Here’s the content from the provided web search results:
- YESWaiver Resource Guide – Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
– Developed Youth Empowerment Services (YES), a 1915(c) Medicaid waiver program for children and youth ages 3 through 18 wiht serious mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
– Services are family-centered, coordinated, and effective at preventing out-of-home placements.
- PDF Download
- YES Waiver 101 - Texas Children’s Commission
– the YES Waiver is a 1915(c) Medicaid program helping children and youth with serious mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.- Provides intensive,strengths-based services to youth and families.- In 2023, 2,575 children were served, with 95% transitioning successfully to othre services or graduating with a plan.
– Available statewide through 39 local mental health authorities and two complete waiver providers.
- High demand for services, but limited provider availability due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.
– Average Medicaid reimbursement for a 50-minute therapy session ranges from $60 to $122, while therapists charge $180 or more.
- Long waitlists (at least six months) for services, leading to potential delays in care.
These documents and information provide an overview of the YES Waiver program, its services, reimbursement rates, and challenges faced in Texas.It truly seems like you’re advocating for increased funding for the YES program, which provides intensive treatment and support for individuals with mental health challenges. Here’s a summary of the key points and a suggested way to frame the funding request:
Key Points:
- Current Challenges: Unregulated, temporary placements like hotels or churches can worsen mental health issues and make it tough for families to reunite with their children.
- YES Program Impact: The YES program has shown positive outcomes,helping individuals like Quin Heston manage their emotions,express themselves,and improve their quality of life.
- Funding Need: To expand the YES program and attract more providers, Medicaid rates need to increase.
Funding Request Framing:
“Honorable [Legislators],
We are writing to urge you to prioritize funding for the YES program in the upcoming budget. This program has demonstrated important positive impacts on the lives of individuals with mental health challenges, helping them manage their conditions, express their emotions, and regain a sense of safety and belonging.
However, the program’s growth is hindered by insufficient provider rates, which makes it challenging to attract and retain quality providers.We request that you consider a rate increase for YES program providers to ensure the program can expand and meet the growing need.
Investing in the YES program is investing in the well-being of our communities, the future of our youth, and the stability of our families. We believe that with your support, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges.
Thank you for your consideration and support.”
Call to Action:
- Reach out to your local representatives and share Quin’s story.
- Advocate for increased funding for the YES program in your community.
- Support organizations that advocate for mental health services and programs.
Revolutionizing Youth Mental Health Services in texas: The YES Waiver Initiative
Table of Contents
In a groundbreaking move, Texas is set to revolutionize its approach to youth mental health services through the implementation of the YES (Youth Empowerment and Support) Waiver. This initiative aims to make crucial mental health services more accessible and reimbursable through Medicaid, a significant step forward in addressing the state’s mental health crisis among young peopel.
The YES Waiver is designed to expand the scope of Medicaid-covered services, including crisis intervention, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and home-based services. This expansion is expected to provide much-needed support to families navigating the complex mental health system.
Quin Heston, a vocal advocate for mental health reform, shared his personal insights on the importance of such initiatives. ”I think plenty of families want this kind of support. They just don’t know where to start,” heston said. “My mother told me, and I coudl see how terrible navigating the mental health system was.I think more families need to be made aware that there is service out there not just for children with developmental issues, but also mental health issues.”
The YES Waiver initiative is part of a broader effort to improve mental health services for youth across Texas. By making these services reimbursable through Medicaid, the state aims to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that more children and adolescents receive the care they need.
Key Components of the YES waiver
| Service Type | Description |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Crisis Services | Immediate intervention for mental health emergencies |
| Intensive Outpatient Programs | Structured treatment with less intensity than inpatient care |
| Partial Hospitalization | Daytime treatment with evenings and weekends at home |
| Home-Based Services | In-home support for families dealing with mental health issues |
These services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of youth,providing a range of options from immediate crisis intervention to long-term support.
The Impact on Families
For families like Heston’s, the YES Waiver represents a beacon of hope. The complexity of the mental health system can be overwhelming, and many families struggle to find the right support. The YES Waiver aims to simplify this process by making essential services more accessible and reimbursable through Medicaid.
Community Support and Advocacy
Organizations such as Texans Care for Children have been instrumental in advocating for these reforms. Their support has been crucial in pushing for policies that prioritize the mental health of Texas youth. The Texas Tribune, a nonpartisan news organization, has also played a significant role in informing the public about these initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The implementation of the YES Waiver marks a significant milestone in Texas’s efforts to improve mental health services for youth. As the state continues to refine and expand these programs, it is essential to monitor their impact and ensure that they meet the evolving needs of the community.
For more information on the YES Waiver and its potential benefits, visit the Texas Tribune and explore how this initiative is transforming mental health services in Texas.
Disclosure: Texans Care for Children has been a financial supporter of the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
the Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
interview with a Yes Waiver Initiative Expert
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today. Could you start by explaining what the YES Waiver Initiative is and how it will revolutionize youth mental health services in Texas?
Expert: Absolutely,thank you for having me. The YES Waiver Initiative, or the Youth Empowerment and Support Waiver, aims to make crucial mental health services more accessible and reimbursable through Medicaid. This initiative is designed to expand the scope of Medicaid-covered services,including crisis intervention,intensive outpatient programs,partial hospitalization,and home-based services. by doing so, it will profoundly impact the way mental health services are delivered to youth across Texas, improving accessibility and reducing the financial burden on families.
Interviewer: That sounds like a important step forward. How does the YES Waiver plan to address the challenges faced by families in navigating the mental health system?
Expert: The YES Waiver aims to simplify the process by making essential services more accessible and reimbursable through Medicaid. Many families struggle with the complexity of the system and often don’t know where to start. The waiver is designed to provide a range of options, from immediate crisis intervention to long-term support, ensuring that more children and adolescents receive the care they need.
Interviewer: could you elaborate on the key components and services covered under this initiative?
expert: The initiative covers multiple components, including Crisis Services for immediate intervention for mental health emergencies, Intensive Outpatient Programs for structured treatment with lesser intensity than inpatient care, Partial hospitalization for daytime treatment with evenings and weekends at home, and Home-Based Services, providing in-home support for families dealing with mental health issues. These services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of youth.
Interviewer: How will this initiative improve mental health services for youth across Texas?
Expert: By making these services reimbursable through Medicaid, the initiative substantially reduces the financial burden on families. This ensures that more children and adolescents receive the care they need, leading to better outcomes. The initiative also aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues by broadening the coverage and accessibility of essential services.
Interviewer: What kind of support has the YES waiver Initiative received from community organizations and advocates?
Expert: The YES Waiver initiative has received strong support from organizations like Texans Care for Children, who have been instrumental in advocating for these reforms. The Texas Tribune has also played a significant role in informing the public about these initiatives. Their support has been crucial in pushing for policies that prioritize the mental health of Texas youth.
Interviewer: Lastly, what steps can the public take to support the YES Waiver Initiative and ско-зать the positive impact on the community?
Expert: The public can support the YES Waiver Initiative by reaching out to their local representatives and sharing personal stories, advocating for increased funding, and supporting organizations that advocate for mental health services and programs. Every voice counts in pushing for better mental health services.
Interviewer: Thank you for providing such detailed insights into the YES Waiver Initiative. It’s clear that this is an important step forward for mental health services in Texas.
Expert: Thank you for having me. I am optimistic about the positive impact this initiative will have on our youth.
