[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6745390,"mediaKeyId","2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c","parentId",2217979,"title","Providers tell Council reimbursement delays, rate gaps and staffing shortages are straining DC behavioral health network","audioSeconds",1962,"startMs",7080000,"endMs",9042000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c&start=7080&end=9042","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c/thumbnail_7080000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6745390/Providers-tell-Council-reimbursement-delays-rate-gaps-and-staffing-shortages-are-straining-DC-behavioral-health-network","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745390-8def1be2c6b44980eb8731fb0df88eb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152033&Signature=hKmt7M1AdUNhy3cuxaAi53of5VdjLusJzbgIRCG93itmGWNq1SuEMejrDXzUQd9NQyskrAuZqDLN2EpPjUer22yTX~FYuOgVvPmcveOwB25M0f0XGkEN2Qq0d-edfWK4hzm-HztnJ~vw43ChD2EyL0wVkzV7CZ0zxhJfcS8pkzhMTdllrMbCoWWia4dO21BKzN2PNjLzogdJQr4MdF9o-A~Zf07SLNYENW~HxClwFjVlITpOTkWXZ9mX7DV7HkKU2mghMgFtPaZd7ZFaI6TpSm-llQMzCaY8d0lQWCLyPG4AjIKxw3k-ll525DQ0gLYeFrwounBw6CPI~Xk8TlNTCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","District of Columbia (Health)","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","Community providers, a union representative for DBH psychologists, and non‑profit executives told the Feb. 3 oversight hearing that payment timing, unsustainable local rates and chronic staff vacancies are creating an unstable provider network that undermines access to services.

Community Connections’ new CEO said the agency experienced large operating losses in several recent years and requested restoration of the supportive independent living (SIL) fee and timelier local dollar reimbursement. ‘‘Had it not been for DBH support and federal stimulus, and dipping into reserves, we may not be here,’’ said Damian Cabezas. Other providers described multi‑month local reimbursement delays and administrative burdens tied to new reporting systems.

Union representatives and DBH staff testified to a deep shortage of licensed psychologists. Eric Jones, representing DBH psychologists, said St. Elizabeth’s had about a 33% vacancy rate within its psychology department and that DC salaries lag neighboring jurisdictions; the union asked for salary competitiveness to retain and recruit clinicians who provide competency evaluations, restoration and specialized forensic work.

Provider organizations and a DCBHA representative urged DBH and DHCF to reinstate public provider performance reporting so consumers can assess quality and to use audits and contract reviews to require underperforming organizations to improve or exit the network. SUD and housing providers said delays in grant disbursements have forced program slowdowns and urged clearer DBH communication and more flexible administrative timelines.

Why it matters: Workforce shortages and financial instability at community providers limit the city’s ability to deliver timely care, create gaps in the continuum from outpatient to residential to inpatient services, and increase pressure on crisis and emergency services.

What’s next: The committee will question DBH on reimbursement timelines, proposed rate adjustments and the department’s strategy to fill critical vacancies, including salary and recruitment plans for St. Elizabeth’s.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","District of Columbia (Health) - Committee on Health, Performance Oversight Hearing, Christina Henderson, Chairperson - Feb 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Community providers, a union representative for DBH psychologists, and non‑profit executives told the Feb. 3 oversight hearing that payment timing, unsustainable local rates and chronic staff vacancies are creating an unstable provider network that undermines access to services.","taxTitle","Committee on Health, Committees, Legislative, District of Columbia","taxId",16182,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6745400,"Advocates and school leaders press DBH to fix school‑based behavioral health funding and staffing",12171,191000,12362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c&start=191&end=12362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c/thumbnail_191000.jpg","/articles/6745400/Advocates-and-school-leaders-press-DBH-to-fix-schoolbased-behavioral-health-funding-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745400-0c266e39bd05201e324eff5069aeb28e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152033&Signature=GeWmekEmLAmBSofusz3GNfjItwu-GiR9oxzfWQ5c5Kplf0n~NHSae5MUU6weFiHO8ouPlOR8R3I4wJ9AJ96L8e3-KjaEl7Db5uSea~7Zi3jpLpSJmER~kv~HFMjSAQcpOadKzWy7U1NAvJVLKwPb1pCRshA9vjF-N5lJEm8~xt~SDiP6Cabq0Rhn~a8OVdJzHSvBZMELMdyCs2~eQOu6rbQ1tLdKO3dd9HFGW7hXi4Sqbjt2QFAalXnp~rZmLCTw-mWhISED4VQIRLmE-OsbD9Lsc4mhjzRdnbfJD5I~w30rVAukSIKuXk8Dx-NZpu~~USRKFhvqUPZH5DHnvuBp0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Christina Henderson convened testimony Feb. 3 as part of a two‑part performance oversight review of the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Parents, educators, charter and district school leaders and community‑based providers told the Committee on Health the city’s school‑based behavioral health expansion is producing visible benefits where clinicians are in place, but that staffing and payment problems are limiting access.

School leaders and advocates said the DBH expansion program — which funds community‑based organizations (CBOs) to place clinicians in public and public charter schools — has increased services in many buildings but depends on a funding model that requires CBOs to bill Medicaid or other payers for a portion of costs. That blended model is leaving some providers unable to cover full costs. ‘‘CBOs are choosing to leave the program or they are reducing the number of schools they're in,’’ said Caroline Pryor of EmpowerED, summarizing practitioner feedback to the strengthening families coalition.

The Children’s Law Center told the committee that a separate but related children’s service, community‑based intervention (CBI), has declined in reach: DBH’s own utilization dashboard showed 198 children received CBI in FY24, a 19% drop from the prior year and a much larger decline since FY20. The center’s behavioral health analyst, Chris Gamble, urged DBH to clarify how it measures availability and wait lists for intensive youth services.

School leaders described wide differences across schools and LEAs in how behavioral health is organized. Some large campuses have integrated clinicians who are treated as school staff; smaller “micro” schools or preschools said they were too small to justify full‑time placements under current rules and asked for more flexible award timelines and grant sizes. ‘‘We have a coordinator role that is effectively unpaid and stacked onto other duties,’’ Caroline Pryor said. Multiple witnesses called for at least modest annual compensation for school behavioral health coordinators and for more technical assistance so coordinators can succeed.

Speakers including Scott Goldstein of EmpowerED and Momentum Residency founder Marissa Perella argued DBH must invest in workforce development and retention. Providers said younger clinicians are willing to do school work but need intensive supervision and peer cohorts. Momentum’s residency model — a two‑year cohort of clinicians with supervision and mentoring — was cited as a promising retention approach.

Several charter school leaders said the pilot grants worked when schools could hire clinicians quickly, but slow award letters and hiring delays undermined impact. Smaller LEAs asked DBH to adapt requirements so part‑time or shared clinician arrangements are possible and to reduce the time between award and onboarding. ‘‘When clinicians are in place, the benefit is clear; the problem is getting and keeping them,’’ said Peter Anderson of Washington Latin.

Why it matters: School‑based behavioral health is intended to meet children where they spend the most time; witnesses warned that pausing or rolling back investments would create setbacks for students already showing gains. Committee members signaled they will press DBH for more granular billing and placement data in part 2 of oversight, and for an interim plan to stabilize CBO funding while a longer‑term financial model is developed.

What’s next: Witnesses urged the Council to (1) ask DBH for a timeline to revise the funding model for the expansion program, (2) require clearer, publicly accessible data on clinician placement, wait lists and billing, and (3) support pipeline/frontline workforce strategies such as residency cohorts and cross‑jurisdictional licensing reciprocity.","Chair Christina Henderson convened testimony Feb. 3 as part of a two‑part performance oversight review of the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Parents, educators, charter and district school leaders and community‑based providers told the Committee on Health the city’s school‑based behavioral health expansion is producing visible benefits where clinicians are in place, but that staffing and payment problems are limiting access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6745385,"Court Urgent Care Clinic's high volume and youth homelessness advocates seek sustained DBH support",5197,8425000,3228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c&start=8425&end=3228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c/thumbnail_8425000.jpg","/articles/6745385/Court-Urgent-Care-Clinics-high-volume-and-youth-homelessness-advocates-seek-sustained-DBH-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745385-ebc3f18bb2def7478c880a00d70b0fd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152033&Signature=QYY7SKxClxAELFRH3SWm4XelXpFoWhnDpHRyxs1pum-IRZP5EqrZFeBIbi0ze1tXZzd4~p1FRW5HwKdIT4tGIOqo~6ibsiDcOIBF8~jGprsgqE4hn4vF88k200r26SL2IhbQWKQUNbyuZM3~OaOrCe4R5btk~zv7Nc4sgjP2L3jBG212~V-DkhGULKZOLqrEJK1GPZj285817BJK3~ISF2xUsw9SWVlPfIymBFhSjG594uTe~7CkpzzBJPKyEE-43hHqlIMGHRQpTg5RCO1rfmaFlayBD7-mfev-3sr3iZboeKfvcYqXrlUgzQbhTKZS~VAF4n-ocXujxrX0drfaHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pathways to Housing DC, which operates the Court Urgent Care Clinic (CUCC), told the Committee on Health the clinic provides high‑volume same‑day behavioral health assessments at District Superior Court and that current DBH funding is at risk in the FY26 budget. CUCC staff reported they completed 697 unique intakes in FY24 (16% above contract benchmarks) and are on pace in FY25 to exceed those volumes further. Pathways asked the Council to ensure funding continuity so in‑court same‑day crisis capacity is preserved.

Youth homelessness advocates and pediatric clinicians testified that DBH’s current outreach to youth drop‑in centers is insufficiently frequent and that co‑located, on‑site therapeutic services would improve engagement for youth who do not travel to off‑site clinics. Rachel White (DC Action) and Dr. Rachel Hollander (pediatrician and policy fellow) said intermittent twice‑weekly visits are helpful but that a permanent, citywide model of co‑located services would increase immediate access, trauma‑informed care and linkage to ongoing therapy for unaccompanied and unstably housed youth.

Why it matters: Court‑based and co‑located services reduce barriers to care for people in crisis and for transient youth better served by in‑place services. Witnesses warned that cuts to CUCC or failure to scale co‑located youth services would worsen downstream reliance on emergency departments, foster care systems and law enforcement involvement.

What’s next: The Committee will press DBH on FY26 funding plans for CUCC and for operational proposals to expand co‑located youth behavioral health pilots across homelessness service sites.","Pathways to Housing DC, which operates the Court Urgent Care Clinic (CUCC), told the Committee on Health the clinic provides high‑volume same‑day behavioral health assessments at District Superior Court and that current DBH funding is at risk in the FY26 budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6745395,"Advocates press for non‑police crisis response and expanded harm‑reduction after local incidents",742,3734000,4476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c&start=3734&end=4476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217979-3420401a5d770382952c2acc3eb44e2c/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","/articles/6745395/Advocates-press-for-nonpolice-crisis-response-and-expanded-harmreduction-after-local-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745395-1b165b570c8dc0075d7cd092be8900ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152033&Signature=H6jygJmSrPNGgDtyMEmo8fRMq9KVwLJUCrChpox9YhVwT0stpdaFUVW0LvRhT~zlZrGsnmPhCdYCoFn-E7ILxCcUvFJEt6M7S6W~jTeU7SBpmUU6ZpqMjmVxXcb1A0UzJicSRRcbjcIrqfEsTFnltCsXPPs-YCpfZqdZ8waoKG72jsJEVS5E-rU6QrgdQEYB~3YG7QyE4DZOJpnVJBHkcikGu7NraqR~Zp7U~uJSdUHXdO8Afy7TGt8ytl-UfpvnlixDw6s2dm-6jh0sq07aBp-u9A2wV7CeDFaLGH-gc3FIMjQCXmoWPnQuzp1U2lR~XIojc-DxqgCGBEJ3d5UhXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Feb. 3 oversight hearing, community groups and harm‑reduction advocates urged the Council and DBH to scale non‑police crisis response and invest in community‑based harm‑reduction infrastructure. Witnesses recounted local incidents — including a January 2024 police shooting in which family members say a crisis interaction escalated to a fatal outcome — to argue for expanded mobile crisis teams, 24/7 alternatives to EDs, and better promotion and staffing of the 988 crisis line.

Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and allied groups asked the committee to adopt or study the People’s Response Act or similar bills that make behavioral‑health first responders the default for mental‑health calls, not armed officers. ‘‘A crisis‑trained cop is still a cop,’’ said Jillian Burford of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, urging a model centered on clinicians and community responders. Witnesses said DBH’s crisis response numbers show an incomplete shift: OUC diversions to DBH dropped (FY23: 28; FY24: 12) and DBH’s Crisis Response Team calls fell from 7,038 in FY23 to 5,671 in FY24.

Harm‑reduction advocates asked the city to fund community responders trained in mental‑health first aid and to pilot co‑located harm‑reduction centers (models cited: Cahoots/Eugene; OnPoint/NYC). Community members and outreach veterans urged more aggressive 988 promotion and integration between 988 and 911/OUC so dispatchers route mental‑health calls to DBH or mobile crisis teams where appropriate.

Why it matters: Witnesses argued that reliance on law enforcement for behavioral crises contributes to disproportionate use of force against people with mental illness and people of color. The committee flagged the need to coordinate DBH, OUC and MPD policies so diversion actually occurs in practice, not just in policy documents.

What’s next: Council members said they will press DBH and Office of Unified Communications on protocols, training and call routing thresholds and asked for data on CRT response times and 988 call outcomes.","At a Feb. 3 oversight hearing, community groups and harm‑reduction advocates urged the Council and DBH to scale non‑police crisis response and invest in community‑based harm‑reduction infrastructure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Providers tell Council reimbursement delays, rate gaps and staffing shortages are straining DC behavioral health network

Advocates and school leaders press DBH to fix school‑based behavioral health funding and staffing

Court Urgent Care Clinic's high volume and youth homelessness advocates seek sustained DBH support

Advocates press for non‑police crisis response and expanded harm‑reduction after local incidents