This session will be co-led by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative (CBHTI). Participants will learn about IDPH’s work to support children’s health and children’s mental health across the state, including information about the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, which is newly housed at IDPH. The session will also discuss the implementation of the Blueprint for Transformation: A Vision for Improved Behavioral Healthcare for Illinois Children, with a focus on strategies for improving child well-being by strengthening families, schools and communities. The session will provide an overview of the BEACON care portal and work to develop the foundation for mental health screenings in schools. The session will highlight successes in improving interagency coordination and community engagement and identify next steps to ensure that transformational changes impact Illinois students.
