Behavioral health services, including treatment for substance use disorders, are included as essential health-care services under private health insurance and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). Other options for many children and families include federally funded programs such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) services. Find resources in this section related to the various funding sources for behavioral health and wellness services.
The Behavioral Health and Wellness section has replaced both the Mental Health and the Substance Abuse sections on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website. Please update your bookmarks.
- Behavioral health: Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act
- Behavioral health and EPSDT
- Substance use disorder legislation
Integrating Safety, Permanency and Well-Being in Child Welfare
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau (2014)
Intends to further the national dialogue on the topic of well-being and how incorporating and emphasizing well-being in child welfare can result in better outcomes for children and families and the overall child welfare system. This series of papers builds on the Administration on Children, Youth and Families’ 2012 information memorandum Promoting Social and Emotional Well-Being for Children and Youth Receiving Child Welfare Services (PDF - 149 KB).
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Provides a variety of information and resources related to substance abuse and mental health with the goal of improving the overall behavioral health and wellness for individuals, children, and families in the nation. SAMHSA's Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and offers a variety of child welfare resources.
Tri-Agency Letter on Trauma-Informed Treatment (PDF - 136 KB)
Sheldon, Tavenner, & Hyde (2013)
Administration for Children and Families, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Encourages the integrated use of trauma-focused screening, functional assessments and evidence-based practices in child-serving settings for the purpose of improving child well-being. This guidance letter discusses the agencies' ongoing partnership to address complex, interpersonal trauma and improve social-emotional health among children involved with child welfare.