Your focus should be on how substance use disorder impacts youth in the state of Washington and any insight on how DCYF supports youth (Teens) affected by SUD. You can touch a little on infants if you wish.
Potential areas to explore with recommended agencies for participation:
- Data Dive:
- What trends are we seeing with our youth coming out of the pandemic?
- Is there hard data to reflect an increase in behavioral health needs or a change in the rate or severity of what children are experiencing?
- Children and Youth behavioral health:
- What is our capacity within the community?
- What is the full array of behavioral health services we provide?
- What early prevention in connection with schools do we have in place? How are we meeting the needs of youth in the k12 system, and is our system making all the connections needed for adequate support?
- Behavioral Health workforce:
- What are the impacts on the workforce? (backlogs with licenses, certifications, recruitment, and retention)
- BH professions- backlogs with psychologists
The overall goal is to highlight SUD services the state has provided for our youth along with any disparities to the Governor and to discuss efforts, initiatives, and programs DCYF has implemented to increase these services for children.
Note from professor:
This is an opportunity to “highlight” the appalling lack of services for youth. These events tend to focus on good news. While I think there is value in an appreciative approach to the world, there is value in exposing the challenges as well, even if it doesn’t make everyone all happy. I’d like to get exposed to what they plan to present quite early in this process so we can intervene if necessary, and so I can be prepared for the panel.
Add charts or graphs for extra points
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/606019-BHADirectory.pdf
Tip you can use this website and Ctrl F for youth treatment