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State outlines interim placements and community care plans for children after Campus for Hope changes

2867563 ยท April 3, 2025

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Summary

The Division of Child and Family Services updated the Interim Finance Committee on use of a $3.8 million ARPA appropriation to expand children's behavioral-health services. Officials said no child currently served will have a lapse in care, described temporary relocations within the Desert Regional Center campus and explained plans to expand

Cody Finney, administrator at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Jack Rob from partner agencies briefed the committee on a follow-up plan requested in January concerning $3.8 million in ARPA funds appropriated to expand services for children with behavioral-health needs.

What the department told the committee: Finney said the state and county partners had worked to refocus funding after plans to use Building 9 on the SnAMS campus changed as Campus for Hope planning advanced. He said the department is committed to preventing any lapse in services for the children currently served in Buildings 12 and 13. "At no point will any of these children that are currently served be left without appropriate services or placement as a result of any of these changes," Finney said.

Interim solutions and timeline: Jack Rob described temporary moves within Desert Regional Center facilities: residents in an intermediate-care facility (ICF) identified as Building 13 will relocate south of Transverse Road to an alternate cottage (1301) that is available while renovations on another building (1309) are completed. Rob said the 1309 renovation is expected to complete in mid-May and that the interim moves will remain in place while the state and county establish longer-term community placements and therapeutic foster-home capacity.

Long-term approach: The department said its intent is to expand community-based therapeutic foster care and licensed community facilities rather than placing children long term on an institutional campus. DHHS and its county partners are working with Medicaid officials to finalize rate-setting and contracting for therapeutic foster and residential services.

Ending: The department said it will continue to provide updates to the committee and to ensure continuity of care while state and local partners implement the longer-term shift to community-based therapeutic settings.

Sources: Cody Finney, administrator (DHHS); Jack Rob (agency representative), and county partners; DHHS letter dated March 10, 2025, in committee materials.