Bill > SB2153

This bill establishes a voluntary, evidence-based early childhood mental health home visiting program administered by the Tennessee Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, aiming to support the mental health, development, and stability of children from birth to five years old and their families. The program will provide intensive, in-home services to families facing significant challenges such as poverty, trauma, domestic violence, or parental substance abuse or mental health issues, with the goals of improving child outcomes, reducing abuse and neglect, enhancing parental skills, strengthening family stability through community resource connections, and promoting school readiness and long-term health equity. Key components include home-based parent-child psychotherapy by licensed clinicians trained in trauma-informed care, care coordination to link families with various services, developmental and mental health assessments for children, and adherence to evidence-based standards. Eligibility will be prioritized for families with young children at risk due to socioeconomic, environmental, or behavioral health factors, and the program can be implemented through contracts with qualified organizations, funded by federal, state, and private sources, potentially including TennCare. The bill also mandates coordination with existing programs, an annual report to the General Assembly on program outcomes and finances, and authorizes the departments to create rules for implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2153&ga=114