after making Prioritize mental health Since taking office in early 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law $175 million in mental health spending.
According to documents provided by the Office of Budget and Control, the expenditure will be divided into two tranches.
“The additional $175 million investment in expanding mental health infrastructure and workforce development is significant and has gained broad legislative support,” OBM spokesman Pete Lupiva said in an email. “I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly on this important priority for future budgets.”
according to fact sheet According to OBM, 2.4 million Ohioans live in communities with a shortage of mental health professionals, and 21% of the state’s residents have a mental health or substance use disorder, 2013 Demand for behavioral health services increased 353% between 2019 and 2019. Mental health professionals increased by only 174%.
According to 2020 Reported by United WayOhio ranked in the middle of the states for access to mental health services, but Ohio was the seventh least likely to seek such services.
One tranche of $90 million in the new Mental Health Fund will be used for the Mental Health Crisis Infrastructure Scaling Initiative. A one-time spend looks like this:
- stabilization unit
- Short-Term Crisis Housing Service
- hospital diversion
- step down center
- mobile crisis response
- Behavioral Health Emergency Center
The bill that provides funding requires funds to be allocated locally and spent on construction, renovation and technology upgrades.
An additional $90 million to develop the human capital of the mental health system by funding programs for mental health licenses and credentials at two-year and four-year colleges and universities in Ohio. used for
“The health and success of Ohio’s families and communities depends on our ability to recruit, train and retain the best talent so that Ohio has the most robust workforce. The behavioral health workforce Yes,” DeWine said in a May press release announcing the initiative. “Behavioral health practitioners are an important and important part of our health care system, and our efforts today will rapidly bring more and more qualified professionals into the behavioral health workforce across the state. We look forward to working with the General Assembly, Ohio providers and universities on this innovative plan.”
Among the uses permitted by law, the money will be used for:
- Coordinate the coordination of multi-agency campaigns and initiatives.
- Develop programs for scholarships and paid internship funding to colleges and universities.
- Fund short-term internships managed by local behavioral health providers.
- Expand residency training and fellowship programs for advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians dedicated to serving the behavioral health, geriatrics, and developmental disabilities communities.
- Fund public universities that develop or enhance distance learning opportunities or offer additional degree programs that lead to qualified or licensed behavioral health careers.
- Encourage people to seek training in the field of mental health through campaigns promoting training programs for school guidance counselors, college and university academic advisors, and employment counselors.
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