The Prevention Services for Youth Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance by July 1, 2026, helping states, local governments, and tribal organizations improve access to mental health and substance use prevention services for children, adolescents, and young adults. The guidance will recommend effective prevention services that involve schools, juvenile justice systems, behavioral health providers, and youth development programs, while identifying how states can use Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program to finance and expand these services. The bill also directs the guidance to address culturally appropriate practices for diverse populations, including rural and urban communities and racial and ethnic groups, and to identify best practices for coordinating funding and measuring program effectiveness. The legislation does not specify new funding amounts but requires federal technical assistance to help states implement the recommendations. This bill aims to establish a coordinated, comprehensive approach to preventing mental health and substance use problems among young people.
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