Joel, on the AE workforce call last week, we were reviewing what states had done with the enhanced FMAP from the American Rescue Plan. My recollection of the discussion was that few (if any?) states had allocated the enhanced FMAP. The allocations or those under discussion included development of new services, rather than providing COVID relief to existing services.
Would the National Council consider including a statement about the need for enhanced FMAP to go to behavioral health's existing workforce crisis as part of this media outreach?
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Shannon Hall
Executive Director
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
Catonsville MD
410-788-1865 ext 2
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-30-2021 14:05
From: Joel Nepomuceno
Subject: Talking with Reporter about American Rescue Plan at the State Level
Greetings All,
We recently received an inquiry from Sophie Quinton, a staff writer from Stateline, regarding funds from the American Rescue Plan being distributed at the state level for mental health and substance use services.
Specifically, Sophie is writing an article about state lawmakers setting aside American Rescue Plan Act funds (as in, part of their direct fiscal recovery fund allocations) to pay for mental and behavioral health services. She's trying to figure out what lawmakers are planning to do with the money – or, if they haven't figured that out yet, what they might be able to do, given the limited duration of the funds and Treasury requirements for spending them.
Would any of you like to discuss your experiences or share your input with Sophie?
Please let us know by emailing Connor McKay at connorm@thenationalcouncil.org and Sophia Majlessi at sophiam@thenationalcouncil.org.
Sophie will be working on this piece through tomorrow.
Much appreciated,
Joel
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Joel Nepomuceno
Membership Manager
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Washington DC
202-774-1668
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