Mental Health Care for Kids Improves

A recent study published in the June issue of Medical Care says that with the expansion of the EPSDT Program (Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment) in California, accessibility to mental health care for children has greatly improved. The principle author of this study is Lonnie R. Snowden, a PhD of University of California, and Berkley.

The biggest improvement is said to have been in the rural areas and communities where there is a higher percentage of children suffering from health problems and who are not given adequate care. These areas are known to have a history of poor state funding when it comes to medical health services. The study reflected on the changes that have influenced children’s access to mental health care which was the major aim of the EPSDT expansion.  

A major indicator of the success of the EPSDT expansion has been the increase in “penetration rates”, an important signifier of easy access to treatment. In just one year of EPSDT expansion and higher funding, the increase in penetration rates has been 38 percent in backward counties as opposed to 18 percent in the urbanized areas. Those areas that had previously suffered from low state funding also showed a 49 percent increase.

But in spite of the growth seen, California is still lagging behind when it comes to mental health care availability for children in comparison to other states. The researchers of the study concluded by saying that even though there has been considerable improvement, there are many more children who are in need of mental health services. According to them more research needs to be done in order to find out the reasons for low penetration rates in some areas and then come up with the appropriate solution.