Congressman Joyce Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Children’s Mental Health

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman John Joyce M.D. (PA-13) led a bipartisan group of members to introduce H.R.7248, the “Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act,” which would reauthorize critical grant programs that support mental health care for children across the country.

As the number of children in need of mental health services has risen in recent years, this legislation would provide much needed funding to support children and families who are struggling with mental illness.

Congressman Joyce is joined in introducing this legislation by Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Congressman Carlos Giménez (R-FL).

“Ensuring that children and their families have access to the mental health care, support, and services they need is critical to protecting our youth and fostering healthy development,” said Congressman Joyce. “That is why I am proud to lead this legislation that would reauthorize key grant programs to help our most vulnerable youth receive the top-of-the-line care and treatment that they need. I am grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this important work and look forward to the swift passage of this legislation.”

“COVID-19 revealed and exacerbated the unmet mental health needs of our nation’s children and adolescents. We must bolster pediatric mental health services to better support children now and in the future. I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation to expand access to programs that serve children’s individual needs and situations, improve their well-being and development and help them lead healthier, happier lives,” said Congressman Sarbanes.

“All families deserve the mental health services their children need to grow up healthy and thrive. Today, I joined Representatives Joyce, Sarbanes, and Gimenez to introduce the bipartisan Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act, which would fund community-based mental health care programs and expand initiatives to identify and provide support to young people at risk for substance use disorders. These critical investments will ensure kids and their families can access the care and support they need during this pandemic and beyond,” said Congresswoman Underwood.

Background:

This legislation would reauthorize two grants, the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances Program, and the Enhancement and Expansion of Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and their Families Grant Program from 2023 to 2027.

The Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances Program focuses on improving the mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, with serious emotional disturbances (SED), and their families. This program supports the implementation, expansion, and integration of the Systems of Care (SOC) approach by creating the sustainable infrastructure and services that are required as part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program.

The Enhancement and Expansion of Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and their Families Grant Program would work to enhance and expand comprehensive treatment, early intervention, and recovery support services for children and young adults who struggle with substance use disorders and their families.

You can read the full text of the legislation here.

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