HHS awards grants to support youth mental health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration this month awarded $131.7 million in grants to programs that connect youth and families to behavioral health services. The Health Resources and Services Administration also awarded $55 million to expand access to mental health care for young people, including $19 million to help states integrate mental health care into pediatric practices. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20 million to improve mental health services for children involved in the child welfare system, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved a Medicaid state plan amendment to make more Medicaid funding available for school-based health services in Virginia.