Funding Models for the Chicago Parent Program

Many agencies begin offering the Chicago Parent Program (CPP) with grant or philanthropic support, but sustaining services after the funding ends can be challenging. We spoke with Dr. Amie Bettencourt, Director of CPP Training, about funding options agencies may use to support ongoing CPP implementation. Here’s what we learned.

Across the country, CPP is used in health, education, and social service settings and funding options vary by setting, purpose and state. For example, some Baltimore City Public Schools have used a portion of their Title 1 Part A funds for parent engagement activities, including CPP. Some Head Start programs have used their mental health budgets to support CPP. Check with school and Head Start leaders in your community to learn whether these funds are available to support CPP implementation with families. 

Health care providers who can bill Medicaid or commercial insurance have been using a range of billing codes to cover CPP and CPP Individualized for Families (CPPi) when services are delivered across different settings (e.g., primary care, schools, community mental health settings). Available billing CPT codes depend on a number of factors such as session length, CPP group versus individual format (CPPi), in-person versus telehealth delivery, the background and licensure of the clinician providing the services, the setting in which the services are provided and whether CPP services are being used for psychoeducation/training or treatment of a diagnosed child behavioral health problem (which may also require a diagnostic assessment). Because availability, coverage and reimbursement rules for specific CPT billing codes vary by state, Dr. Bettencourt recommends checking your state’s Medicaid agency Provider Services Call Center to identify available billing codes and eligible providers. 

How have you been able to sustain CPP/CPPi in your agency? We’d love to hear about your experiences finding pathways for financially sustaining CPP – both successes and challenges. Email us at CPPinfo@chicagoparentprogram.org.