U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) this week sponsored a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize two federal grant programs that support mental health care for America’s children from fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2027.
“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,” Rep. Joyce said. “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.”
The Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act, H.R. 7248, has three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). The legislation would reauthorize 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. Both are slated to expire at the end of FY 2022.
If enacted, the bill would authorize $125 million for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 for the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances Program, which focuses on improving mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, with serious emotional disturbances and their families, according to the text of the bill.
H.R. 7248 also would amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for the same time period the Enhancement and Expansion of Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and their Families Grant Program, which enhances and expands comprehensive treatment, early intervention and recovery support services for children and young adults who struggle with substance use disorders and their families.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this important work and look forward to the swift passage of this legislation,” said Rep. Joyce.