Issue Brief 93: Strengthening Children’s Behavioral Health Systems of Care
Given the high prevalence of behavioral health conditions among youth—costing the U.S. health care system an estimated $247 billion annually—it has never been more important for state behavioral health systems to put forward comprehensive, system-level solutions. Yet, states may overlook the importance of system infrastructure to high functioning and efficient behavioral health systems.
This Issue Brief considers infrastructure within the context of state-level children’s behavioral health system building. It provides states with a definition of infrastructure in this context, offers five essential elements of infrastructure, and describes the role of public-private partnerships in enhancing system infrastructure.
This Issue Brief was prepared by CHDI's Jeffrey Vanderploeg, PhD.