On Monday, March 8, 2022, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking for information to determine what additional resources states and territories need to ensure children in foster care have access to mental health services.

The authors urged HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to collect the following data as part of the Children’s Bureau’s forthcoming Child & Family Services Review (CFSR).

  • The number of children who receive an initial mental health screening required under section 422(b)(15)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act;
  • Whether the initial mental health screening occurs within 30 days of a child’s entry or re-entry into foster care;
  • The number of children who receive a follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment;
  • Whether the follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment occurs within 60 days of a child’s entry or re-entry into foster care; and
  • The number of children in foster care who are referred for mental health services as a result of the follow-up, comprehensive mental-health assessment.