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Provider Notice issued 03/12/13
Screening refers to a brief procedure used to determine the probability of the presence of a problem, substantiate that there is a reason for concern, or identify the need for further evaluation. It should focus on the adolescent's substance use severity (primarily consumption patterns) and a core group of associated factors, such as legal problems, mental health status, educational functioning and living situation. It must have peer-reviewed published data on the reliability and validity of the measure. The following are the substance abuse screening tools approved by HFS for adolescents:
CeASAR - Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research CRAFFT Screening Test
Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Short Screener (GAIN-SS)
Behavioral Health Risk Assessment of Children and Adolescents
| To: | Participating Physicians, Advanced Practice Nurses, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Encounter Rate Clinics (ERCs), Hospitals, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Local Health Departments, School Based/Linked Health Centers |
| Date: | March 12, 2013 |
| Re: | Behavioral Health Risk Assessment of Children and Adolescents |
The purpose of this notice is to inform providers about existing HFS policy to conduct behavioral health risk assessments.
The following excerpts are from the Handbook for Providers of Healthy Kids Services (pdf) (2008) (Handbook). The Handbook is currently under review for compliance to Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Third Edition (2008). An updated Handbook will be available in the near future. Until the time that the revised Handbook is available, providers should follow existing policy as outlined below to assist children and their families.
HK-203.9 RISK ASSESSMENT
Administration of an approved Risk Assessment instrument is essential in early identification of physical and mental problems in all age groups. A Risk Assessment tool assists the health care provider in objectively identifying the factors that predispose an individual to make decision(s) leading to risk-taking behavior, as well as take preventive action by addressing the situation promptly either by treatment or referral to an appropriate agency for support and services.
HK-203.9.1 RISK ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDREN
During a well-child health examination, youth who show signs or symptoms of mental or emotional problems, or indicate signs of substance abuse, should be screened using the Mental Health Screening Instrument or Substance Abuse Screening Instrument. The Experience Questionnaire (EQ) is another tool that may be used to identify the need for referral to substance abuse treatment and may be obtained from the:
Illinois Department of Human Services
DHS Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Web page
Phone: 1-866-213-0548
TTY: 1-866-843-7344
Additionally, HFS recognizes the American Medical Association's (AMA) Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) as an approved health risk assessment instrument. Reimbursement is available for completion of either the Younger Adolescent Questionnaire or the Middle-Older Adolescent Questionnaire.
Parent(s) who indicate the need for mental health or substance abuse treatment services for themselves or their family members may also be referred for services (see Healthy Kids Services Providers Handbook Appendix 3 for a complete list of mental health referral resources by county, and Healthy Kids Services Providers Handbook Appendix 4 for a complete list of substance abuse referral resources by county). Coverage for services extends to eligible participants in HFS Medical Programs.
Youth are less likely than adults to be referred to treatment by a parent, family member or through self-referral. It is important to be able to identify youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems and refer the youth for further assessment and/or treatment when needed. Youth in at-risk environments should be screened, using a tool designed for adolescents, to uncover indicators of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and related problems. Youth with possible alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems as identified through the screening should be referred for a more comprehensive assessment for substance abuse or dependence.
Mental Health Screening
In an effort to improve children's mental health, Illinois has developed an enhanced screening, assessment and support services (SASS) system for children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis, which can be found on the HFS Screening, Assessment and Support Services Web page. The system emphasizes a family-friendly, single point of entry for all children using this system and will ensure that children receive crisis services in the most appropriate setting. A child in need of a Screening and Assessment Service or experiencing a crisis, should be referred to the CARES line at 1-800-345-9049. Refer to Healthy Kids Services Providers Handbook Appendix 3 (pdf)for HFS Mental Health Screening Instrument.
Substance Abuse Screening
HFS Substance Abuse Screening Instrument is available in Healthy Kids Services Providers Handbook Appendix 4.
Providers wishing to receive e-mail notification, when new provider information is posted by the department, may register on the HFS Provider Releases and Bulletins E-mail Notification Request Web page.
Please direct questions regarding this notice to the Bureau of Comprehensive Health Services at 1-877-782-5565.
Theresa A. Eagleson, Administrator
Division of Medical Programs