Electronic health record system implementation for juvenile justice facilities - the pennsylvania department of human services (DHS), through its bureau of juvenile justice services (BJJS), seeks…

Electronic health record system implementation for juvenile justice facilities - the pennsylvania department of human services (DHS), through its bureau of juvenile justice services (BJJS), seeks funding under the CMS state planning grant authorized by section 206 of the consolidated appropriations act to develop and implement an electronic health record (EHR) system for eight programs in seven state-operated youth development centers and youth forestry camps (YDC/YFC). These juvenile facilities house medicaid- and chip-eligible youth with complex behavioral and physical health needs who require well-coordinated care during and after periods of incarceration. Currently, the YDC/YFC system relies on paper-based records, creating inefficiencies in clinical workflows, delays in medicaid documentation and billing, and substantial barriers to continuity of care, particularly during transitions. With grant support, DHS will implement an EHR system that integrates with the juvenile justice automated case system (JJACS), labs, pharmacies, and external providers. The system will include core care documentation, medicaid alignment tools, and reentry planning workflows that support epsdt services and 30-day pre-release coordination. The four-year planning and implementation effort will include a phased rollout beginning in year 1, supported by internal leadership and a full-time contracted business analyst. A dedicated governance structure will oversee milestones, vendor coordination, medicaid compliance, and staff training. The project is designed to result in a sustainable, interoperable system that strengthens reentry planning and medicaid continuity for justice-involved youth. $4,536,712.42 total grant funds requested will support personnel, technical assistance, vendor support, and infrastructure necessary for planning, implementation, and medicaid alignment across all sites.