Federal Foundation Assistance Monitor

(MENTAL HEALTH) ND Looks to Cut Costs by Focusing On Community Care

The initial budget proposal for North Dakota's new governor, Jack Dalrymple (R), includes increased funding to provide community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment, thus decreasing the burden of uncompensated care on private hospitals.

The funds would improve access to local facilities, with the goal of enabling those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse to stabilize their condition while remaining in their community.

The proposal would make additional funds available to help fight youth suicide on reservations and address mental health problems among high school and college students, with a goal of placing at least one mental health officer on each campus.

Exclusive FAM insider's tip: In addition to the mental health/substance abuse provisions, the budget proposal had some other interesting provisions that should interest other states.

Info: For more on Dalyrymple's proposal, please visit http://tinyurl.com/34oysqh.

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