If enacted, the proposed changes for Therapeutic Behavioral Services will impact children across the Commonwealth by allowing for fewer mental health services in the short term, and fewer qualified and credentialed counselors in the long term. The direct result will be a decrease in access to mental health services for populations served by DMAS. Today, children and families benefit enormously from quality, child-focused early intervention services to alleviate the life-long effects of adverse childhood events and/or early identification and treatment for mental illness. Removing access to these services will leave our most vulnerable populations more impaired for longer periods of time further impacting their opportunities for successful long-term outcomes. DO NOT approve the proposed changes to provider qualifications for psychiatric services as outlined in Chapter II, pages 15-16 to eliminate the ability of residents in counseling and supervisees in social work to see clients in outpatient counseling settings.