Bill > HB26

This bill establishes a school-linked behavioral health grant program administered by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to support mental health services for K-12 students. The program aims to help schools identify and intervene early for students with mental health or substance use disorders. Eligible applicants include community service boards, community mental health centers, licensed healthcare providers specializing in mental health treatment, and Medicaid providers offering mental health services to children and families. Grant activities can include diagnosing mental health conditions, providing treatment services (including telehealth), supporting families in navigating healthcare and social services, offering transportation for behavioral health services, building school staff capacity through training, and purchasing equipment needed for telehealth services. Grantees are required to seek third-party reimbursement (excluding local school systems) and must serve students regardless of their health coverage or ability to pay. Additionally, grant recipients must collect and provide data to the department to help evaluate the program's effectiveness, with the ultimate goal of supporting students' mental health needs in the classroom and beyond.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69306