May 7, 2018 To the members of the Minnesota Legislature, I’m eager and excited to announce every county in Minnesota – all 87 – has taken formal affirmative action on a resolution that supports state capital investments for regional behavioral health crisis program facilities and permanent supportive housing for people with behavioral health needs. Counties came to the legislature this session seeking $30 million for crisis stabilization facilities and $50 million for permanent supportive housing. Building facilities that offer crisis stabilization services and increasing access to permanent supportive housing is an important step forward in building a more comprehensive continuum of care. The House bonding bill has included funding for these initiatives and counties are hopeful that these important priorities are part of the final bonding package. Too often, individuals experiencing behavioral health crisis are stuck in hospitals or jails that lack appropriate services – or worse yet, becoming stranded with no services available at all. The lack of a balanced community-based system has led to incredible pressures on the few state facilities of care and increased costs for counties. Counties are currently responsible for a share of costs associated with state-operated hospitals like the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC), where individual communities hold clients who are waiting for a lower level of care. The goal of the bill is to build facilities throughout Minnesota that:
All 87 counties join with many statewide community partners who support this legislation, including the following: American Academy of Pediatrics – Minnesota Chapter, Association of Minnesota Counties, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Inter-County Association, Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, and National Alliance on Mental Illness-Minnesota. On behalf of all 87 Minnesota counties, we urge your support and advocacy of this vital $30 million bonding legislation that provides funding for behavioral health crisis centers across the state, as well as $50 million for supportive housing. Sincerely, Commissioner Susan Morris, Isanti County 2018 President, Association of Minnesota Counties |