The Department of Children and Families and the Department of Social Services have formed the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership (CT BHP) to plan and implement an integrated public behavioral health service system for children and families.

The primary goal of the CT BHP is to provide enhanced access to and coordination of a more complete and effective system of community-based behavioral health services and supports and to improve member outcomes. Secondary goals include better management of state resources and increased federal financial participation in the funding of behavioral health services.

The CT BHP is designed to eliminate the major gaps and barriers that exist in the current children’s behavioral health delivery system. As such, both Departments are committing resources to develop a full continuum of behavioral health services for children that include evidenced based programs, non-traditional support services and community based alternatives to restrictive institutional levels of care.

Through collaboration with family members, providers and social support systems, the CT BHP promotes a strengths based treatment approach that focuses on client success. Particular attention is given to the cultural needs and preferences of the child and family and treatment planning reflects this focus on cultural competency.