# Supporting Children's Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022

This bill pumps more money and resources into programs that help kids get mental health care, especially in areas where it's hard to find. Right now, many children struggle to access psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities. This bill addresses that problem by expanding and funding two main programs that connect kids with the mental health support they need.

The first part focuses on pediatric mental health teams—groups of doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and other specialists who work together to help children with mental health issues. The bill increases funding for these teams from $14 million to $30 million per year starting in 2026, and it expands what these teams can do. Now they can provide support directly to schools and emergency departments, which means kids can get help where they already are instead of having to travel to a separate clinic. The bill also makes it easier for nonprofit organizations to run these programs if a state doesn't apply for the funding itself, ensuring that kids in every area have a shot at getting help. Additionally, the bill adds developmental-behavioral pediatricians to the list of specialists who can be part of these teams, and requires teams to keep updated lists of community resources available to families.

The second part increases funding for programs focused on babies and young children's mental health from $20 million to $50 million over five years. This recognizes that mental health problems can start early, and getting help to infants and toddlers can prevent bigger issues down the road. The bill also sets aside money specifically for technical assistance and training to help these programs run effectively. Overall, this is designed to make mental health care more accessible to children across the country, particularly those in areas where mental health services are scarce.

Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022

Supporting Children's Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 two grant programs that support pediatric mental and behavioral health services and interventions. First, it reauthorizes and makes changes to a grant program for states, localities, and Indian tribes for statewide or regional telehealth access programs to promote the integration of behavioral health in pediatric primary care. Specific changes include allowing a nonprofit organization to receive the grant if the state (1) does not apply for the grant, and (2) supports the nonprofit's receipt of it. Additionally, recipients may use grant funds to support schools and emergency departments. Second, the bill reauthorizes a grant program for human services agencies and nonprofits to develop and maintain infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs.