Magaziner, Amo Announce $2.9 Million for Mental Health Services for Children

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Gabe Amo (RI-01) announced $2.9 million of funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families to improve mental health outcomes forchildren and youth with, or at risk of, serious emotional disturbances (SED).

“No one should have to struggle alone to get their child the mental health care they need,” said Magaziner. “This funding will strengthen access to care in Rhode Island so that kids facing serious emotional challenges can get the support they need early and have the opportunity to live happy, successful lives into adulthood.”

“Children struggling with their mental health and their families need our support,” said Amo. “This federal funding will help our dedicated mental health professionals support children and youth with severe emotional needs. Every struggling child deserves appropriate care so they can heal, grow, and thrive.”

The funding supports the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program, also known as the Children's Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), which provides resources to improve mental health outcomes for children and youth from birth through age 21 who are at risk for or living with serious emotional disturbances. Serious emotional disturbances, or SED, refer to mental, behavioral, or emotional conditions in children and youth that severely limit their ability to function at home or in school. 

These include conditions such as severe anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and other conditions that significantly disrupt a young person's daily life and development. 

The program helps create the sustainable infrastructure and services designed to help children and youth with SED successfully transition into adulthood.

The funding, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), supports services like in-home and community-based therapy, care coordination between schools, doctors, and social services, crisis intervention support, family and youth peer support programs, and case management to help families navigate the mental health system.