The number of residential treatment beds in Minnesota is decreasing, and the facilities that do exist are struggling to have enough staff to operate at full capacity. Providers said they need to determine whether they can adequately address each child’s specific needs and balance that with the other children in their care.
Children who are not admitted in a timely manner to residential mental health treatment facilities in Minnesota often have intellectual disabilities, aggressive or sexually problematic behavior, or physical health conditions, county officials say. said.
Minnesota has a number of intensive, community-based residential services for high-needs youth, DHS said in a statement. The agency said it continues to identify and address gaps and accessibility issues that may be caused by workforce shortages, low reimbursement rates for medical assistance, and lack of uniform access to services across the state. Ta.
“There is a growing need to address systemic challenges that impact the lack of intensive behavioral health services for children and treatment options within Minnesota,” DHS Deputy Secretary Teresa Steinmetz said in a statement. “Mitigating these challenges will require all members of the system – states, counties, tribes, providers and community partners – to work together.”
Rep. Kim Hicks, DFL Rochester, said that on the day a child leaves the facility, there are many options for the child to live at home, including individualized education programs, respite services for families, and youth behavioral health workers and therapists. He said that services should be developed to support such efforts. , is also a DHS employee.
