Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Office of Quality Assurance for Children’s Programs, announced the completion of the Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health Services Semi-Annual Quality and Outcomes Report. This biannual report underscores DoHS’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes and key outcomes for children with serious emotional disorders, offering critical insights to enhance the state’s mental health systems.

“This insight allows the Department to explore and understand its systems and their impacts in ever-evolving manners, expanding opportunities to identify and address needs and strengths within the layers of the children’s mental health system,” said Laura Hunt, DoHS Office of Quality Assurance for Children’s Programs Director. “The Department’s enhanced children’s mental health system has maintained a trajectory for growth and is expected to continue to help families thrive.”

The report reveals significant findings:

1. **Increased Demand and Utilization of Services**: Post-pandemic, there has been a rise in both the need for mental health services and awareness of West Virginia’s mental health infrastructure. Emergency Department visits for mental health issues increased from 8.3% in late 2022 to 11.4% in early 2023. However, residential mental health treatment facility placements saw a smaller increase, indicating effective diversion through home and community-based services.

2. **Assessment Pathway Success**: The Assessment Pathway connects children and families to necessary services during evaluation. The report indicates that 83% of children approved for the Children with Serious Emotional Disorder Waiver (CSEDW) received timely connection to mental health services compared to only 60% prior to CSEDW application.

3. **Record Referrals**: Referrals to the Assessment Pathway peaked at nearly 400 in December 2023 due to a successful outreach campaign and enhanced networking with education, social work, and counseling professionals.

4. **WV Wraparound Services**: Enrollment in WV Wraparound services has nearly doubled compared to residential treatment facility use, with 1,649 children enrolled as of December 2023 compared to approximately 850 children in residential facilities.

5. **CSEDW Amendments**: As of July 1, 2024, updates have been made to improve workforce quality, provider reimbursement, service quality, and timely access under CSEDW.

DoHS continues prioritizing data quality and early intervention efforts aimed at reducing unnecessary out-of-home placements. As of March 2024, Qualified Independent Assessment referrals exceeded residential treatment admissions.

In collaboration with partners such as Casey Family Programs and Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), DoHS is developing new care models supporting children needing residential treatment. The “West Virginia Needs You Now” campaign launched in March focuses on recruiting foster homes for teenagers with complex mental and behavioral health needs.

For more information on resources for children and families with behavioral or mental health needs, visit kidsthrive.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx or call the Children’s Crisis and Referral Line at (844) 435-7498. To view career opportunities in behavioral health field visit dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/Career-Opportunities.aspx.