RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced a $485 million spending plan Wednesday intended to strengthen the state’s mental health and substance-abuse treatment services.
The plan would use both federal coronavirus relief money and other state funds, contingent on lawmaker approval.
The announcement came ahead of a special session of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly that commences Monday in Richmond. Lawmakers will be allocating Virginia’s approximately $4.3 billion share of aid from the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in March.
Northam has been working with Democratic legislative leaders to decide how that money will be spent, but some of Wednesday’s proposal would be contingent on lawmakers’ approval in future years, which is not a given. Elections this fall will determine control of the House of Delegates.
Included in the plan is nearly $200 million for staffing at state behavioral health facilities and intellectual disability training centers, Northam’s office said in a news release.
The state’s behavioral health institutions have struggled with high numbers of patients and low staffing for years. Earlier this month, admissions were temporarily closed at five mental hospitals.
Also included in the proposal is funding for community-based crisis services, child and family support services, and opioid and substance abuse treatment services.
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