LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is kicking off four programs to help families and children.
It's a push that's been years in the making and arrives after hundreds of millions of dollars come from federal grant funding.
"We are getting these kids too late," said Melissa Weatherton, DHS Medicaid specialty populations director. "Where did they come from? Why weren't they on our radar? What have we been giving them?"
Weatherton started as an attorney for child welfare and adoptions.
"Back then, I didn't have that context," Weatherton said. "I don't think it really crossed my mind much that, 'Oh, there's something wrong, and we are going to send this child to a psychiatric facility, and they are going to fix it magically.'"
It's a cycle that DHS is trying to combat—a child or family in a crisis with little resources. If the child has any disabilities, they could be sent to a psychiatric center and then get lost in the shuffle.
DHS announced four new programs to help families get services together instead of navigating through multiple providers.
The programs range from children's screening and diagnosis to helping them transition to a foster or temporary home and providing them with easier access to medical providers.
These new programs are being funded through $200 million of pandemic funds from the government.
Now, Weatherton has two boys of her own, both of whom have learning disabilities.
Weatherton said the journey can be difficult, but now, hopefully, there are new options to make it easier.
"There's no magic fix for some of this," Weatherton said. "We have to catch them earlier and get in and help these families so they don't have to go to these places."
This summer, DHS plans to add another program for kids and families focusing on crisis services.