Provisions in New York state's 2024 budget will have resounding impacts across the state.

Along with $60 million to improve youth mental health services, the budget includes $1 billion to grow the state's capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Additionally, the funding will expand outpatient services and boost insurance coverage.

Not every proposed provision made it to the final budget.

Olivia Knox, New York State chapter policy coordinator for the National Association of Social Workers, said one dropped provision was payment parity for telehealth services.

"As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits almost now exceed in-person visits," Knox pointed out. "That option would have ensured the health of both the client and the provider while still engaging in the life-changing work."

During the first few months of the pandemic, telehealth visits increased 154%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knox added another dropped provision was a private right of action for people to be able to sue insurance companies for parity law violations.

The budget also addresses low wages mental health workers have been facing, through a 4% cost-of-living adjustment, almost half of the proposed 8.5%. Knox argued other issues need to be addressed in future budgets.

"Continued discussions around maternal mental health and our youth mental health are really crucial to addressing the most vulnerable populations in our state," Knox contended. "We would love to see social workers in school districts addressing the mental-health needs of school-aged children."

She noted there will be a continued battle to ensure social workers get pay increases to retain them in the field. A National Association of Social Workers New York Chapter report shows 34% of social workers surveyed are at the same salary when they started their job, which on average was one to five years ago.

The growing crisis in Ohio's child welfare system is drawing attention, particularly for its impact on children's mental health.

Across the state, children with complex behavioral needs are struggling as placement options shrink and demand for specialized care reaches an all-time high.

Lindsay Sparks, protective services administrator for the South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, Children's Division & Adult Protective Services, noted that despite efforts with mental-health providers, many agencies lack the resources to handle severe cases.

"We have had a young child, under the age of 10, who we have about 45 denials across the state, they feel that they cannot meet that child's needs," she said. "Children have had to spend the night at our agency. That is not ideal for our children, for our staff, for anyone - but it has happened."

In some cases, Sparks added, agencies are forced to seek out-of-state placements - which can further complicate care for children already facing significant challenges. Recruitment efforts for foster families are ongoing, but the gap remains wide.

The crisis extends beyond placement shortages to escalating mental health concerns. Jody Walker, executive director of South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, highlighted how these issues have worsened over the past decade.

"The types of children that we're seeing coming into care, that have more severe behavioral mental health issues, and our system really hasn't been able to keep up with types of placements that benefit these kids the most," he said. "The cost for those placements went up, at the tune of 300% in the last 10 years."

As Ohio faces rising costs and limited resources, the County Commissioners Association has made child welfare a top priority in the upcoming biennial budget. The association is applauding Governor Mike DeWine's commitment to children, and stresses that counties play a vital role in protecting them.

As mental health challenges continue to rise among young people, advocates across North Carolina are pushing for increased access to mental health services in schools.

They are watching the upcoming election for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction closely.

Kathleen Daughety, vice president of campaigns and engagement for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, said the outcome could significantly help fill gaps in access to mental health services for children across the state.

"Increasing access to mental health care is our focus because half of people in the US who need mental health care are not getting it today," Daughety pointed out. "That number is even worse for children; 70% of children who need mental health care aren't able to access it."

A recent poll by Inseparable showed it is an issue resonating with voters. About 88% believe expanding mental health care access should be a top priority for elected officials.

Graham Palmer, director of systems innovation and policy for the nonprofit Rural Opportunity Institute, explained barriers like broadband and workforce shortages and limited funding make it difficult to provide the necessary services, especially in rural areas. He believes schools can make a life-changing difference for kids.

"Sometimes schools are the only access point that systems of care can get to for kids, because there's transportation challenges," Palmer explained. "There may be time challenges, if the student has a job or they just don't have extra time to be driving an hour to see a therapist."

The Superintendent of Public Instruction would play a key role in shaping school policies, funding, and resources directly affecting whether schools can provide mental health services. The Democratic candidate, Maurice "Mo" Green recently signed Inseparable's "Mental Health Now" statement of support. He worked as the superintendent of North Carolina's third-largest school district and pointed out addressing the workforce is going to be crucial to giving students the support they need.

"The school psychologist's major association would recommend a ratio of about one school psychologist," Green noted. "For every 500 students, in North Carolina that ratio is almost 1 to 1,800."

Green is facing off against Republican nominee Michelle Morrow, who is a nurse and homeschool educator in Wake County. Her campaign website shows she supports school choice and increasing school resource officers.

Advocates are also calling for state policymakers to invest in expanded school-based mental health programs and improve crisis response efforts.


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Parents in North Dakota are likely getting a sense of how their child's school year is going so far. If bullying issues have emerged, the research community hopes educators and families take a careful approach to achieve better outcomes now and in the future.

Throughout Bullying Prevention Month in October, messaging on this topic is likely to be prominent in school settings.

Shelley Hymel, a retired developmental and educational psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia has done extensive research in this field. She said it's no surprise that repeated bullying can negatively affect a student's academic performance, and how they deal with problems the rest of their lives.

Hymel wants anyone who still thinks it makes a child more resilient to think again.

"Kids who are victimized, you know, just sit there all day wondering what's going to happen to them next. I've had notes from kids saying how that's their life, that's how their world is," she said.

Hymel said that's why it's important for schools to not lose sight of social and emotional learning and teach children empathy. North Dakota law requires districts to adopt a bullying policy and explain it to students. On its website, the Department of Public Instruction offers guidance for parents, including listening calmly and offering comfort and support if their child says they're being targeted.

Hymel said researchers are still finding new tidbits of information, even after schools have adopted successful approaches. For example, in school settings where bullying was significantly reduced, the few remaining students still being singled out had it even worse.

"When you end up being the last kid, the one kid who was still being bullied, it takes a toll on your self esteem," she explained.

That's why the academic community, schools, and parents need to remain vigilant about overcoming any side effects as policies take shape, she added. Earlier this year, British researchers released findings showing bullying in childhood lowers the probability of having a job throughout adulthood, and puts a person at greater risk for premature death.


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