New Medicaid Opportunities to Support Youth Leaving Incarceration: Building Community Well-Being and Advancing Prevention Efforts
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NEW RESOURCE TO SUPPORT YOUTH REENTRY FROM THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE STRATEGIES!
Check out this great new report that provides guidance and strategies on leveraging medicaid to help youth reentry. From their description:
Youth incarceration and justice system involvement exacerbate unmet health and well-being needs, creating a cycle of reincarceration, lack of care, and poor health outcomes. Although more than 60 percent of youth who are incarcerated are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, the longstanding inmate exclusion policy has prohibited the use of Medicaid funding for youth returning to their communities from incarceration. This policy further perpetuates poor health outcomes and reincarceration among this population.
New federal requirements, along with state-level initiatives, are creating critical opportunities for states to use Medicaid funding to improve services that support youth transitioning from incarceration back to their communities, safely and effectively. Well-coordinated services and supports can reduce justice system involvement and advance broader prevention and health equity goals for youth and families.
This report, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, provides guidance for states on leveraging Medicaid to improve transitions from incarceration for youth involved with the justice system. It examines the health and well-being needs of youth who are incarcerated and outlines new federal requirements and Medicaid opportunities to facilitate better transitions. Drawing from a national scan and stakeholder interviews, the report highlights best practices and practical steps for implementation, with an emphasis on youth and family involvement, cross-system collaboration, community partnerships, and expanded services outside of the justice system.