Illinois Launches AI-Powered Portal to Revolutionize Youth Mental Health Support

Illinois’s BEACON portal, developed in partnership with Google, aims to revolutionize youth mental health support by breaking down agency silos and streamlining access to services. The project’s leader shared key insights and learnings from the development process with Government Technology.

Addressing the youth mental health crisis: The BEACON portal is a direct response to the alarming rise in youth mental health challenges in Illinois, exacerbated by the pandemic and workforce shortages:

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 61.8 percent of Illinoisans aged 12 to 17 who have depression did not receive any care in 2021.
• The fragmented nature of the state’s resources, with six agencies offering programs and services, created roadblocks for families seeking help.

Breaking down silos through collaboration: The portal consolidates information and services across multiple child-serving agencies, including the departments of Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Children and Family Services, Juvenile Justice, Public Health, and the Illinois State Board of Education:

• Prior to developing BEACON, initiative leaders worked with agency representatives to expedite placements and services for kids with complex needs, tackling roughly 400 cases since 2022.
• This collaborative effort helped identify barriers and inform the portal’s development.

Phased rollout and consumer feedback: BEACON will be released in phases, starting with a select group of agency representatives before extending to all system partners and eventually the public:

• Incorporating consumer feedback from the beginning resulted in modifications to the original vision, such as adding a document upload feature for storing important documents like individualized education plans or psychological evaluations.
• A user-friendly consent form was created to empower parents or guardians to authorize data sharing between agencies on a case-by-case basis, overcoming legal barriers to interagency collaboration.

The role of AI and automation: While the use of AI in BEACON is minimal, an algorithm based on fixed rules simplifies the process of identifying eligible services for users:

• For example, if a 15-year-old child has anxiety, substance abuse, Medicaid, and a developmental disability, the algorithm instantly identifies potential eligibility for specific programs.
• Automation is expected to alleviate the workload for navigators, allowing them to focus on providing tailored support to families with complex needs.

Broader implications: Director of Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Dana Weiner is optimistic about BEACON’s potential to create lasting change:

• The portal aims to reduce stress and provide clarity for parents seeking services for their children, leading to earlier intervention and fewer acute crises.
• By breaking down silos and leveraging technology, Illinois hopes to transform the way it supports youth mental health, setting an example for other states grappling with similar challenges.

As the BEACON portal prepares for launch, it represents a promising step forward in addressing the youth mental health crisis through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on the needs of families. The project’s success will depend on its ability to effectively break down barriers, streamline access to services, and provide meaningful support to those who need it most.