Intermediate Levels of Care for Children with Behavioral Health Needs

A review of best practices, current implementation, and recommendations for strengthening services in Connecticut

Connecticut’s behavioral health system for children has multiple levels of care including outpatient, intermediate, and inpatient. Intermediate levels of care (ILC) offer a critical service for youth who do not require inpatient hospitalization but who need more intensive and frequent support than outpatient treatment provides.

In Connecticut, demand for ILC services is increasing and outpaces the state's capacity to meet the need. For families needing help with their child’s behavioral health, accessing the right level of care and giving providers the flexibility to move a child “up” or “down” a level is important to achieving positive outcomes.

CHDI's report, Intermediate Levels of Care for Children with Behavioral Health Needs: 

• Identifies national best practices in intermediate levels of care for children (ILC).
• Reviews the landscape of center-based ILC implementation in Connecticut, including challenges, strengths, and opportunities. 
• Provides recommendations for implementing and strengthening center-based ILC in Connecticut to improve access to and quality of these services for children and families. 

Read the executive summary

Download the full report

A review of best practices, current implementation, and recommendations for strengthening services in Connecticut

Connecticut’s behavioral health system for children has multiple levels of care including outpatient, intermediate, and inpatient. Intermediate levels of care (ILC) offer a critical service for youth who do not require inpatient hospitalization but who need more intensive and frequent support than outpatient treatment provides.

In Connecticut, demand for ILC services is increasing and outpaces the state's capacity to meet the need. For families needing help with their child’s behavioral health, accessing the right level of care and giving providers the flexibility to move a child “up” or “down” a level is important to achieving positive outcomes.

Related media coverage

For some CT kids, the mental health care system is struggling
CT Mirror (also published in Hartford Courant), 5/26/24

CT tries to add workers as children wait weeks for mental health services, new study shows
CT Insider, 3/4/24