APA WF 26-11 Active Treatment for Children
The proposed policy revisions strengthen discharge and transition planning requirements for children receiving inpatient psychiatric care by ensuring aftercare appointments are scheduled and appropriate step-down services are recommended upon discharge.
Please view the draft regulatory text here and submit feedback via the comment box.
Circulation Date: 6/12/26
Comment Due Date: 6/27/26
Requested Effective Date: Immediately upon gubernatorial approval.
Submit a Comment
After you submit your comment, you should be re-directed to a confirmation page. If you are not, please submit your comment through e-mail to federal.authorities@okhca.org.
Please note that all comments must be reviewed and approved prior to posting. Approved comments will be posted Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Any comments received after 4 p.m. will be posted on the following business day.
Comments
Caley:
I write in support of the proposed revisions implementing Section 5121 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which would extend certain Medicaid-covered services to eligible justice-involved youth during the critical period surrounding community reentry.
Justice-involved youth often have significant histories of trauma, adverse childhood experiences, behavioral health needs, substance use concerns, and disruptions in stable care and services. Beginning screening, diagnostic services, and targeted case management prior to release can help reduce gaps in care and strengthen connections to community-based supports.
At the same time, successful implementation will require careful planning. Oklahoma already faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages and long waitlists for psychological and mental health services. Expanding access for justice-involved youth during a narrow 30-day pre-release window will create challenges related to provider contracts, billing processes, referral pathways, care coordination, and service availability.
To meet the intent of this rule, we need to have the infrastructure to effectively support it. OHCA will need to ensure that qualified psychologists and other mental health professionals are available and accessible within realistic timelines. Fiscal responsibility will also require strong continuity-of-care planning from the point of first identification, rather than waiting until immediately before release. Without adequate provider capacity and coordinated billing and contracting systems, the promise of this policy will not come to fruition.
I am encouraged by the proposed interagency collaboration among OHCA, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. I respectfully encourage OHCA to prioritize timely implementation planning, provider network development, clear billing guidance, and seamless coordination across systems.
Investing in reentry care for justice-involved youth is an investment in healthier families, safer communities, and better long-term outcomes for Oklahoma.
