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2020 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB5005 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Krizek
CRF for Virginia Mental Health Access Program (language only)

Item 479.10 #11h

Item 479.10 #11h

Central Appropriations
Central Appropriations

Language

Page 204, after line 9, insert:

"E.1. The Governor is authorized to use federal funds appropriated within this item to provide $882,500 for the Virginia Mental Health Access Program."



Explanation

(This amendment authorizes the use of federal COVID-19 relief funds to provide $882,500 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act to enable the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) to respond to the children’s mental health crisis being experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, primary care providers are seeing an increase in the number of children with mental health issues. The sudden and traumatic experiences of changes to daily routines, social isolation, increased family stress,and the challenges of virtual education have resulted in an escalating number of children with mental health disorders. In July, the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a survey of primary care providers and found that 88% of respondents reported an increase in mental and behavioral health issues in children since the onset of COVID.VMAP is specifically designed for children and provides them with mental health services by expanding the existing workforce. It gives children's health care providers access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care navigation. This funding will allow VMAP to expand components of the program statewide, so that more children have access to these services.)