AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation last week before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that aims to expand the availability of children's behavioral health services in the state.
LD 1440 would require the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of MaineCare Services and the Office of Child and Family Services to develop a course curriculum, credential and career path for behavioral health professionals seeking to provide community-based services to children. The bill would require that the course curriculum be offered through Maine's community colleges or through a contracted agency with multiple locations in the state. It also would require an increase in MaineCare program rates for the services provided by behavioral health professionals with this enhanced training.
"Children's behavioral health services are needed more than ever," said Madigan. "We need to look at new pathways for attracting behavioral health professionals and ensuring they have adequate education, training and compensation. Together, the provisions in this bill will lead to better recruitment and retention and, as a result, improved access to these services."
In January, there were 51 children on the waitlist for behavioral health services in Kennebec County. The average time spent on the waitlist for these services was 6 months.
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislatures Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744