Return to Articles
11.01.2024
Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Care
Too many children and families in Nevada struggle to access the behavioral health care they need to thrive in their communities. Over the next two years, Nevada Medicaid will be undergoing several major reforms to increase services available to children and their families.
THE CALL FOR ACTION: Join Nevada Medicaid, health care providers, state, county and community leaders across the state on an important journey to improve care for more than 20,000 Nevada children.
The goal of this effort is to improve access to community-based behavioral health care for children, statewide. This includes community services available to children through community clinics, in the home, and at school, and new supports for families with children with behavioral health needs.
To join this work, ask questions, or learn more, email [email protected].
NEW & IMPROVED SERVICES: New and improved services for eligible children covered by Medicaid include:
- Therapies for children & families
- Parenting support for caregivers
- Life skills training for youth
- Peer supports, connecting children and families with community members similar experiences and needs
- Respite care to give caregivers short-term relief
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Psychiatric care & medication management
- Mobile crisis services, whenever and wherever needed
HOW WE DO IT: It is hard for families and caregivers to navigate health care, education, family services, and social services.
We are developing a “wraparound” program to help children and families get the support they need to thrive in their communities.
Each eligible family will have a dedicated care coordinator who will work with a team to create a care plan that supports the behavioral health needs of the child. The care team could include the child’s doctors, therapists, teachers, Juvenile Justice officials, and foster care providers, among others.
LET’S GET STARTED: Nevada Medicaid is working to get coverage of many of these services and supports up and going early next year, while working to establish a specialized health plan designed to support eligible children and families in 2027.
Join the email list here to stay informed.
All these efforts require stakeholder and community input and involvement, so please join us and provide your feedback. Questions? Input? Email [email protected].
WHAT IS NEVADA MEDICAID?
Nevada Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. This program is available only to certain low-income individuals and families in Nevada who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by Federal and state law.
- Adults: Age 19-64 whose household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Children: Under age 19 whose income is at or below 205% of the FPL
- Pregnant Women: Household income is less than 190% of the FPL
- Parents/Caretakers: Income at or below 138% of the FPL
- Katie Beckett Eligibility Option: Income eligibility may be waived families with a disabled child under 19 years of age who would be eligible for Medicaid if he or she were in a medical institution and who is receiving, while living at home, medical care that would normally be provided in a medical institution. Click here for more information on this eligibility option.
Fill out First 5 Nevada’s eligibility portal today to see if you qualify!
