2024 advocacy piece

6 Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment u Provide a 7% cost of living increase to behavioral health rates and contracts within the Department of Children and Families. In October 2021, a national emergency in child mental health was declared. Since then the crisis has only gotten worse. Scientific American , August 18, 2023 After losing their mother to suicide in 2021, Daryna, now 8 years old, and her 14-year-old brother Artem lived with their fathers until they were abandoned once the Ukraine War broke out. After living underground for 21 days and then moving to a refugee camp, their grandmother went to Ukraine and brought the children to the U.S. School staff recognized that Daryna and Artem needed mental health care as a result of their traumatic experiences and referred the children to Bergen’s Promise, a Care Management Organization (CMO). The CMO team engaged an “In 2021, nearly 60% of teen girls had recently experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness, and nearly one-third of high school girls had recently considered suicide. About 3 in 10 high school students had experienced poor mental health in the past 30 days, while 22% had seriously contemplated suicide within the past year and 1 in 10 had attempted it.” U.S. News & World Report , Oct. 19, 2023, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Intensive In-home Counselor (IIC) who speaks Russian, as Daryna, Artem and their grandmother do. The IIC enabled Daryna to develop communication skills, process the trauma she endured and build strategies for coping with the long-term impact. They also helped Daryna’s grandmother and her partner to establish a home structure and responsibilities for Daryna. The CMO team worked with Daryna’s teachers and family to build relationships in order to help her succeed academically. The CMO also funded gymnastics lessons with a Russian-speaking instructor to help Daryna develop social skills, physical wellness and confidence. Daryna graduated from the CMO in November 2023. The school and family are continuing to collaborate to foster Daryna’s ongoing success. In addition, Daryna’s grandmother u Provide an additional $32 million (combined state and federal funds) to Care Management Organizations. and her partner obtained full custody. They also helped Daryna obtain a green card and reconnect with her father, who is now engaged remotely in her care.