I currently work as a Network of Care Manager at Carelon Behavioral Health. I work with community providers on better integrating children’s behavioral health care. I have also worked in the community behavioral health field for many years. My initial work was with adults and I had the experience and privilege of seeing that system develop and transform over time to be increasingly consumer-driven and centered on client choice. I have also seen the integration of mental health and substance use treatment which had been very siloed in the past. There are similar changes taking place throughout the children’s behavioral health system guided by the Children’s Behavioral Health plan. The pandemic only highlighted the changes needed and the disparities that existed.
Connecticut has made strides in its support and service array for children and families but families are still unaware of how and when to get help. The move from a reactive system to a system that focuses on early identification and prevention is key but families and communities must be partners in that process. Additionally, we must look at the context in which care is provided to ensure a holistic approach that meets the real needs of youth and families and accounts for socioeconomic factors, racial/ethnic barriers and an understanding trauma.
