This project will be governed by the GSVUW, with input coming from its service providers, school districts and the Intermediate Unit. The Assistant Director of YMH will report to the YMH Director who will have full oversight in its implementation.
The goals of the Youth Mental Health Comprehensive Plan at GSVUW are multi-faceted. Our immediate-term goals for this project are to eliminate barriers to mental health care for children and adolescents by improving PBIS supports and implementing a trauma-informed approach. We hope to accomplish several things. First, hiring a full-time youth mental health expert who will do the following: 1. Provide case management services to connect children and families with diagnostic and supportive services for advanced-tier PBIS referrals; 2. Facilitate enrollment of eligible students with a mental health diagnosis in Medicaid; 3. Work with healthcare providers and county agencies to facilitate mental health referrals and support parents/guardians; 4. Implement telemedicine and school-based mental health solutions by identifying resources to allow for additional and free/low-cost options for schools and families, especially those patients who are un- or underinsured. 5. Implement and oversee a financial assistance program that would provide support for co-pays and out-of-pocket costs related to mental health services. 6. With support from other GSV staff and the Social-Emotional Wellness team from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU), identify schools with a high need to deploy consultancy services for evaluating PBIS structure and implementing trauma-informed programming. The second major piece the grant would fund is a sub-contract with a Patient Advocacy Specialist who will enroll families/children in Medicaid. In April of 2021, GSVUW hired a part-time Specialist and is already receiving many referrals and completing enrollments. Third, funding will seed the financial assistance fund and enable us to seek other funding sources. Funding from multiple sources has already been committed to supporting the financial assistance fund. And finally, funding will be utilized to contract with consultants to evaluate and improve school PBIS structures and move them to a trauma-sensitive structure. Our overall goal is to eliminate adolescent deaths by suicide.
Hiring an effective Assistant Director is critical to the launch and ultimate success of this program. Then, we will begin the implement processes and supports, including full asset mapping, establishing financial assistance guidelines, and identifying target populations for interventions. School districts will utilize their internal processes to identify students with individualized mental health needs as outlined in the most advanced PBIS tier. Students already enrolled in Medicaid will have a referral placed by the school counselor, social worker or Student Assistance Program team to a Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH) organization and/or school-based behavioral health services depending upon their needs. Students without Medicaid, but with a mental health diagnosis will be consulted and, if school-based services are desired, can immediately begin the Medicaid enrollment process. Those interested will be connected with the Patient Advocate. Students without Medicaid and without a mental health diagnosis, but with PBIS advanced tier needs, will receive a warm referral to a diagnostic provider. While awaiting a diagnosis or enrollment into Medicaid, students, if desired, can be referred to teletherapy solutions, once in place. This therapy option seeks to address the need gap between waiting times of diagnosis and enrollment in Medicaid.
