Children in the state foster care and juvenile justice systems experiencing a behavioral health crisis will have expanded access to services under a new effort by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
MDHHS is asking congregate care providers to submit plans for placement in their facilities to address the needs of youth who must access mental health stabilization programs meaning services to stabilize and treat youth dealing with serious mental health concerns, like suicidal thoughts.
The department has issued a statewide request for proposals for new child-caring institution contracts and will begin implementing the new contracts in summer 2023.
MDHHS has contracts with 31 child-caring institutions to provide 800 beds, however, due to nationwide staffing shortages and other factors, these facilities provide fewer than 500 beds. The changes are expected to improve access to behavioral health services that youth in care need.
This effort is part of a multi-faceted approach by MDHHS to address a national need for expanded behavioral health services for youth.
MDHHS contracts with child-caring institutions to provide specialized treatment to youth in foster care or the juvenile justice system. In recent years it has been challenging in Michigan and nationally to find foster care and juvenile justice placements especially residential therapeutic treatment beds.
MDHHS has already taken action to address the challenge, including bipartisan support of legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to:
• Increase rates paid to the facilities.
• Increase funding for specialized programs.
• Put in place temporary wage increases for staff working in the facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Issue lump sum payment awards to help offset pandemic-related expenses and lost revenue.
MDHHS also has:
• Restructured the department to ensure behavioral health services are supported across community-based, residential and school locations, as well as other settings. The changes will benefit people of all ages, with addressing the needs of children and their families a top priority. This includes creation of the Bureau of Children's Coordinated Health Policy and Supports.
• Created a Health Care and Human Services Workforce Steering Committee that is involved in multiple efforts to recruit more behavioral health workers to address shortages.
• Created the Division of Child Safety and Program Compliance to assist and provide additional oversight of contracted agencies providing congregate care or place children in foster care homes or facilities.
To earn state contracts, facilities must demonstrate through the request for proposal process that they can meet the specialized needs of children.
To ensure contracted facilities are included in this reform, the department solicited input through provider surveys, in addition to hosting focus groups to hear from providers on the proposed reforms.
The department used this feedback to help refine goals for reform.
Agencies that would like to submit a proposal should go to the "Child Caring Institution Therapeutic Short-Term Treatment Program" Bid Number 230000000402 at www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS after registering on that website. For assistance, contact the Office of Financial Management at 517-284-0540 or 888-734-9749 and press "1" on the automated menu, or email SIGMA-Vendor@michigan.gov.
Vendors who have questions should call 517-249-0438 or email Mary Ostrowski at ostrowskim@michigan.gov.
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