Nebraska to Increase Substance Abuse and Mental Health Funding by $95 Million
Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns (R) said on June 5 that the state will boost funding for mental health and substance abuse services by $95 million over the next two years, the Omaha World-Herald reports. Speaking by phone from a Boise, Idaho, "drug summit" sponsored by the Western Governors' Association, Johanns told the paper, "Over the next couple of years, we need to concentrate on a community-based and state system (of services)." Here is sample of how some of the additional funding will be allocated:
- $20 million for behavioral health providers, mental health and substance abuse programs, "emergency protective care" and a study of mental health;
- $3 million to expand early childhood education programs;
- $1 million for substance abuse programs for inmates;
- $3 million for additional housing and staff at youth treatment centers;
- $4 million "to assist counties in developing community-based programs for juvenile offenders."
The state will derive the $95 million as follows: $33 million from state funds, $31 million from the tobacco settlement and "other cash funds" and $30 million in federal funding (Reed, Omaha World-Herald, 6/6).
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