Bill Overview
Title: Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 two grant programs that support pediatric mental and behavioral health services and interventions. First, it reauthorizes and makes changes to a grant program for states, localities, and Indian tribes for statewide or regional telehealth access programs to promote the integration of behavioral health in pediatric primary care. Specific changes include allowing a nonprofit organization to receive the grant if the state (1) does not apply for the grant, and (2) supports the nonprofit's receipt of it. Additionally, recipients may use grant funds to support schools and emergency departments. Second, the bill reauthorizes a grant program for human services agencies and nonprofits to develop and maintain infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Target Audience
Population: Children and their families
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill targets pediatric populations, which generally refers to individuals from 0-18 years of age.
- The bill specifically supports programs for infant and early childhood mental health, focusing on children up to 8 years old approximately.
- Children's access to mental health services will directly involve caregivers and families, potentially affecting their wellbeing as well.
- Schools and emergency departments will also be involved in delivering the services, involving a broader community network.
- Mental health access improvements via telehealth could have global applicability, but the bill's direct impact is on regions that receive the US grants.
Reasoning
- The Supporting Children's Mental Health Care Access Act primarily impacts children, their families, and schools. Thus, I will include interviews from diverse groups: parents, school staff, healthcare providers, and a non-impacted general adult.
- With the budget constraints of $40M in the first year and extending to $459M over ten years, I will consider medium to high impact cases within targeted areas, and low impact or no impact cases from areas not receiving grants.
- The children's access to behavioral health services with improved telehealth capabilities will directly affect parents or guardians.
- Schools involved may benefit from reduced behavioral disruptions and better student performance due to improved mental health services.
- I will ensure to include common profiles like parents and rare profiles where the receiving of a grant alters the scenario significantly.
Simulated Interviews
nurse (rural Arkansas)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could really help my child get better care without traveling far.
- I am optimistic that telehealth access will improve handling mental health issues early.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
school counselor (urban California)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a real turning point, allowing us to integrate mental health services with educational support.
- Having remote sessions would mean students miss less classroom time for therapy.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
stay-at-home mom (rural New Mexico)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given our location, access to mental health services for my children has been challenging.
- If we could get telehealth options, it would alleviate so much stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
restaurant manager (suburban Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about balancing work and taking care of my kid's therapy schedules.
- The telehealth aspect would be more convenient if it applies here.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
pediatrician (urban New York)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s great to see efforts to integrate telehealth into pediatric mental care.
- Access through a telehealth program would benefit many of my patients by reducing waiting time.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
farmer (Rural Kansas)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this policy will directly impact me or my community unless it affects local schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
nonprofit worker (urban Chicago)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Nonprofits stepping in where states don't apply is a proactive approach.
- This could strengthen our organization's efforts to support mental health in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
elementary school teacher (suburban Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved behavioral health support would greatly aid students' learning environment.
- Telehealth could reach students who otherwise won't have access to services.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
emergency department physician (urban Mississippi)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our emergency department could significantly benefit from integrated telehealth services.
- Dealing with mental health effectively in minors can prevent ER visits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
therapist (suburban Virginia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding to expand services through telehealth will help meet overwhelming demand.
- Some families avoid therapy due to travel; telehealth could resolve this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $42000000 (Low: $37000000, High: $47000000)
Year 3: $44000000 (Low: $39000000, High: $49000000)
Year 5: $46000000 (Low: $41000000, High: $51000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Year 100: $70000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $75000000)
Key Considerations
- Continuity of funding can prevent disruption in ongoing mental health services for children.
- The shift to telehealth requires adequate technical infrastructure, training, and user readiness.
- Partnerships with nonprofits can broaden the reach but add layers of administrative complexity.
- Linking mental health services to schools deepens community level involvement and support.