In a recent class action lawsuit families said Illinois wasn’t giving children on Aedicaid access to necessary mental health help. Families said it was particularly hard to get treatment in the community and children were unnecessarily ending up institutions.

The state and families have now reached a settlement. It forces the state to pay for services, including community-based therapy and in-home support. The hope is that more children will be able to stay with their families.

The state will not comment until the settlement gets final court approval. That’s expected to happen in late December.