Introduction
This resource is a compilation of select training and technical assistance (TTA) centers that are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and offer resources, training, and intensive technical assistance focused on supporting the behavioral health of children and youth.
This document is intended as a technical assistance resource to support navigation to existing HHS-funded resources and supports and does not constitute federal policy or guidance. Readers are encouraged to consult agency language and TTA center websites for more information. Although not all HHS-funded TTA centers with expertise and content focused on children and youth behavioral health are included in this document, it is intended to highlight the types of TTA that HHS is supporting in this area.
HHS-Funded TTA Centers with a Focus on Children and Youth Behavioral Health (note: not intended to be comprehensive)
Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Description: Develops and disseminates information, guidance, and training on the impact of children and youth’s social media use (risks and benefits), especially the potential risks social media platforms pose to their mental health and the clinical and societal interventions that could be used to address these risks.
Supporting agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website: Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Children’s Safety Network
Description: Works with state and jurisdiction Maternal & Child Health and Injury & Violence prevention programs, including suicide and self-harm prevention, to create an environment in which all infants, children, and youth are safe and healthy.
Supporting agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Website: Children's Safety Network
Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Innovation and Improvement Center
Description: Provides technical assistance to EMSC State Partnership grantees. This includes providing technical assistance to emergency departments that are increasingly serving as the front door to care for children in crisis.
Supporting agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Website: EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Center
Description: Provides comprehensive and intensive TTA to recipients of two grant programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health grants and Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for the Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) grants.
Supporting agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Training and Technical Assistance Center
Medicaid School-Based Services Technical Assistance Center
Description: The Medicaid School-Based Services Technical Assistance Center:
- Helps and expands the capacity of state Medicaid agencies (SMAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and school-based entities to provide assistance under Medicaid
- Reduces administrative burdens for those agencies and health centers or entities
- Supports SEAs, LEAs, and school-based entities to be paid for providing assistance under Medicaid
- Ensures ongoing coordination and collaboration between HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) with respect to the provision of, and payment for, assistance under Medicaid by LEAs
- Informs SEAs, LEAs, and the target audience states about how to use funding from HHS, ED, and other federal agencies to be paid under Medicaid for assistance in school-based settings[1]
Supporting agencies: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Education
Website: Medicaid School-Based Services Technical Assistance Center
National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services
Description: Provides support to states, tribes, and territories to build bridges between child welfare systems and state mental health systems to bring about systemic change to improve the mental health outcomes for children and families impacted by the child welfare system.
Supporting agency: Administration for Children and Families
Website: National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services
National Center for Early Childhood Quality Assurance
Description: Supports state and community leaders and their partners in the planning and implementation of rigorous approaches to quality in all early care and education settings for children from birth to school age. The Center works across early childhood sectors, including child care and Head Start, to address the following priorities:
- Advance strong health and safety standards and licensing regulations that align with the Child Care and Development Fund and Head Start Program Performance Standards
- Support the development and enhancement of state quality initiatives, including quality rating and improvement systems
- Enhance quality assurance systems through the use of technology, data analysis, and research that promote continuous quality improvement, efficiency, and innovation
Supporting agency: Administration for Children and Families
Website: National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance
National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Description: Designs evidence-based resources and delivers innovative training and technical assistance to build the capacity of Head Start and other early childhood programs to:
- Support children’s healthy development and school success
- Promote the safety of children, families, and staff
- Provide inclusive, culturally and linguistically responsive services
- Address disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
- Mitigate adversity through trauma-informed care
Supporting agencies: Administration for Children and Families [HC(1]
Website: National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
Description: Provides national TTA to child welfare, dependency court, and substance use treatment professionals to improve the safety, stability, and recovery outcomes for children, parents, and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental disorders and child abuse or neglect.
Supporting agencies: Administration for Children and Families, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website: National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
National Disability Rights Network
Description: Coordinates Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Administration for Community Living TTA initiatives, facilitates dissemination of substantive information to the 57 state protection and advocacy systems, provides each federal agency with full representation opportunities for adequate discussions and consideration of its interest and concerns, and enhances each agency’s ability to monitor emergent issues and problems in the field.
Supporting agencies: Administration for Community Living, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website: National Disability Rights Network
National Empowerment Center
Description: The National Empowerment Center Technical Assistance Center (NEC TAC) is a federally funded consumer/survivor-run national technical assistance and resource center fostering recovery, self-determination, and community inclusion. NEC TAC serves mental health consumer/survivors, peer-run service and advocacy organizations, family members, providers, and decision-makers.
Supporting agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website: National Empowerment Center
School-Based Health Alliance National Training and Technical Assistance Program
Description: Helps health centers to address the unique health needs of school-aged children. Focuses TTA to improve the health of underserved youth, particularly in school-based health centers.
Supporting Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Website: School-Based Health Alliance TTA Program
Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Technical Assistance Program
Description: The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program is a mental and behavioral health resource for primary care professionals. Statewide or regional pediatric mental health teams provide teleconsultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination support services for pediatric primary care physicians to recognize pediatric mental and behavioral health conditions and to diagnose, treat, and refer children with such concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) Technical Assistance Program provides technical assistance to primary care providers to support them in their management and care of mental health concerns in practice and to promote the use of state and regional PMHCA programs across the country.
Supporting Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Website: PMHCA Technical Assistance Program
[1]As listed in section 11003 (a)(2)) of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act