2025-26 Oversight Testimony: Department of Behavioral Health
Children’s Law Center Behavioral Health Policy Analyst Chris Camble testified before DC Council’s Committee on Health regarding the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Our testimony identifies four areas in which the DBH should focus their efforts to make true sustained change. These areas include improving transparency regarding funding and availability of services, better integrating the perspectives of community members when engaging in planning, focusing on acting as a regulator in partnership with community-based organizations instead of prioritizing control of service provision, and prioritizing long-term strategic decision-making.
A Path Forward for DC’s Public Behavioral Health System
A Path Forward: Transforming the Public Behavioral Health System for Children, Youth, and their Families in the District of Columbia, is a blueprint for creating a successful public behavioral health system — one that supports children and families and, in doing so, strengthens our entire community.