HR0113 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0113 LRB095 08567 DRJ 31645 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Untreated mental health problems in children have serious fiscal consequences for the State because they affect children's ability to learn and increase their propensity for violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and other delinquent behaviors that are extremely costly to treat; and

WHEREAS, One in 10 children in Illinois suffers from a mental illness severe enough to cause some level of impairment; yet, in any given year only about 20% of these children receive mental health services; and

WHEREAS, Many mental health problems are largely preventable or can be minimized with prevention and early intervention services that have been shown to be effective and that reduce the need for more costly interventions; and

WHEREAS, Children's social development and emotional development are essential underpinnings to school readiness and academic success; and

WHEREAS, A comprehensive, coordinated children's mental health system can help maximize resources and minimize duplication of services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge that the following be included in amounts appropriated for State services in Fiscal Year 2008:

(1) A continued appropriation of the current $5,000,000 under the Children's Mental Health Partnership line items (that is, $3,000,000 in the Illinois State Board of Education budget and $2,000,000 in the Illinois Department of Human Services budget);

(2) An additional $15,000,000 in appropriations under Children's Mental Health Partnership line items allocated as described in paragraph (3); and

(3) Allocation of $20,000,000 for the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership as follows:

(A) Allocation of $10,000,000 under the Children's Mental Health Partnership line item in appropriations to the Department of Human Services for: the Children's Mental Health Consultation Project; Birth to Five Treatment Services; Screening, Assessment, and Support Services (SASS) aftercare services; Early Intervention Services; the Family Leadership and Support Network; and the Children's Mental Health Public Awareness Campaign;

(B) Allocation of $6,000,000 under the Children's Mental Health Partnership line item in appropriations to the Illinois State Board of Education for: Social and Emotional Learning Standards Professional Development and Implementation; expansion of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS); and increased School based Mental Health Support Services;

(C) Allocation of $3,500,000 under the Children's Mental Health Partnership line item in appropriations to the Department of Children and Family Services for: Transitional Services; and Trauma Services; and

(D) Allocation of $500,000 under the Children's Mental Health Partnership line item in appropriations to the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority for the Children's Mental Health Policy and Research Center; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to each of the following: the Governor; the State Superintendent of Education; the Secretary of Human Services; the Director of Children and Family Services; and the Attorney General.