SAN ANGELO, TX -- Tom Green County Commissioners Tuesday tabled a letter supporting MHMR of the Concho Valley’s grant application for funds to create a behavioral health court.
MHMR Executive Director Greg Rowe told commissioners the state had extended the deadline to apply for funding for a program designed to keep people needing treatment for mental health issues out of the county jail. The original deadline to apply for funding was May 15, but Rowe says that has been extended to June 15.
Rowe told commissioners last week the Texas legislature’s Senate Bill 292 provides partial funding for a behavioral health court to address ‘justice involved individuals’ with mental health issues by providing medical and psychological treatment.
The Commissioner’s Court last week approved a resolution supporting MHMR’s application for the state funding under SB292. The program requires a 50 percent in-kind match from the county. Rowe said, “The goal is to ensure public safety by minimizing recidivism by diverting individuals with mental disorders and substance abuse issues to treatment without incarceration.”
On Tuesday, Rowe told commissioners they had a good budget for the program which would include $613,000 in state funding with $310,000 in-kind funding from the county for a total program cost of $920,695.
Commissioners were considering issuing Letter of Support for SB 292 Mental Health Grant Program for Justice-Involved lndividuals MHMR Services for the Concho Valley Application. Since the deadline was extended for 30 days, the court tabled action for two weeks.
In other business, commissioners took no action on the burn ban after Monday night’s heavy rainfall. The burn ban is not in effect at this time.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: