdf)
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