Houston Public Media and KERA report that lawmakers made partial or full progress on eight recommendations in Texas’ children’s behavioral health plan.
Eight recommendations saw action
According to Houston Public Media and KERA, Texas lawmakers made progress on eight of more than 30 recommendations intended to improve children’s behavioral health. The outlet reported that the recommendations were developed by the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council for the Texas Legislature.
Houston Public Media and KERA reported that Texans Care for Children reviewed lawmakers’ actions last year and found that they had partially or fully implemented fewer than one-third of the recommendations. Texans Care for Children is described by the outlet as an advocacy organization.
Plan released in 2024
According to Houston Public Media and KERA, the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council released its Children’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan in December 2024. The plan included more than 30 recommendations for the Legislature concerning children’s behavioral health.
The outlet reported that many of the recommendations concern access to services that can help children remain in their homes or communities rather than enter institutional settings. Houston Public Media and KERA did not describe the eight recommendations that lawmakers addressed in the supplied report extract.
Focus on community-based services
Houston Public Media and KERA reported that Muna Javaid, senior policy associate for child protection at Texans Care for Children, identified funding for the Youth Empowerment Services, or YES, waiver as a major concern.
According to the outlet, the YES waiver is a Medicaid program for Texas children and youth with serious mental, emotional and behavioral difficulties. The program’s services are intended to help children stay in their homes and communities instead of entering residential treatment or inpatient facilities.
Houston Public Media and KERA also reported Javaid’s statement that 6% of Texas youth enter the foster care system because of unmet mental health services or care. Javaid said that supporting and funding community-based services could reduce the likelihood of institutionalization, juvenile justice involvement or entry into the foster care system.
What this means for Texas patients
For Texas families looking for treatment locally, this report highlights the state-level focus on children’s behavioral health services and community-based support. The directory lists 443 published clinics in Texas.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Texas reporting on youth & families.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.