New York State’s Mental Health Services For Children To Undergo Makeover Following Lawsuit Settlement

New York has agreed to substantially overhaul its mental health services for children and youth following a proposed settlement on August 8, 2025, in the class action lawsuit C.K. v. McDonald, filed in 2022. A fairness hearing took place on January 6, 2026, to determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If approved, the settlement will be binding on all class members and will reshape how New York delivers mental health services to its most vulnerable young residents.

The settlement addresses longstanding concerns about how the state provides intensive home- and community-based mental health services to . . .