2023-24 Oversight Testimony: Department of Behavioral Health
Children’s Law Center Path Forward Project Lead Amber Rieke testified before the DC Council’s Committee on Health regarding the Department of Behavioral Health. Our testimony reviews the performance of several impactful DBH programs that have made progress, including the School Based Behavioral Health Program and Healthy Futures. We also elevate specific challenges to be addressed this year, including reimbursement rates for providers, the transition of behavioral health services from the Department of Behavioral Health into Medicaid Managed Care Organization contracts, workforce shortages, and public data & reporting.
Learn about Our Behavioral Health Work
Although tens of thousands of DC children have behavioral health needs, only a fraction of them actually receive timely supports and services. At Children’s Law Center, we know that many of the children we work with – including children in the foster care system or receiving special education services – only need our help because their needs have gone unaddressed.