SB 2153

This bill authorizes t he department of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based, and home-based intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of children from birth to five and their families. The purpose of the program is to provide intensive, home-based services to families with young children facing significant stressors, including poverty, trauma, domestic violence, or parental mental health or substance abuse challenges. The program must aim to ( i ) i mprove child mental health and developmental outcomes , ( ii ) r educe the incidence of child abuse and neglect , ( iii ) e nhance parental capacity to support child development , ( iv ) s trengthen family stability through coordinated access to community resources , and ( v ) p romote school readiness and long-term health equity. PROGRAM COMPONENTS This bill requires the program to include ( i ) h ome-based parent-child psychotherapy delivered by licensed clinicians trained in evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions; ( ii ) c are coordination to connect families with medical, educational, housing, and social services; ( iii ) d evelopmental and mental health assessments for children; and ( iv ) f idelity monitoring to ensure adherence to evidence-based standards established by the department of health. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY This bill requires t he department of health to prioritize for eligibility families with children from birth to five who are at risk due to socioeconomic, environmental, or behavioral health challenges, as determined by the department of health in consultation with the department of mental health and substance abuse services. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION This bill authorizes the department of health to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations, community mental health providers, or other entities to deliver program services. Providers must employ or contract with licensed clinicians and care coordinators who are trained in the program's evidence-based model, as approved by the department of health. T he department of health must establish guidelines for provider qualifications, training, and program evaluation to ensure fidelity to the program's evi dence-based standards. FUNDING This bill authorizes t he department of health and the department of mental health and substance abuse services to seek and accept federal funds, state appropriations, grants, and private donations to support the program. The program may be funded, in whole or in part, through TennCare, subject to agreements with managed care organizations for reimbursement of medically necessary services. In order t o supplement funding of the program, the department of health must explore partnerships with philanthropic organizations and other community stakeholders. COORDINATION WITH EXISTING PROGRAMS This bill requires the program to coordinate with existing state initiatives to maximize resources and avoid the duplication of services. ANNUAL REPORT No later than January 15 following any calendar year during which the program is implemented, this bill requires the department of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, to submit a report to the general assembly detailing ( i ) t he number of families served by the program; ( ii ) p rogram outcomes, including improvements in child mental health, family stability, and service coordination; ( iii ) f unding sources and expenditures; and ( iv ) r ecommendations for program expansion or improvement. RULEMAKING This bill authorizes the department of health, in consultation with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, to promulgate rules to implement this bill.