Dear Arizona behavioral health members, family members, advocates, providers, and other valued and interested stakeholders:

 The Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS) is pleased to share some very important and positive information related to the recently approved Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) state budget. .

In January, Governor Brewer released a proposed budget[1] that included an additional $38.7 million for community-based, recovery-oriented behavioral health services for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).  The Governor was successful in securing these funds, and on May 7, signed a budget[2]  presented to her by the Arizona Legislature.  (See Press Release[3] for additional details).　

 ADHS/DBHS intends to use this additional funding to provide behavioral health services to persons with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who are not eligible for Medicaid.  The services we expect to offer include:

• Supported employment
• Peer and family support
• Permanent supportive housing
• Living skills training
• Health promotion
• Personal assistance
• Case management
• Respite care
• Medications and medication management services
• Crisis services

 Together these services will help those persons most in need to achieve their recovery goals through, self-empowerment and the opportunity to live and work within our communities.  By focusing on skill-building, self-management of health conditions, coaching, community-based peer and family support, employment, and community integration, we can offer members a choice to become independent and improve their individual quality of life outcomes. . 

 This additional funding offers a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to work together to make important advancements in our service delivery system for some of Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens.  Arizona made a commitment long ago to develop and maintain a comprehensive behavioral health system that successfully supports individuals to live successfully in their own homes and communities.  While the services offered by this additional funding certainly support this commitment; it is important to emphasize that they are not unlimited and must be spent strategically and responsibly to support the individualized needs and goals of each member. From a historical perspective, we know that spending on case management services has been much higher than many of the other supportive services listed above (e.g. living skills training, health promotion, supported employment) combined. We believe now is the time to reassess that approach and ask the question: How can we safely and appropriately reallocate funds that would be used for case management services to other less costly services that offer a greater benefit to our members?

 To assist us in achieving the outcomes we expect from a community-based behavioral health system that successfully supports individuals to live successfully in their own homes and communities, we want your input.  ADHS/DBHS will be hosting several stakeholder meetings on May 22-23, 2012 to share our thoughts and hear your ideas and proposed approaches on the best use for this funding. . If you are unable to attend the appropriate meeting below, please feel free to provide your input through our online feedback forum.  

• Meeting with Tribal and Regional Behavioral Health Authority (T/RBHA) Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs): May 22, 2012, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at ADHS/DBHS.
• Meeting with behavioral health providers, including peer and family-run organizations that serve individuals with SMI: May 23, 2012, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at ADHS/DBHS rooms 215A & B.  If you can’t attend in person, you may call in at 1-877-820-7831 code 117270; or join online (registration required for online attendees; click here to register).  Tele-med will also be available through the local RBHA.  Please contact them for details.
• Meeting with peers, family members and advocates involved with the SMI service-delivery system: May 23, 2012, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at ADHS/DBHS rooms 215A & B.  If you can’t attend in person, you may call in at 1-877-820-7831 code 117270; or join online (registration required for online attendees; click here to register).  Tele-med will also be available through the local RBHA. Please contact them for details.

Together, we and our members who have had to deal with cutbacks in services have endured a very challenging time over the last few years as a result of Arizona’s severe fiscal crisis.  During this time, our community has risen to the challenge by coming together and collaborating like never before.  Many new partnerships have been created, and efficiencies have been realized. From innovative and award-winning suicide prevention programs, to new crisis response centers, to peer-run warm lines, to physical and behavioral healthcare integration initiatives, we have continued to sustain the high level of quality in service delivery and, in some areas, made improvements to our system during this time.  Now we have another opportunity to come together, and develop new and creative approaches to use this funding in ways that truly make a difference in the lives of our members by fostering independence and hope for a better future.   With your help,   I look forward to our continued success. .   

  Sincerely,

Laura K. Nelson, M.D.

Deputy Director