Introduced on a bipartisan, bicameral basis, the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act (H.R. 7808) makes an important change that will increase federal grant support for prevention and early intervention mental health services.
As currently written, the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG), administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), funds mental and behavioral health services for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and children experiencing serious emotional disturbances (SED). While the support for individuals with SMI/SED is critical, the vast majority of children with mental health needs do not have an SED, and many do not have a formal diagnosis.
The EARLY Minds Act enables 5% of a state's MHBG funds to be used for prevention and early intervention services, the type of metal health care children require most often. In addition to this common-sense change to the program, the bill also requires SAMHSA to report on the states that take up this option and how they use those funds to support prevention and early intervention as well as the demographics of those served.
Children's Hospital Association is grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Representatives August Pfluger, R-Texas, John Sarbanes, D-Md., John Joyce, R-Pa., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla., for introducing the House bill, and Senators Bob Casey, D-Pa., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. for introducing the Senate bill.
