December 23, 2021
Meghan O’Toole
Christine Walker provides expert insight on children’s mental health care
Christine Walker in Illinois Capitol
Christine Walker, MPPA, an instructor in politics and public policy, was an expert witness at a legislative hearing on December 8.
The Illinois House of Representatives and Senate held an emergency joint hearing to address the crisis in children’s mental health care in the state.
Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) and Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) co-chaired the hearing where they heard from providers of care for children with severe emotional distress, pediatricians, state officials, and other experts in order to identify and implement a solution to the lack of residential care available to hundreds of children throughout Illinois.
Walker told legislators of the tremendous cost of providing this intensive level of care, which can average $200,000 annually for one child. School districts bear the financial burden of these residential placements, citing that one school district in Fine’s district spends an average of $3 million a year for the past several years.
The crucial issue the committee wanted to resolve is what is preventing Illinois children from receiving appropriate care. Several recommendations were discussed, including removing the barrier for children with Medicaid from accessing inpatient psychiatric care.
Walker reported to the committee members that the organization she started, The Chasing Hope Foundation, has been working toward creating therapeutic houses for children who have this high level of need right in their own communities. By offering an alternative to an out-of-state therapeutic boarding school, Illinois families can stay together, similar to the Ronald McDonald House model of care.
Walker is currently working with Professor Robert Lemke on building a new public policy minor.