Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group.

In 2016 the Children's Behavioral Health Work Group was created by the Legislature.  The group was renamed in 2018 as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) and extended through 2026. 

The CYBHWG has a variety of members including legislative members, representatives from various state agencies, representatives from behavioral health organizations, parents, pediatricians, and youth.

In 2020 the CYBHWG produced a report with recommendations to the Legislature developed through four advisory groups in the following areas:

• prenatal to age 5 relational health;
• workforce and rates;
• student behavioral health and suicide prevention; and
• youth and young adult continuum of care.

Partnership Access Line.

The Partnership Access Line (PAL) supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care including:

• diagnostic clarification;
• medication adjustment; or 
• treatment planning.

A social worker is available through the PAL to assist with finding mental health resources for patients.  

The PAL provides specialized consultation for mothers, teens, and children.  

The PAL also partners with the Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens program where families can speak directly with a referral specialist.

The PAL for Moms program provides perinatal mental health consultation, recommendations, and referrals for providers caring for pregnant or postpartum patients from faculty members of the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with expertise in perinatal mental health.

Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood.

The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0-5) is a diagnostic manual for children ages birth through age 5 designed to help mental health and other professionals recognize mental health and developmental challenges in infants and young children.  The DC:0-5 uses diagnostic criteria for classification, case formulation, and intervention.

The PAL for Moms and the Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens are established as ongoing programs instead of pilot programs.  The Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens program must identify mental health professionals who are in-network with the child's health care coverage who are accepting new patients and taking appointments within an average of seven days from call intake processing.

The Health Care Authority is required to allow otherwise eligible reimbursement for the following related to mental health assessment and diagnosis of children from birth through age 5:

• up to five sessions for purposes of intake and assessment; and
• assessments in home or community settings, including reimbursement for provider travel.

Providers must use the current version of the DC:0-5 diagnostic classification system for mental health assessment and diagnosis of children from birth through age 5.