SPLC urges investigation of Louisiana program failing at-risk children

The SPLC urged federal officials today to investigate Louisiana’s Coordinated System of Care program, which is failing to prevent young people with severe behavioral health needs from being unnecessarily funneled into detention centers and hospitals.

In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the SPLC and the Advocacy Center describe how the program is plagued with long wait lists and major gaps in services.

The program was created to provide mental health and other services to young people in an effort to keep them in their homes and communities rather than in institutions. Without these services, youth end up in hospitals and jails in order to receive mental health treatment.

“This program, if implemented properly, could greatly improve the lives of children with severe emotional and behavioral needs in Louisiana,” said Sara Godchaux, SPLC staff attorney. “But these children and their families cannot access the full benefits of the program if the state does not provide the services they need.” 

Louisiana’s program was established in 2012 with a Medicaid waiver that allows the state to use Medicaid funds to pay for services delivered in a young person’s community or home. It offers five specialized services: crisis stabilization, short-term respite care, parent support and training, youth support and training, and independent living/skills building. The program is expected to be expanded statewide by mid-November. 

But many young people are not receiving the services they need. The letter describes how there are no crisis stabilization providers in the state, leaving families without appropriate support in crisis situations and causing them to rely on the very institutions the service is designed to avoid.

The short-term respite service, which provides care to a youth and a break to the child’s caregiver or guardian, is also unavailable to many families due to a shortage of qualified providers. Respite care is a key component in preventing children from ending up in hospitals and other institutions. The program is also failing to connect families with parent and youth support and training.

By not providing these integral services, the program is in violation of the Medicaid Act. It also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide services in the community to Louisiana’s most vulnerable youth, creating an even greater risk of institutionalization or incarceration.