During the recently concluded legislative session, Idaho lawmakers approved all of Little “Leading Idaho’s” proposals for increased behavioral health resources.
BOISE, Idaho — Gov. Brad Little hosted a signing ceremony for his key Idaho behavioral health legislation on Tuesday, joined by Idaho Supreme Court justices, lawmakers and administration officials. Little.
During the recently concluded legislative session, Idaho lawmakers approved all of Little “Leading Idaho’s” proposals for increased behavioral health resources.
“Promoting safe communities is our top priority,” Little said. “Our vision is that Idahoans living with mental illness and addiction – and their families – receive the behavioral health care services they need when they need them. We believe that if this vision is realizes, our communities will become healthier and safer places.”
Approved proposals were created by recommendations from the Idaho Behavioral Health Council Strategic Plan. During Tuesday’s signing ceremony, Little highlighted several behavioral health proposals that must go through the legislative session.
First, Idaho is joining the new National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which expands from the current Idaho National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. New suicide and crisis lifeline ‘988’ connects Idahoans to care and support for suicidal thoughts.
9-8-8 becomes operational on July 16 and is available to anyone experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, in addition to suicidal thoughts. Governor Little recommended $4.4 million in funding for the resource, which was appropriated by the Idaho Legislature for fiscal year 2023.
Little also applauded the addition of community behavioral health clinics, which give people in crisis the opportunity to stabilize and receive needed treatment when they are dealing with complex mental illnesses and use disorders. of substances.
Governor Little recommended $6 million in funding to explore the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, which was appropriated by the Idaho Legislature for fiscal year 2023.
Idaho’s increase in behavioral health support also includes recovery centers for essential services for those recovering from substance use or behavioral health disorders.
The $900,000 funding for the recovery centers comes from the Millennial Fund, which was also earmarked by the Idaho Legislature for fiscal year 2023.
In fiscal year 2022, Little recommended $15 million for residential psychiatric care facilities and programs. One-time general funds allow Idaho to bring children receiving services in other states back into the Gem State.
Tuesday’s ceremony also touched on Idaho adding safe havens for teens, providing a placement option for arrested or runaway youth. The program connects their families with “long-term community resources avoiding further entry into the child protection and juvenile justice systems.”
A one-time additional funding of $6.5 million will be provided to the Department of Juvenile Corrections’ fiscal year 2022 budget for adolescent secure homes.
The final behavioral health priority highlighted by Governor Little on Tuesday was youth crisis centers for youth security, stabilization and case management services throughout Idaho.
A one-time additional funding of $4.4 million will be provided to the Department of Juvenile Corrections’ fiscal year 2022 budget for youth crisis centers.
“This is a historic three-pronged collaboration to study the state’s behavioral health service delivery system and improve care for Idahoans with mental health and addiction disorders,” said said Little. “Never before have the executive, legislative and judicial branches come together to achieve a common vision for behavioral health.”
The Behavioral Health Council – a three-pronged council – was created in 2020. An executive order by Governor Little created the council and the Idaho Supreme Court also issued a proclamation at the time and the legislature passed a concurrent resolution, to support creation of the council.
A full breakdown of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council’s recommendations included in Governor Little’s FY 2023 “Leading Idaho” Executive Budget, successfully appropriated by the Idaho Legislative Assembly, can be found at clicking on this link.
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