|
| |
IN THIS ISSUE
Policy Corner
News Feed
Training & Events
Resources
Job Announcements
| | |
Hear what conference faculty Darquita Fletcher is most excited for at the upcoming 2025 Training Institutes!
"You are going to love the community, the energy, the fun, and all the cool things that you’re going to learn to take back to your organization."
Learn more & register:
s.uconn.edu/registerti2025
| |
| |
Policy Corner
Commemorating 15 Years of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
| | |
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148) has significantly enhanced healthcare access, coverage, and services for children and families since it was signed into law in 2010. From 2013 to 2023 the number of children without health insurance decreased from 7.5 to 5.4% (ACS, 2024), with a historic low of 4.7% in 2016. The percent of youth ages 14-24 without health insurance from 2018-2022 is estimated at 11%, down from 21% a decade prior.
The following ACA provisions significantly expanded access and coverage for children and families:
-
Medicaid Expansion and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Protections: Expands Medicaid eligibility to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, allowing millions of low-income families to gain coverage, particularly in states that had previously imposed stricter eligibility requirements. A large body of research shows Medicaid expansion increased utilization of health services, diagnosis and treatment, and improved health outcomes and financial well-being.
-
Essential Health Benefits (EHB): Requires all individual and small group plans to cover ten EHBs, including mental health and substance use disorder services and behavioral health treatment, prescription drugs, preventive and wellness services, and pediatric services. Access to these services is linked to improved health outcomes.
-
Dependent Coverage to Age 26: Requires commercial insurance plans to allow adult children to remain on their parents' health plans to age 26, benefiting millions of young adults.
-
Streamlined Enrollment & Coverage Continuity: Simplifies the application and renewal process for Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplace plans, creating a single application to determine eligibility/subsidies. Continuous coverage protections have reduced gaps in insurance for children and families.
Research demonstrates that poverty and poor health are deeply interconnected. Childhood poverty is linked to poor health outcomes that begin before birth and worsen over time; these early health disparities contribute to broader inequities in adulthood, affecting education, income, and overall well-being (Brookings). While the ACA's primary focus was healthcare access, various financial protections (i.e., subsidies for private insurance, reduced out-of-pocket costs, no-cost preventive services) have had ancillary benefits in reducing child poverty.
To learn more about Medicaid Unwinding post COVID, please see the April 8, 2024 TA Telegram. To learn more about meeting the health care needs of children and youth, contact Innovations Institute.
Resources:
Authored by Becky Lieman, MSW, Marketing Coordinator, Innovations Institute
| |
CMS Information Bulletin on HRSN
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin (IB) on Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN), rescinding previous guidance. CMS stated that they will consider states' applications to cover HRSN services and supports on a case-by-case basis under the Social Security Act and federal regulations, without reference to the 11/23 or 12/24 IBs on the previously-issued HRSN Framework.
| | | | |
CMMI Announces Model Portfolio Changes
The CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) announced changes to its model portfolio, including considering options to reduce the size of the Integrated Care for Kids awards or make other changes to the model.
| |
CSG Launches New Initiative
The Council of State Governments (CSG) recently launched the Collaborating for Youth & Public Safety Initiative (CYPSI) to help states expand community-based services that keep youth out of the justice system, reduce recidivism, and prevent violence. CSG will partner with multiple states to develop statewide action plans that strengthen public safety while improving behavioral health, education, and long-term outcomes for youth. For questions about CYPSI or to submit a letter of interest, please contact jweber@csg.org.
| | |
Community Corner*
Kentucky Summer Camp for Students Experiencing Homelessness
| | A non-profit that helps students who are homeless is expanding its reach, bringing a summer program to children ages 5 to 14 in Kentucky’s Fairfield City School District. The UpSpring Summer 360 camp program will open a third site at an elementary school, joining two others located in Florence, KY and Cincinnati, OH. This will be the 28th year camps are offered. Instruction in math and literacy fill camper mornings while afternoons are devoted to enrichment in fitness, arts, and STEM. Besides instruction, the program focuses on the social and emotional development of children. “We reinforce the message you can succeed, you should have hope,” Katie Jensen, Upspring’s development and marketing director said. Participants receive breakfast, lunch, and a snack each day along with a weekend food pack. One day a week campers go on an all-day field trip. The program prevents summer learning loss and fosters both academic and personal growth. It also provides stability for children who face housing instability. | | |
*Community Corner features innovative work that transforms child-, youth-, and family-serving systems and services. Send us information about your program or project to be highlighted here by emailing us at TAtelegram@uconn.edu. | | | | | |
Recovery Science Webinar
Join the Opioid Response Network and the Recovery Research Institute for a presentation reviewing barriers to optimum outcomes in adolescents and young adults with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), as well as approaches for overcoming them, particularly pertaining to developmentally-informed treatment strategies, including family involvement.
Improving Treatment OUD in Youth
Wednesday, March 26
12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
| |
Federal Budget & Policy Webinar
Join SchoolHouse Connection and the National Network for Youth to hear how the FY2025 budget and FY2026 appropriations and budget reconciliation will impact children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Tips for educating legislators in the current environment will also be shared.
Federal Policy Update on Child & Youth Homelessness
Wednesday, March 26
12:30 – 1:30 PM ET
| | | | |
Recovery & Peer Services
Join SAMHSA and National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery for this session showcasing the transformative impact of peer-run services in promoting recovery and wellness.
Peers Making an Impact in Crisis Care
Wednesday, March 26
2:30 PM ET
| |
CCJR Interactive Lunch & Learn
This session from the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CCJR) will center the efforts of Bannock County, Idaho to build data capacity in order to improve understanding of how collaboration across the youth legal and child welfare systems impacts those they serve.
Advancing Data Efforts to Build & Sustain Interagency Coordination
Thursday, March 27
1:00 – 1:45 PM ET
| | | | |
Workforce Wellness Series
This workshop from the Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center aims to equip the crisis workforce with tools to recognize, prevent, and address burnout. The content will cover the prevalence and impact of burnout in crisis response settings and identify key contributing factors.
Stress & Burnout in the Crisis Workforce
Thursday, April 3
2:00 PM ET
| | | |
MACPAC March 2025 Report to Congress
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its March 2025 Report to Congress on Medicaid & CHIP, which proposes recommendations to improve transparency in Medicaid managed care, enhance access to home- and community-based services, and reduce state and federal administrative burdens.
| |
JED Foundation Video Series
The JED Foundation and YouTube teamed up with well-known content creators for the video series Mind Matters: Creators Open Up About Mental Health, designed to support teens as they navigate mental health challenges and equip them with knowledge and tools to understand the importance of mental well-being, cope with emotional experiences and hardships, and seek help when needed.
| | |
Innovations Institute is Hiring!
Don't miss this opportunities to join our team:
| | |
Do you have a job opportunity you would like to share with the field?
Be sure to indicate any applicant deadlines.
| | | | |
