The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid has contracted with Liberty Healthcare Corporation as an independent assessment provider for the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) / Jeff D Program. It is Liberty’s responsibility to provide clinical diagnostic assessments and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessments to determine if an applicant can be considered a YES Class Member.

Youth Empowerment Services (YES) is Idaho’s children’s mental health system of care that helps families access services and supports for their children under 18 with serious emotional disturbance (SED). The YES system of care also creates meaningful partnerships between families, youth, providers, and public agencies to address the youth’s specific needs and help them function better at home, in school, and in the community.

The application process for the YES program has two steps.

1. Complete a functional assessment with Liberty Healthcare.
2. If your child is determined to have an SED, you can then apply for Medicaid.

Serious emotional disturbance (SED) is the legal term used when a child under the age of 18 has the combination of a mental health diagnosis and a functional impairment, as determined by the CANS tool. A functional impairment impacts a child’s ability to participate socially, academically, and emotionally at home, at school, or in the community.

The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool is used in Idaho to identify a youth’s strengths and needs, including a functional impairment. The CANS uses the youth and family’s story to recognize strengths that can help during treatment, as well as needs that may require intervention. The results of the CANS are used to help identify appropriate services and then help monitor progress towards goals.

Children who do not have Medicaid, or children who need respite care, should go through the assessment process with Liberty Healthcare. If the child is determined to have Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), they may be eligible for Medicaid because the income limits for Medicaid are higher for youth with SED. Income limits of up to 300% of the federal poverty guideline for Medicaid are considered for children with serious emotional disturbance. Children must have an SED determination from Liberty Healthcare before applying for Medicaid to qualify with the higher income limit or to receive respite care.

Once you have completed the application process, you will receive a written notice in the mail regarding eligibility for the YES program.  If you have any questions about the application process, you may call 1-833-644-8296. 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid has the latest information on their official YES program available at: YES.idaho.gov

• Parents – Learn about the YES project, eligibility for services, and local supports to help your child with mental health concerns.
• Youth – Find local resources, learn about the new services and supports, and discover how Idaho’s new system of care can empower you on your journey to mental wellness.
• Providers – The YES program will change the way Idaho supports children and youth with mental illness. Discover how these changes will help you better serve your clients. Find resources, get more information about the new services and ask questions about YES.
• Community – The partners participating in the YES project are working hard to improve mental health supports in Idaho. Find links to YES partner agencies and resources to help you understand how organizations throughout the state are working to improve mental health care.
• Project – Projects the size of YES come with many details. Look here to find project specific documents, calendars, updates on progress, information about the Jeff D. Settlement Agreement, and archives to past information.
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, information regarding who is eligible for benefit services