Governor Walz Takes Action to Relieve Hospital Capacity, Help Children in Crisis

Press Release

Governor Tim Walz today announced $2.86 million to help Minnesota children experiencing a behavioral health crisis get the care they need, while also supporting the state's hospitals as they continue to manage limited capacity due to COVID-19.

Hospitals around the state have seen an influx of children with high behavioral health needs during the pandemic, but struggle to transition them to lower levels of care when they are ready. Governor Walz's proposal uses $2.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan funding to maintain and expand capacity at psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children who no longer need hospital care. The proposal includes another $360,000 for intensive coordination for intensive coordination services to help families, providers, and other partners manage transitions out of hospitals for these youth.

"Children in crisis deserve compassionate, appropriate care that helps them transition out of hospitals and back to their families and guardians when they're ready," said Governor Walz. "This proposal uses federal funds to take quick action and help address mental health treatment for kids across the state."

Many mental health treatment programs have reported reductions in capacity due in part to workforce shortages. Up to $500,000 will be available to each children's psychiatric residential treatment facility to cover costs such as retention bonuses, overtime costs, staff training, and activities related to hospital transfers. Providers must be accepting admissions prior to June 2022 to be eligible for the funding.

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