Nearly 900 children in Texas are currently on a waitlist for the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver program, which provides intensive mental health services for families who cannot afford long-term psychiatric inpatient care. This program serves about 2,200 children and is facing a funding crisis as providers are leaving due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Started in 2015, the YES program has been a lifeline for families like Nidia Heston’s, whose son Quin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, autism, and ADHD. After struggling to find appropriate care for her son, Heston was approved for the program, allowing Quin to receive treatment at home or in offices. The program provides a team of specialists who offer various behavioral health services, adaptive support, specialized therapies, and minor home modifications.
However, due to stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates and a lack of providers, the program has seen a decline in the number of children served. Wait times vary by county, with rural areas most affected. Advocates are calling for increased funding for the program to expand critical services and improve access to mental health care for youth in Texas.
Quin Heston, now 22, has benefitted greatly from the YES program and is advocating for its expansion. Despite bipartisan support for increased provider rates, the proposal failed in the 2023 legislative session. Advocacy groups are urging lawmakers to approve a budget appropriation request to expand services, including the YES program.
Improving access to mental health services for youth is crucial to addressing the growing need in Texas. Making crisis services, outpatient programs, and home-based services reimbursable through Medicaid could help more families navigate the mental health system and get the support they need.
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