Relates to implementing "the children's plan"

Section 2 of the bill amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new section 7.43 entitled "The Children's Plan" to update the Office of Mental Health's role in overseeing implementation of the Plan which was released in October 2008 and assisting the Council on Children and Families with developing future reports and plans. It provides that future reports shall also be made a discrete part of OMH's statewide comprehensive five year plans.

Section 3 of the bill amends section 5.07 of the mental hygiene law to require that OMH's comprehensive plan include progress reports on the implementation of the short and long term recommendations of the children's plan.

Section 4 of the bill amends the Social Services Law to outline the Council on Children and Families' role in assisting OMH in implementing the plan and preparing reports every two years beginning in October 2010 that shall be approved by all of the child-serving agencies including the Council, OMH, OMRDD, OASAS, CQCAPD, OCFS, SED, DOH & DPCA.

Section 5 of the bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing law

Chapters 667 of 2006 and 120 of 2007 established The Children's Mental Health Plan.

Justification

The Children's Mental Health Plan was established in 2006 and amended in 2007 to assure community input and participation in all local mental hygiene planning activities. The Plan was envisioned to contain short-term and long-term recommendations to provide comprehensive, coordinated mental health assessments, early intervention and treatment services for children from birth until age 18. It sought recommendations on such issues as interagency and inter-provider coordination, the incorporation of social and emotional development into our education system, integrating various funding streams to serve children and families, qualified workforce sensitive to mental health needs, and facilitating best practices among other issues.

The Office of Mental Health convened a steering committee and workgroups which developed recommendations. Over 125 individuals representing all the major interest groups were involved. The draft plan was then shared with nearly 1,000 stakeholders during a series of forums and dialogues. The result was THE CHILDREN'S PLAN: IMPROVING THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING OF NEW YORK'S CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES .ct. The Plan was signed by all nine child-serving agencies and was released in October 2008. It is intended to communicate the shared vision of promoting social and emotional development and engage all New Yorkers in supporting this vision. Included are specific recommendations that the child-serving agencies and family and youth partners will work toward implementing.

The process has been an evolution and this bill attempts to update the original vision of a Children's Mental Health Plan with the more holistic plan that it has become. It incorporates the involvement of all nine child-caring agencies and family and youth partners and places the role of coordinating these many agencies and stakeholders in the Council on Children and Families. It also gives the Council, with the assistance of OMH, the role of developing future reports and plans. Reports are required every two years beginning in October 2010.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

No new cost and reduces costs by reducing the reporting requirements.

Effective date

Immediately.