Connecticut is facing a critical shortage of mental health services for children, with advocates highlighting significant gaps in care and long waitlists that jeopardize the wellbeing of vulnerable youth. Tracey, a mother who sought help for her 15-year-old son, has navigated the emergency room 12 times, struggling to find adequate support for his violent behavior. She emphasizes that despite multiple admissions to psychiatric facilities and various treatment programs, her son continues to regress once he returns home due to a lack of ongoing care.
“I don’t expect my child to be miraculously cured of his mental illness by any one service or program, but when they have been admitted to psychiatric inpatient 12 times and moved between several therapeutic schools, we must question the system,” Tracey stated. She described her attempts to secure support from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which were often met with refusal, leaving her feeling abandoned in her quest for help.
Advocates, including child protection attorneys, agree that the state’s mental health resources for children are insufficient. They report that long waitlists hinder recovery and can lead to escalating behavioral issues. “The need for more mental health providers is a systemic problem,” said Sarah Eagan, executive director of The Center for Children’s Advocacy. “High-profile tragedies and recent audits reveal serious concerns about the state’s investment in fulfilling its legal obligations to abused and neglected children.”
A state audit released in summer 2023 revealed alarming trends, including a rise in the number of children missing from DCF care from 2021 to 2023. The audit concluded that DCF failed to adequately assess risks or create effective plans for these children. Additionally, only 41% of children’s mental health needs were met, according to a federal audit conducted last year.
A DCF spokesperson defended the agency’s efforts, stating that Connecticut has a broad range of behavioral health services delivered by nonprofit providers. “Any child and family is able to access this system of care,” the spokesperson noted, while acknowledging that not all needs have been met. They attributed service gaps partly to a nationwide workforce shortage in community-based behavioral health services.
The pressing need for reform is underscored by the tragic case of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, an 11-year-old girl whose death, ruled a homicide, has spurred lawmakers to propose new legislation aimed at increasing transparency and oversight within the agency. “It exacerbates what is already a difficult situation,” said Ingrid Swanson, a staff attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance, who shared the struggles of clients trying to access appropriate mental health services.
Swanson recounted the case of a 4-year-old boy facing significant behavioral challenges. After being placed with a therapist ill-equipped to handle his needs, the next level of care had a waitlist of six to nine months. “That’s nearly a quarter of his life,” she lamented, emphasizing the potential for worsening conditions during prolonged waiting periods.
Rachel Levine, a family and juvenile law attorney, echoed these sentiments, noting that the lack of adequate mental health services is often beyond DCF’s control. “DCF needs to get more funding and to find more services,” she stated, highlighting that the agency’s budget has decreased by approximately $150 million since 2010 while still opening around 30,000 cases annually.
Levine described cases where children with significant behavioral needs were not receiving timely interventions, often leading to their involvement with the juvenile justice system. “Behavior led to bigger consequences because they couldn’t get the help they needed,” she explained.
Dana Simoni, another child protection attorney, described the dire state of mental health services in Connecticut, stating there are waitlists for almost all types of care. “I had a case recently where a parent was trying to get a child into individual behavior therapy, and the earliest intake was a two-month wait,” she said, noting that children are facing mental health challenges at earlier ages.
The DCF spokesperson acknowledged the challenges but noted the agency’s commitment to improving access to services. “Wait times for access to behavioral health services can vary depending on the type of program, provider, and location,” they said.
As Connecticut grapples with these complex issues, stakeholders are calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the mental health crisis affecting children. Lawmakers aim to implement reforms that ensure better oversight and accessibility, recognizing that the future of many young lives depends on timely and effective mental health care.
