Early Detection and Intervention Services for Children with Mental Illness Act

2. 1. TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:16 SENATE RECEIVED ON S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE EARLY DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EXPLANATORY NOTE It is estimated that one out of seven or around 5.1 million Filipino children are living with disabilities. Children with disabilities continue to experience challenges in accessing basic social services. These children are less likely to attend school, access medical services, or have their voices heard in society. Their conditions also place them at a higher risk of physical abuse and discrimination. Through this legislation, a framework is envisioned wherein society adopts structures and mechanisms to ensure that children, irrespective of age, gender, and disability, must enjoy the human rights that are inherent in all individuals. Disability cannot be considered in isolation and having special needs should not be used for discrimination. This bill aims to put in place a comprehensive and coordinated health policy on children with special needs, especially for the early detection and timely intervention, that would provide the directions and guidelines for the concerned agencies. Therefore, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought. nav, MARK A. VILLAR RO

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:16 SENATE RECEND S. No. 588 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE EARLY DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Early Detection and

Intervention Services for Children with Mental Illness Act"

Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated

and comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to everyone at an affordable cost.

Sec 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms

are hereby defined as follows: a) Special Needs refers to a variety of conditions, difficulties, and impairments, including but not limited to chronic and terminal illnesses, physical impairments, behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric issues, and learning disability that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations such as education or recreation. A special needs child may have a life-threatening condition or they may have severe learning disabilities. b) Intervention refers to educational methods and positive behavioral support strategies designed to improve the condition of a child suffering from a mental disorder.

Sec 4. Early Detection and Timely Intervention Services. - The Department of

Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall undertake to develop a program providing comprehensive, accessible, and affordable early detection and timely intervention services for children with special needs. The objectives of this program include but is not limited to the following: a) To increase awareness, reduce barriers to screening and diagnosis, promote and evidence-based interventions for children with special needs or other developmental disabilities. b) To build a qualified and adequately trained workforce prepared to provide special needs services for children and their families. c) To conduct a comprehensive, multi-faceted public awareness campaign to educate families, the general public, and other key audiences about the benefits of children's social and emotional development, and how to access services. d) To create a quality-driven children's special needs system with shared accountability among agencies and programs that conducts ongoing needs assessments, uses outcome indicators and benchmarks to measure progress, and implements a quality data tracking and reporting system.

Sec 5. Special Needs Centers. - All local government units shall endeavor to

establish special needs centers offering early intervention and transition programs and shall provide programs and services that will prepare special needs children for activities in mainstream society.

Sec 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd and the DOH, in

coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, and consultation with the relevant private sector practitioners and representatives of the academic community, shall promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act, within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

Sec 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this

Act shall be charged to the appropriations or funds of the implementing agencies and concerned Local Government Units.

Sec 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,