DMH Presents FY24 Budget Request to Joint Legislative Budget Committee

The Department of Mental Health presented its FY24 budget request to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) on Wednesday, September 21. The General Fund request for FY24 is $247,689,282, an increase of $26,069,536 over the FY23 appropriation provided by SB3027 in the 2022 Legislative Session. This increased request includes:

  • $15 million increase for personnel, with approximately $10.5 million for direct care staff
  • $5,150,000 increase in the Service Budget for mental health community service expansion
  • $4,494,000 increase in the Service Budget for ID/DD Home and Community Based Waiver
  • $1,390,129 increase for the Mississippi State Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program

In addition to General Funds, DMH is requesting $23,852,275 in State Support Special Funds and $432,568,385 in Other Special Funds for a total budget request of $704,109,942. Click here for more information regarding the DMH FY24 JLBC Budget Request.

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.