The Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing a number of measures related to services for children and adolescents with behavioral health needs. The full text of their announcement is available for review and a summary of key elements of the DHS action plans are highlighted below:

Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS)

• Concentrating efforts on the development of appropriate regulatory guidance for BHRS.
• Established a work group that will review existing policies, bulletins, and data that will be used to draft the regulations by November 2016.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

• Developed a two-year action plan to enhance access and quality of ABA services.
• Will develop new requirements for the training, qualifications, skills, and experience of practitioners.
• Issued bulletins clarifying the training requirements for TSS workers and newly licensed behavior specialists who use BSC-ASD services to provide ABA.
• Issued a bulletin that provides guidelines to assess the medical necessity of ABA.

Behavior Specialist Licensure

• Will send out guidance to accredited colleges and universities that are interested in developing graduate-level coursework or programs.
• Will provide guidance for students on how they can satisfy the coursework and experience requirements while working towards their degree.