This bill aims to enhance the role of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) in improving pediatric mental health care by transferring $3 million from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to the Department of Human Services (DHS). The NJHCQI will serve as the designated entity to implement recommendations from the Children's Mental Health Mapping Report, which includes facilitating stakeholder engagement, providing technical assistance, and monitoring the implementation of these recommendations. The bill also establishes a Children's Mental Health Data Dashboard, which will provide publicly accessible information about the children's behavioral health system, including service availability and quality indicators.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law by deleting specific requirements related to the NJHCQI's reporting obligations and outlines the financial distribution of the transferred funds. Of the $3 million, $1.5 million is allocated for the initial development of the dashboard, while the remaining $1.5 million will support the NJHCQI's coordination and implementation efforts over three years. The bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration among various state departments and agencies to improve the structure and accessibility of pediatric mental health care services in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:9A-34