Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $20 million to launch the first-ever National Center for Child Welfare Competent Mental Health Services (the Center). As part of HHS’ Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration, this investment is one of many ways that ACF is working to answer the Biden Harris Administration’s call to transform the delivery of mental health care in the U.S.
The recipient of the award is the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.). They will work with national leaders as well as parents and young adults with lived experience to deliver new and enhanced support and training to states, tribes, territories, professionals, and peer support professionals to meet the needs of children and families. The Center will be funded at $4 million for each of the five-year award.
“The adoption journey is full of joy and love, but also challenges,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild. “ACF is proud to support the Center and the child welfare workforce to ensure that children, young adults, and families who consider and experience adoption have access to mental health professionals who are trained to provide culturally and linguistically relevant mental health services to address separation, grief, trauma, and other challenges that can arise.”