U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 290bb-39. Improving outcomes for children and adolescents through services integration between child welfare and mental health services

(a) In general

The Secretary shall award grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to provide integrated child welfare and mental health services for children and adolescents under 19 years of age in the child welfare system or at risk for becoming part of the system, and parents or caregivers with a mental illness or a mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse disorder.

(b) Duration

With respect to a grant, contract or cooperative agreement awarded under this section, the period during which payments under such award are made to the recipient may not exceed 5 years.

(1) In general

To be eligible to receive an award under subsection (a) of this section, a State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(2) Content

An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) describe the program to be funded under the grant, contract or cooperative agreement;

(B) explain how such program reflects best practices in the provision of child welfare and mental health services; and

(i) persons providing services under the grant, contract or cooperative agreement are adequately trained to provide such services; and

(ii) the services will be provided in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Use of funds

A State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under subsection (a) of this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract or cooperative agreement to—

(1) provide family-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated child welfare and mental health services, including prevention, early intervention and treatment services for children and adolescents, and for their parents or caregivers;

(2) ensure a single point of access for such coordinated services;

(3) provide integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment for children, adolescents, and parents or caregivers with a mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse disorder;

(4) provide training for the child welfare, mental health and substance abuse professionals who will participate in the program carried out under this section;

(5) provide technical assistance to child welfare and mental health agencies;

(6) develop cooperative efforts with other service entities in the community, including education, social services, juvenile justice, and primary health care agencies;

(7) coordinate services with services provided under the Medicaid program and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.];

(8) provide linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services; and

(9) evaluate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the integrated services that measure the level of coordination, outcome measures for parents or caregivers with a mental illness or a mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, and outcome measures for children.

(e) Distribution of awards

The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded under subsection (a) of this section are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States and between urban and rural populations.

(f) Evaluation

The Secretary shall evaluate each program carried out by a State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization under subsection (a) of this section and shall disseminate the findings with respect to each such evaluation to appropriate public and private entities.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

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