School Behavioral Health Support Act

If this bill is passed, it will update part of the Code of Georgia about the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

• Code of Georgia: These are the rules or laws for the state of Georgia that say what people in Georgia can and cannot do.

• Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities: A government office that helps people with mental health issues, struggles with drugs and alcohol, and disabilities get the care and support they need.

If passed, the department will set up a behavioral health grant program connected to schools to find out if students have disabilities that affect their behavior early in life, and then quickly support them. 

• A grant program is when the government gives a group money to solve a certain need. This one is called a “school-linked behavioral health” grant program.

This bill:

• Sets up a school-linked behavioral health grant program

• Says who can apply to get it: Groups that help people in the community with their mental health, Mental health centers in the community, doctors and nurses who are allowed to help people with their mental health or drug and alcohol problems, or doctors and nurses who take Medicaid (a health insurance program) and help kids and families with their mental health or drug and alcohol problems.

• Defines 'mental health or substance use disorder' as “a mental illness or addictive disease,” which is when someone has a problem with their mind or feelings, or when they are having trouble with drugs or alcohol.

• Explains what activities are allowed and what the groups that get the money can spend it on.

• Explains how information about the program will be gathered and shared, so that there’s a way to make sure the program is working well.

• Gets rid of any other laws that stop this one from working.

If this bill is passed, the law will be called the "School Behavioral Health Support Act"  

Things groups can do with the money are:  

• Finding mental health or substance use disorders  

• Giving treatment and services, including by video call  

• Helping families get healthcare and social support  

• Helping students who are getting support get from place to place.

• Making stronger a school’s ability to support students with concerns  

• Buying equipment related to giving support and treatment through video calls  

Groups that get the money must get other people, groups, or grants to also give them money.  

Groups that get the money have to help students even if they don’t have health insurance, or can’t pay.  

Groups that get the money need to collect and show the information for checking to see how well the program is working.