(1) The health care authority shall, within available funds:

(a) Identify internal business operation issues that limit the authority’s ability to meet legislative intent to coordinate existing categorical children’s mental health programs and funding;

(b) Collect reliable mental health cost, service, and outcome data specific to children. This information must be used to identify best practices and methods of improving fiscal management;

(c) Revise the early and periodic screening diagnosis and treatment plan to reflect the mental health system structure in place as necessary to conform to changes in the structure.

(2) The health care authority and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall jointly identify school districts where mental health and education systems coordinate services and resources to provide public mental health care for children. The health care authority and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall work together to share information about these approaches with other school districts, managed care organizations, behavioral health administrative services organizations, and state agencies.

Effective date—2019 c 325: See note following RCW 71.24.011.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.

Effective date—2014 c 225: See note following RCW 71.24.016.

Legislative support affirmed—2003 c 281: “The legislature affirms its support for: Improving field-level cross-program collaboration and efficiency; collecting reliable mental health cost, service, and outcome data specific to children; revising the early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment plan to reflect the current mental health system structure; and identifying and promulgating the approaches used in school districts where mental health and education systems coordinate services and resources to provide public mental health care for children.” [ 2003 c 281 § 1.]