Bill Overview
Title: Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify and review evidence-based interventions, best practices, curricula, and staff trainings in Head Start programs that improve the behavioral health of children and support staff wellness. HHS must (1) award grants to participating Head Start agencies to implement the interventions, and (2) evaluate the implementation of the interventions. The bill also permits HHS to fund five best practice centers in universities to prepare future Head Start agencies and staff to deliver the interventions.
Sponsors: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by interventions in Head Start programs
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets improvement of behavioral health in children enrolled in Head Start programs, which primarily serve low-income families.
- Head Start programs in the U.S. reach over a million children each year, suggesting a significant target population.
- The interventions and best practices identified will have a direct impact on children currently in Head Start, future enrollees, and their families.
- Staff wellness is a component of the bill, which implies that Head Start staff and future staff trained by best practice centers will also be affected.
- The bill includes the establishment of best practice centers in universities, impacting faculty and students involved in preparing future Head Start educators.
Reasoning
- The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act focuses on Head Start programs, which serve over a million children from low-income families, indicating that the primary impacted group is children and their families.
- The policy will also have an impact on the staff within Head Start programs, as well as future staff trained by best practice centers.
- Although the budget is significant, it limits the extent and reach over vast populations, focusing on selected interventions and centers for implementation.
- The commonness factor should include both staff and children from low-income families, most possibly concentrated in urban areas where Head Start programs are prevalent.
- The policy enhances educational and health aspects through behavioral interventions, suggesting positive wellbeing effects more pronounced in those directly receiving or delivering services.
Simulated Interviews
Head Start Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the support for mental health in children is crucial and has been overlooked.
- Training for staff is essential to effectively help these children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
University Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to best practice centers will enhance my education and better prepare us for the field.
- I'm eager to see mental health become a priority in early childhood education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Head Start Program Director (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional funding for interventions will significantly improve our program's capacity.
- I'm hopeful that this will lead to better outcomes for the children we serve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Parent of Head Start Child (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this policy, I hope my child gets better support at Head Start.
- Managing behavioral issues has been a challenge at home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
University Professor (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Creating best practice centers can bring much-needed innovation into educator training.
- I'm enthusiastic about contributing to the training of future Head Start staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Head Start Administrative Staff (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding can ease some of our logistical burdens, improving overall efficiency.
- Staff wellness aspects of the policy might reduce stress across the program.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Head Start Parent Committee Member (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might empower parents like me to advocate for better mental health resources.
- I see potential for positive change within our community, though execution is key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Head Start Teaching Assistant (Memphis, TN)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing a structured approach to mental health in Head Start is promising.
- Training is paramount to effectively help our kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Mental Health Specialist for Head Start (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a significant step towards better mental health integration in early education.
- I'm looking forward to seeing how the practice centers shape upcoming strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Community Activist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are critical to leveling the playing field for underprivileged kids.
- It's vital to keep pushing for consistency in policy implementation to see real benefits.
- While I support the policy, I worry about its reach considering the budget constraints.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $105000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $125000000)
Year 3: $110000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $130000000)
Year 5: $115000000 (Low: $95000000, High: $135000000)
Year 10: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $140000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $175000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill primarily impacts Head Start programs and associated stakeholders, who are mainly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Long-term cost savings are expected from reduced behavioral health treatment needs and improved educational outcomes.
- The effective implementation of practices and the chosen methods of evaluation will heavily determine the success and efficiency of this policy.
- Coordination with existing education policy efforts and child welfare programs can provide synergies.