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2019 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1700 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Aird
School-Based Health Centers (language only)

Item 127 #2h

Item 127 #2h

Education
Secretary of Education

Language

Page 126, after line 32, insert:

"D. The Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall establish a school-based health centers joint task force that includes representation from members of the General Assembly, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Office of Children's Services, and all other relevant state agencies and stakeholder groups deemed appropriate that shall be tasked with (i) assessing the current landscape of school-based services and mental health screening, evaluation, and treatment in school settings; (ii) in coordination with ongoing behavioral health transformation efforts of the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, developing best practice recommendations for trauma-informed school-based health centers as a vehicle for the provision of both medical and behavioral health delivered in school settings; and (iii) developing a plan for establishing a Virginia affiliate member organization, recognized by the national School-Based Health Alliance, for the purposes of providing technical assistance and guidance for localities interested in bolstering or implementing current and future school-based health centers.

The task force shall work in coordination with the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and may serve as an advisory body to other relevant committees, commissions, and members of the General Assembly on school-based health matters. The task force shall convene a minimum of four meetings and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Education and Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1, 2019."



Explanation

(This amendment directs the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health to create a task force group to review the merits of School Based Health Centers in the public schools in Virginia. School Based Health Centers are included in the scope of work for the larger Behavioral Health Transformation effort and seeks to better align and organize various efforts and interested parties working on improving behavioral and medical health access in schools.

There are several work groups, efforts and interested parties looking to improve behavioral health access in the school setting, to include the Governor's Children's Cabinet, the Speaker's Student Safety Committee, and the Behavioral Health Transformation workgroup among others.)