SCR 11: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO COVER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL-BASED SETTINGS.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Human Services Med-Quest Division to cover Behavioral Health SERVICES for Children in School‑based settings.

     WHEREAS, Medicaid coverage is essential to ensuring that children and adolescents have equitable access to quality healthcare; and

     WHEREAS, there is a worsening mental health crisis among children and adolescents; and

     WHEREAS, school-based behavioral health services can improve access to care and allow for early identification and treatment of mental health issues; and

     WHEREAS, school-based behavioral health services have been associated with positive outcomes, especially for children at increased risk for poor mental health; and

     WHEREAS, making behavioral health services available in school-based settings increases access to those services by reducing transportation and geographic barriers, as well as easing caregiver burdens by eliminating the need for parents or guardians to take time off from work; and

     WHEREAS, although schools can be the setting for and providers of Medicaid-covered services, the Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services has the leading role in determining which services are covered by Medicaid when furnished in or by schools and how school-based providers are paid; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to cover behavioral health services for children and adolescents in school-based settings; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Director of Human Services, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of Health, Administrator of the Med-QUEST Division, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health, and Administrator of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.

Report Title: 

Behavioral Health; Mental Health; Services; Schools; MED-QUEST; Department of Human Services; Department of Education; Department of Health