CHDI NEWSLETTER
April 2025
In this month's issue:
- Read CHDI testimony on funding needs of Connecticut behavioral health services
- See findings from a new survey of behavioral health providers
- Watch a new video about CHDI's approach to quality improvement in children's behavioral health
- Find resources to help Connecticut schools support student mental health and well-being
- Get ideas for Mental Health Awareness Month
- Meet our newest staff member
| | CHDI Testifies on Funding Needs of Children's Behavioral Health System in Connecticut | | On April 3, CHDI President and CEO Jeff Vanderploeg, PhD, testified before the Connecticut General Assembly's Appropriations Committee. He urged legislators to increase reimbursement rates and funding for behavioral health providers as well as invest in workforce development and system infrastructure. | | | New Survey of Connecticut Behavioral Health Providers Reveals Deep Commitment to Families Amid Ongoing Challenges | | Last year, many of you participated in a statewide survey of Connecticut behavioral health professionals. Survey findings are now in, and they demonstrate providers' deep commitment to kids and families while revealing ongoing workforce challenges with pay, early career training, and turnover. | | | VIDEO: How We Approach Quality Improvement in Children's Behavioral Health | | |
What do we mean by "Quality Improvement" in children's behavioral health care? As this new video explains, quality improvement (QI) ensures that the services and systems we invest in work effectively and efficiently for the children and youth who need them, using data analysis, reporting, standardized training, and consultation.
Behavioral health providers, educators, and policymakers trust CHDI's QI data and reports to inform decisions on what is working, where improvements are needed, and where to allocate resources. Visit our website to learn more about our process and current QI projects:
| | Recruitment for 2025-26 Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) to Begin in May | | |
CHDI will soon begin recruiting new schools and districts to participate in the Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) for the 2025-26 school year!
SBDI works to the reduce rate of in-school arrests, expulsions, and out-of-school suspensions for students with behavioral health needs. To date, SBDI has been implemented in 76 schools across 26 Connecticut school districts.
| | | Visit the SBDI website to learn more about the initiative and get involved: | | Helping Schools Navigate Connecticut Mental Health Resources | | | | |
As Connecticut schools and districts plan for the 2025-26 school year, we're re-sharing Connecting to Care's School Mental Health Resource and Support Guide.
The guide helps schools navigate the many mental health resources and supports available in the state, including the CONNECT IV Students initiative, and provides additional resources to empower youth and families.
| | CHDI serves as the statewide Coordinating Center for Connecting Schools to Care IV Students (CONNECT IV). CONNECT IV Partners include the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, CHDI, Carelon Behavioral Health, FAVOR, Inc., and The Consultation Center at Yale. | | Jeana Bracey Interviewed on Workforce Shortages Impacting School Mental Health Efforts | | | | CHDI Associate Vice President of School and Community Initiatives, Jeana Bracey, PhD, was recently quoted in a news article on how workforce shortages are affecting school mental health services in Connecticut. | | Planning for Mental Health Awareness Month | | Connecting to Care has released its annual "31 Days of Wellness" calendar ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Each day has a suggested activity related to self-care, learning about or raising awareness of behavioral health issues, or helping others. Some activities are Connecticut-specific, but most can be done by anyone! | | | CHDI at 2025 Training Institutes | | CHDI staff and our partners are planning a series of engaging presentations at this year's Training Institutes: Building a World Where Young People Thrive! Organized by the Innovations Institute at the UConn School of Social Work, the Training Institutes bring together experts and leaders from across the country who are working to transform public systems, programs, and services for children, youth, young adults, and their families. | Stay tuned for additional details about where you can find CHDI at the conference! | | | Teaching Social Work Students About Youth Substance Use | | | | |
Senior Associate Christine Hauser, LSCW, LADC, recently helped lead a webinar for UConn School of Social Work students on recognizing and responding to youth substance use and co-occurring disorders.
The presentation, co-led with partners from Community Health Resources, provided an overview of best practices and current services in Connecticut, including SBIRT-PATHS and CT-TREE.
| | Teni Akinosho Joins CHDI Data Team | | Please help us welcome Teni Akinosho, MPH to CHDI as a Data Analyst. Teni will support CHDI's quality improvement work related to youth mobile crisis and evidence-based practices. Teni recently completed a Master's in Public Health at the University of New Haven and brings data and evaluation experience with global nonprofit organizations. Welcome, Teni! | | Join one of the "Best Places to Work in Connecticut"! |
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025-26
Applications for CHDI's 2025-26 Postdoctoral Fellowship are closing soon! The Fellow will work on one or more initiatives focused on improving children’s behavioral health in Connecticut, with an emphasis on working at the systems, policy, and practice levels.
View full details on our website, and please share with your networks!
| | | |
The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing effective and integrated system, practice, and policy solutions that result in optimal behavioral health and well-being for children, youth, and families in Connecticut and beyond.
Is there anything you want to see in future newsletters? Let us know here or reply to this email.
| | The CHDI logo and wording Bridge to Better are registered trademarks. | | | | |
