CT SB00650

Commissioner of Children and Families shall establish a parents' support hotline (effective October 1, 2013) for parents and guardians of children with mental or behavioral health issues, within available appropriations.

Hotline shall accept reports of mental or behavioral health issues, provide emergency services including mobile response and psychiatric assessment, offer crisis response and stabilization services, and provide counseling and referral services to parents, guardians, and immediate family members.

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall identify a state college or university by October 1, 2014 to conduct a pilot program exploring children's mental and behavioral health (effective July 1, 2013).

Pilot program shall educate parents on warning signs, provide counseling and resources for affected children, and establish community outreach initiatives to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health issues.

Department shall report to the joint standing committee on children regarding the pilot program's status and effectiveness by January 1, 2016, with the pilot program terminating on that same date.