Biden Administration Invests $27 Million in Pediatric Mental Health Services

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is investing nearly $27 million to improve and expand mental health care for children. This funding will enhance pediatricians' ability to recognize and treat mental health conditions, and provide tele-consultation services to bring mental health expert support directly to pediatric primary care providers. The initiative aims to strengthen children's mental health services in hospitals and schools, addressing the urgent need for timely access to care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Biden Administration is investing nearly $27 million in pediatric mental health services, with funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the American Rescue Plan.
  • The initiative aims to train pediatricians and other children's health care providers in treating mental health conditions, and provide tele-consultation services to bring mental health expert support directly to pediatric primary care providers.
  • The program will support pediatric primary care providers, including pediatricians, family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, as well as school-based health providers and emergency department providers.
  • Forty-eight Pediatric Mental Health Access Program awardees will each receive $300,000 from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to expand mental health services in pediatric practices, schools, and emergency departments.
  • Three national organizations will receive a total of $3.2 million to provide technical assistance to grantees, including the School-Based Health Alliance, the University of Texas, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • New programs will be launched with multi-year American Rescue Plan funding totaling nearly $9 million.
  • The initiative is part of the Biden Administration's whole-of-government strategy to transform mental health services for all Americans.
  • The nation is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, with up to one in five children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.
  • The program will also support states in prioritizing and maximizing their efforts to strengthen children's mental health and well-being.

Statistics:

  • $27 million: The total investment in pediatric mental health services
  • 48: The number of Pediatric Mental Health Access Program awardees
  • $300,000: The amount each awardee will receive from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
  • $3.2 million: The total amount of technical assistance funding awarded to three national organizations
  • $9 million: The total amount of multi-year funding awarded through the American Rescue Plan
  • 1 in 5: The estimated number of children ages 3 to 17 with a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder
  • 40%: The percentage of high school students who struggle with persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  • Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
  • American Rescue Plan
  • HHS National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health
  • Biden-Harris Administration's whole-of-government strategy to transform mental health services for all
  • Joint letter to governors from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (July)
  • Joint letter to states, territories, tribes, and jurisdictions from HHS and Education (May)
  • School-Based Health Alliance
  • University of Texas
  • American Academy of Pediatrics