The Hawaii Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division was awarded nearly $12 million by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration to enhance existing initiatives and introduce new strategies to improve mental health services for Hawaii youth.

What You Need To Know

  • The funding comes via a four-year, system-of-care grant called Workforce Activities in Action: Building Capacity for CAMHD’s Youth Through Equity
  • As CAMHD noted, the United States is currently experiencing a youth mental health crisis that disproportionately affects minority and disadvantaged populations
  • The situation in Hawaii is exacerbated by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires coupled with a significant shortage of behavioral health workers
  • CAMHD provides free mental health care to eligible youth with severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges

 

“This grant represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen mental health services for children and adolescents across the state,” said CAMHD administrator T. Keli Acquaro. “By focusing on workforce development, evidence-based practices and increased collaboration, we aim to create a more resilient and equitable system of care for our youth and their families.”

The funding comes via a four-year, system-of-care grant called Workforce Activities in Action: Building Capacity for CAMHD’s Youth Through Equity.

As CAMHD noted, the United States is currently experiencing a youth mental health crisis that disproportionately affects minority and disadvantaged populations. The situation in Hawaii is exacerbated by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires coupled with a significant shortage of behavioral health workers.

The WAA initiative aims to:

  • Enhance workforce capacity through professional development, innovative reimbursement strategies and sustainable recruitment infrastructure

  • Increase training in evidence-based practices and processes

  • Strengthen care coordination to improve family and youth engagement and interagency coordination

  • Elevate the voice of youth and caregiver peers with lived expertise

  • Increase access to evidence-informed and culturally appropriate supports that promote social, cultural and environmental connectedness

  • Strengthen system-level interagency collaboration to support implementation and sustainability of the system of care approach

CAMHD provides free mental health care to eligible youth with severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Its services include assessment, case management and a range of therapeutic supports provided in the home and community, as well as temporary out-of-home treatment as appropriate.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.