KERA News reports that advocates found Texas lawmakers made progress on eight recommendations in the state’s children’s behavioral health strategic plan.
Progress reviewed against state recommendations
KERA News, via KETR, reports that Texas lawmakers made progress on eight recommendations developed by the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council for the Legislature on improving children’s behavioral health. The recommendations were part of the Council’s Children’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan, according to KERA News.
According to KERA News, the Council released the strategic plan in December 2024. The report says the plan included more than 30 recommendations for the Texas Legislature concerning children’s behavioral health.
Advocates find partial implementation
KERA News reports that Texans Care for Children reviewed legislative action and found that lawmakers took steps last year to partially or fully implement less than a third of the plan’s recommendations. The advocacy organization identified progress on eight recommendations, according to KERA News.
The report does not characterize the recommendations as fully completed. Instead, KERA News describes the actions identified by Texans Care for Children as steps toward partial or full implementation.
Concerns about community-based services
One of the most concerning findings involved funding for the Youth Empowerment Services, or YES, waiver, according to KERA News. The YES waiver is a Medicaid program for children and youth with serious mental, emotional and behavioral difficulties.
KERA News reports that the program is intended to help children and young people remain in their homes and communities rather than enter residential treatment centers or inpatient facilities.
Muna Javaid, senior policy associate for child protection at Texans Care for Children, told KERA News that six percent of Texas youth enter the foster care system because of unmet mental health services or care. Javaid said funding community-based services makes institutionalization or entry into the juvenile justice or foster care systems less likely.
What this means for Texas patients
KERA News’ report highlights continuing attention to how Texas funds and carries out recommendations for children’s behavioral health services. For families seeking treatment locally, the directory lists 443 published clinics in Texas.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Texas reporting on policy & funding.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.