Policy Fact Sheet: Medicaid Coverage of Family and Youth Peer Support
Family and youth peer support work is anchored in shared lived experience, strategic sharing of personal story, and emotional support. It offers a unique approach and benefit when integrated within prevention services or as a component of behavioral health interventions. Research has demonstrated benefits to youth, families, and systems.
Despite the promise of these services, however, the state of Connecticut has yet to join the 33 other states that offer Medicaid reimbursement and coverage for family and youth peer support.
On January 15, CHDI's Aleece Kelly, MPP, presented at the 3rd Annual Moving Beyond Implications: Research Into Policy Conference, hosted by the Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) at the state's Legislative Office Building. She shared research backing the effectiveness of family and youth peer support, provided an overview of the current national and Connecticut landscape for these services, and explained why CHDI strongly recommends changing the state's Medicaid policy to allow reimbursement for this critical work.
To learn more, download our policy fact sheet:
You can also watch Kelly's full conference presentation in this CT-N video: