DMH Requests Level Funding for Fiscal Year 2019
The Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) consolidated budget includes all budget units under DMH. DMH is requesting restoration of the $3,116,446 (1.37%) LBR reduction in state support funding. This includes general funds in the amount of $207,763,132 and healthcare funds in the amount of $18,951,886. DMH is also requesting level special fund spending authority (same as FY18) in the amount of $356,422,737, for a total budget request of $583,137,755.
- With state support level funding (same as FY18), DMH plans to shift $10 million from the institutional budgets to the Service Budget to expand evidence-based/best practice services in the community to reduce reliance on institut
ional care. Of the $10 million, $8 million will be granted to the 14 Community Mental Health Centers for expansion of crisis services and purchase of services. The remaining $2 million will be used to expand the ID/DD Home and Community Bas
ed Waiver. - Due to DMH’s efforts to streamline services over the last two years, the agency can now shift funds from institutional care to expand community-based services that will help serve people in the most independent environments poss
ible. - With state source level funding, DMH will continue efforts such as expansion of community services for people with mental illnesses, jail-based restoration, development of supervised living for people currently in institutions,
expansion of ID/DD (Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities) Waiver slots, restructuring the Direct Care Series, and continue administrative consolidation at DMH Programs. - DMH requests the removal or modification of language that restricts future movement towards the expansion of community-based services. This includes Section 22 in SB 2976, DMH’s appropriations bill, which caps the spending for I
D/DD Waiver at $28.5 million. - If DMH receives anything above level funding, those funds will go towards Mississippi’s ID/DD Waiver. The ID/DD Waiver provides individualized supports to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to assist them in liv
ing successfully at home and in the community.