Though we’ve already reported out on the Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII), there are several other additions to this year’s behavioral health budget including $17.5 million dollars over the next several years to ensure that every tenth grader in New York State will have access to Teen Mental Health First Aid. In addition, the budget includes $1 million for a First Responder Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, $8 million dollars for pilot projects for the Daniel’s Law Task Force, $28.6 million for SROs and $38 million for scattered-site housing.
Also, the School Mental Health Resource and Training Center has received an additional $250,000; the proposal in the budget to eliminate Adult Home Advocacy Program and Funding for the Adult Home Equal Program were both rejected by the Legislature and the Governor’s Proposal to create parity for those with gambling addictions in line with substance use disorder has been included in the final budget.
This year’s budget has been incredibly impactful but as with any year, there have been issue left on the table that will be determined in the last week of legislative session including the movement to carve out behavioral health from Medicaid Managed Care; a parity bill that will codify the 2025 federal law in New York to insure that we will not lose benefits if the federal parity law is weakened; legislation that will create a First Responder Peer Program, similar to the successful Dwyer Veterans Peer to Peer Program and legislation that would provide education on mental health for school teacher and other school personnel.
Thanks to MHANYS Counsel John Tauriello and Public Policy Director Jamie Papapetros for this comprehensive analysis listed below.
