NAMI Minnesota, 800 Transfer Road, Suite 31, St. Paul, MN 55114
MEDIA RELEASE – January 27, 2015
Contact: Sue Abderholden, 612-202-3595, sabderholden@namimn.org
Mental Health Organizations Applaud Governor’s Support for Mental Health
St. Paul, MN – The Mental Health Legislative Network, a coalition of over 35 organizations, applauds
Governor Dayton for increasing funding for critical mental health services in Minnesota. After working hard
over the past seven years to establish a core set of services across the state, advocates hoped that this session
would result in increased funding to ensure statewide access, strong and stable providers, improved access to
intensive services and earlier intervention. Simply put, we know what works; let’s build on it. Governor
Dayton’s budget puts the money in programs that work and if passed, will definitely help build up the
capacity of our system to meet the needs. It also addresses the fragility of our system; focuses on prevention
and early intervention, and provides more access to treatment, care and community supports.
A key provision in the Governor’s proposal is a substantial increase of $4.6 million in funding for the
biennium for mental health crisis services. This includes creating a single phone line, increasing rates for
crisis services, and expanding 24/7 availability across the state. If passed, this will result in people in crisis
receiving the treatment they need and diverting people from emergency rooms, hospitals and jails.
It is important to note that the proposed increases in funding to improve our mental health system are not
only in the human services budget. In addition, the Governor put an increase of $1.25 million in funding into
the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the Bridges housing program for people with mental illnesses
and put increased funding of $1 million per year into the DEED budget for evidence-based employment
programs for people with mental illnesses. This recognizes that stable housing and employment are important
to helping people recover. There is an additional $2.3 million per year to expand Positive Behavior
Intervention and Supports (PBIS), which improves educational and behavior outcomes in the schools.
Other provisions in the Governor’s DHS budget that the Mental Health Legislative Network strongly
supports include:
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Expanding the number of Assertive Community Treatment teams, including Forensic teams. These
teams are called “hospitals without walls” and help people live well in the community.
Expanding funding by $250,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year for respite care for
families who have a child with a serious mental illness. Families need a break to recharge their
batteries. Respite care decreases out-of-home placements.
Supporting a new type of residential program for children with very serious mental illnesses called
“Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities”
Providing an additional $1.5 million for supportive housing services for adults with mental illnesses
Creating an additional psychiatric residency slot at the U of M for public sector psychiatry
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Providing flexible grants to stabilize our intensive residential treatment and crisis providers until a
more thorough revamping of the rate system can be completed
Funding programs that provide intensive treatment for young people experiencing their first psychotic
episode ($260,000 the second year of the biennium)
Providing support so that Minnesota is poised to apply for a new federal grant called the Excellence in
Mental Health Act
Increasing support for integrated treatment for people who have a mental illness and a substance use
disorder
Supporting intermediate school districts to divert youth from the juvenile justice system and improve
educational outcomes
Providing $2.173 million for behavioral health homes
Adding consultation for childcare homes or centers, child protection, MFIP and early childhood
Providing support so that Minnesota’s community mental health centers are poised to meet new
national standards for certified community behavioral health clinics
Supporting collaboratives to reduce the risks related to adverse childhood experiences
Creates three new state operated programs to to serve people with complex conditions
“These are important investments in our mental health system,” said Sue Abderholden, executive director of
NAMI Minnesota. “This funding will greatly improve access across the state. Most importantly it funds
services that have proven to be effective and addresses several of the key problems facing our system.”
Abderholden also remarked, “The mental health community and the state agencies have been working closely
together to create a blueprint for the future. This budget will move us forward and in the right direction.”
The Mental Health Legislative Network looks forward to working with the Governor, his administration and
the legislature to continue to improve the continuum and quality of mental health services in Minnesota.
Representatives of several of the Network’s member organizations immediately praised the Governor’s
support for mental health this session:
“The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs applauds the prioritization of mental
health services in the Governor’s budget. Minnesota’s community mental health programs have long
provided quality, community-based care to Minnesotans living with and recovering from mental illness.
These proposals will allow for strengthening existing services while expanding access to those who need it
most.” - Claire Wilson, Executive Director
“I am overjoyed and grateful to see the inclusion of mental health in the Governor’s budget released earlier
today. Our community has worked tirelessly to advocate for the improvement of mental health services,
access to care, and overall understanding of mental illness by the public. With the support of our state
representatives, we can continue this critical work and ultimately improve the lives of children and adults
with mental illnesses. Thank you for making this important issue a priority in the state’s funding.” - Vicky
Couillard, Executive Director of Vail Place.
“We thank Governor Dayton and fully support adding Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities to the
continuum of care for children with mental illnesses. This more intensive level of care will fill a gap in
services that has been recommended by multiple task forces and provide children and adolescents who have
required extended hospital stays or placement out of state with effective treatment in Minnesota.” - Mary
Regan, LICSW, Executive Director, Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies.
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NAMI Minnesota is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of children and adults with
mental illnesses and their families through education, support and advocacy.