The Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently asked for comments on its new “Blueprint for Change: Guiding Principles for Advancing the System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and Families” (PDF, 209KB) document. APA submitted comments that highlighted a few areas where the guiding principles could be improved.
APA specifically advocated for more explicit integration of mental and behavioral health care throughout the document–ensuring that “health care” includes not just physical health care but also mental and behavioral health care. APA emphasized the value of children having access to mental and behavioral health care in school and at home, as well as the importance of supporting primary caregivers, whether they be parents, guardians, or other caregivers.
APA will also submit comments on the “MCHB Strategic Plan” (PDF, 95KB) on Dec. 18.
For more information, contact Sophie Friedl.