CHDI testifies on essential role of youth crisis services at Children's Committee hearing
Public Hearing on H.B. 6951: An Act Concerning Children’s Behavioral Health Services
CHDI's President and CEO Jeff Vanderploeg testified at the Children's Committee public hearing on February 20, 2025 where he urged the committee to fully fund Connecticut's mobile crisis program and other behavioral health crisis services for children.
Vanderploeg said he strongly supports legislative action that strengthens our state’s continuum of crisis services: 9-8-8, 2-1-1, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS), Urgent Crisis Centers (UCC), Subacute Crisis Stabilization Centers (SAC), and hospital emergency departments (EDs). This best practice continuum of services has taken years to establish; however, these services are at risk of being severely diminished or closing altogether if sufficient and sustainable funding is not appropriated this session.
"Without a doubt, mobile crisis is saving the state money." - Jeff Vanderploeg, CHDI President and CEO
Vanderploeg explained that these behavioral health crisis services for youth are essential for families and provide a cost-saving investment for the State. He shared research showing mobile crisis services reduced visits to hospital emergency rooms and safely diverted youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis from in-patient hospitalization.
CHDI serves as the Performance Improvement Center providing quality improvement support for Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services and Urgent Crisis Centers.
Read Jeff's submitted testimony
Watch Jeff's testimony on CT-N (5:29:00)
See related media stories:
NBC Connecticut (2/20/25): Lawmakers considering funding for urgent crisis centers
CT by the Numbers (12/28/24): Addressing Urgent Behavioral Health Needs of Youth