Legislative Updates

FY25 Budget Request

The Department of Mental Health is scheduled to present its FY25 budget request to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on September 29, 2023. A summary of the request is below:

  • General funds requested include a $33,803,841 increase from FY24. This request includes:
    • $9,500,000 for staffing and operation of the new 83-bed Forensic Unit
    • $10,204,391 to sustain current and FY24/FY25 new enrollees on the ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver due to rate increases and enhanced FMAP (federal share) reduced
    • $5,571,774 to enroll 400 people on the ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver
    • $4,666,251 for salary adjustments including Shift Differential for Support Care, in-range adjustments, and for filling of some vacant positions
    • $3,000,000 for East MS State Hospital Substance Use Disorder Unit
    • $861,425 for Mississippi State Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program

The two largest aspects of this request are the approximately $9.5 million for staffing an operation of a new Forensic Services unit at Mississippi State Hospital and approximately $10.2 million for ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver Sustainability.

Forensic Services – MSH is the only state-operated inpatient program that provides forensic mental health services in Mississippi. The limited number of beds available for people who need inpatient observation and treatment is the main factor contributing to delays in completing evaluations and providing expert opinions to Circuit Courts. In the past, there were 35 forensic beds, only 15 of those were available for evaluation and competency restoration services. MSH is in the process of renovating a building to be opened in the Summer of 2024 to serve as an 83-bed Forensic Services unit. Additional funding is being requested in the amount of $9,500,000 in general funds for staffing and operation of the 83-bed maximum security Forensic Unit.

ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver Sustainability – As of July 1, 2023, there were 2,733 people receiving ID/DD Waiver services and 200 additional people will be enrolled in the current fiscal year. In FY 2024, the Division of Medicaid approved an average rate increase of 18% and the enhanced FMAP (federal share) will also be reduced. Additional funding is being requested in the amount of $10,204,391 in general funds for the state share of support for the current number of people enrolled on the Waiver and the anticipated 200 additional people to be enrolled in FY 2024.

For additional details and more information about the DMH FY25 budget request, please click here.

2023 Legislative Session Update

Appropriations

The Department of Mental Health FY24 budget was appropriated in SB 3025 during the 2023 legislative session. The final bill appropriates:

  • $234,206,164 in General Funds. This is an approximate $12.5 million increase compared to the current fiscal year. DMH had requested an approximate $25 million increase for FY24.
  • $2,568,169 for 200 additional ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver slots.
  • $2 million over the FY23 Health Care Expendable Fund appropriation that is dedicated for a fentanyl and drug abuse education program established in HB 231 and the law enforcement training and court liaisons specified in HB 1222.

HB 1222 The Collaborative Response to Mental Health Act

HB 1222 is the Collaborative Response to Mental Health Act. It was signed by the governor on March 22. It has numerous provisions relating to mental health services, the Board of Mental Health, regional commissions, and more. Some highlights of the final version of HB 1222 include:

  • Law enforcement agencies in the state are required to have Mental Health First Aid and CIT training for officers.
  • DMH shall provide funding to each CMHC to designate Court Liaisons for their service areas.
  • Board of Mental Health members are limited to two consecutive terms, with additional provisions for current Board members who are re-appointed following passage of this act.
  • Regional commissioners are specifically authorized to be chancery clerks, sheriffs, or deputies. The bill specifies some training requirements for commissioners and allows chancery clerks and sheriffs to also appoint non-voting liaisons to commissions.
  • Counties are required to report several data points to DMH regarding the placement of individuals before and after involuntary civil commitment proceedings, as well as information regarding the total number of commitment hearings that were held, denials from Crisis Stabilization Units, and more. DMH shall provide a summary of this info to the Legislature, the Coordinator of Mental Health Accessibility, and the President of the Mississippi Association of CMHCs.

HB 231

HB 231 requires DMH to develop and implement a comprehensive statewide fentanyl and drug abuse education, prevention and cessation program that is based on scientific data and research that thave been shown to be effective. Funding for this program was provided in SB 3025 through the Health Care Expendable Fund.

DMH ARPA COVID Funding – September 2022 Status Update

DMH also provided the JLBC with an update on the status of funding provided through SB 2865, which provided $86 million for behavioral health crisis services, diversion from a higher level of care, IDD crisis services, and more for up to 4.5 years. It also provides $18.5 million for information technology resources at Community Mental Health Centers. Below are status updates regarding DMH’s implementation of this funding.

  • 988 Implementation – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July to the two Lifeline Centers in Mississippi, and both responded. The RFPs have a specific outcome of increasing staffing levels and technology at the Lifeline Centers to respond to the increase call volume with the launch of 988 on July 16, 2022. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required of the Lifeline Centers.
  • Mobile Crisis Response Teams – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July with the specific outcome of expanding the response capabilities of the Mobile Crisis Response Teams in anticipation of additional need with the launch of 988 on July 16. All 13 Community Mental Health Centers responded to the RFP. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required of the CMHCs.
  • Crisis Services (SMI) – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July to the CMHCs listed above for the expansion of Crisis Stabilization Units/Beds. Region 8 has not responded to the RFP due to meeting with local county officials to try and secure a location and funding to renovate the location. Region 12 is in the process of revising the budget for the Diversion Center. In DMH’s proposal, the funding would only be used for direct services, not renovations. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required of the CMHCs.
  • Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety Training – In the first half of FY23, DMH will partner with law enforcement to host a train‐the‐trainer and in the second half of FY23 DMH and trained partners will begin providing the training to approximately 300 people. The coordination of these efforts will be handled by DMH with existing staff.
  • Crisis Intervention Training for Law Enforcement – In the first half of FY23, DMH will hire a contract position to coordinate all CIT efforts. This will include the coordination of CIT trainings and the establishment of three CIT programs. The Request for Applications was issued on August 22 and will close on September 7. The selection process will be finalized September 19 and the CIT Coordinator will begin October 1.
  • Peer Support Services – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July with the specific outcome of developing a Peer Respite Program. Three providers responded to the RFP. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Grants will be awarded for the development of three Peer Respite Programs. Monthly outcome reports will be required.
  • Court/Law Enforcement/Hospital Liaisons – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July with the specific outcome of the CMHCs hiring 18 court/hospital/law enforcement liaisons to divert people from the commitment process. The location of the 18 liaisons is based on the number of commitments and population by county. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required.
  • Intensive Community Support Specialists for Children and Youth – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July with the specific outcome of employment of an ICSS for the CMHCs that do not currently have an ICSS dedicated to children and youth (Regions 4, 9, 10, 15 and an additional ICSS for Regions 6 and 12 due to the size of the catchment area). This would allow the service to be available in all CMHC regions. Region 10/Weems Community Mental Health Center declined to apply due to staffing shortages. With the addition of these ICSS programs, every CMHC excluding Region 10, will operate and be able to provide ICSS to children and families statewide. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required.
  • Adolescent Offender Program – Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July with the specific outcome of developing an Adolescent Offender Program in all 13 CMHC regions. All CMHCs responded to the RFP with the exception of Region 10/Weems Community Mental Health Center. Region 10 submitted a letter stating lack of staff prohibited their application. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required.
  • Crisis Services (IDD) – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late July for four, four‐bed and one six‐bed Crisis Diversion Homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At a rate of $302.23 per day, with a rate of $465 when one‐on‐one 2022 Legislative Update supervision is required, there was only one response to the RFP. Due to this, DMH changed direction and is providing funding for individual crisis beds at provider certified by DMH and issuing a revised RFP. The RFPs are being reviewed by Horne LLP to ensure all ARPA requirements are met before the grants are awarded. Monthly outcome reports will be required.The six‐bed Crisis Diversion Home at Boswell Regional Center opened the end of August. Monthly outcome reports will be required.DMH is in the process of finalizing a contract for the three‐year plan for consultation and technical support in the design and implementation of a pilot program for individuals with IDD and mental health service needs and training to develop the expertise needed to provide effective crisis supports to people with intellectual/developmental disability and mental health needs. DMH anticipates the contract to be finalized and work to begin by November.