Purpose of the Bill

The bill proposes the establishment of a grant program to enhance mental health services for children, particularly those facing significant behavioral or mental health challenges, and for incarcerated youth. It aims to provide comprehensive support through a structured and evidence-based approach.

Main Provisions

• High-Fidelity Wraparound Grants: The bill establishes a grant program for counties and community-based service providers to deliver comprehensive mental health services for children facing serious challenges. These services must adhere to high-fidelity wraparound models and are designed to be holistic and family-driven.

• Use of Grant Money: Funds can be utilized to cover startup costs and for additional services when other funding sources are unavailable.

• Technical Assistance: The commissioner of human services is tasked with providing technical assistance to counties, including guidance on applying for enhanced rates for children's mental health case management.

• Data Collection and Assessment: Grantees are required to submit data on service utilization and outcomes annually, and report efforts made to secure enhanced case management funding.

• Funding for Incarcerated Youth: Additional appropriations are allocated to provide mental health services for incarcerated youth, with the goal of equitable access through juvenile detention centers statewide.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• New Law Addition: This bill proposes new coding in Minnesota Statutes, aimed at integrating high-fidelity wraparound services into the state’s legislative framework for mental health.

• Financial Allocation: The bill specifies appropriations from the general fund for both the wraparound grants and the mental health initiatives for incarcerated youth for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Relevant Terms

• High-fidelity wraparound
• Mental health services
• Incarcerated youth
• Juvenile detention centers
• Targeted case management
• Comprehensive, family-driven response
• Evidence-based model