Authority: Title 37.2, Chapters 1 through 11, Code of Virginia.
A. The Commissioner, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall ensure continued operation of at least 123 beds at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
B. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall report by November 1 of each year to the Secretary of Finance and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the number of individuals served through discharge assistance plans and the types of services provided.
C. Out of this appropriation, $137,000 the first year and $137,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to provide transition services in alternate settings for children and adolescents who can be diverted or discharged from state facilities.
D. Out of this appropriation, $5,062,489 the first year and $5,062,489 the second year from the general fund is provided for therapeutic intervention and discharge planning services seven days a week at Central State Hospital and Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute. The Department shall report annually by August 1 to the Governor and the Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the impact on length of stay, number of discharges occurring during the expanded service time, and overall impact on discharge planning and the census of the affected facilities.
E. Out of this appropriation, $10,383,859 the first year and $10,383,859 the second year from the general fund is provided for salary increases for clinical staff, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists, medical lab technicians, and pharmacists, at state facilities.
F. Out of this appropriation, $741,889 the first year and $711,989 the second year from the general fund is provided to establish and support formal partnerships between academic institutions and three state-operated facilities to serve as clinical training sites for medical residents, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed mental health professionals.
G. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in consultation with other relevant state and local agencies, shall identify existing and develop new, if necessary, alternative placements that are effective, safe, and therapeutic for children and youth who would otherwise be admitted to the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA) and report findings to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2024. The report shall include information on (i) the types and locations of alternative placements identified, (ii) the number and treatment needs of children and youth who could be admitted at each placement type identified, (iii) the cost and funding sources for each placement type, and (iv) steps that remain to be taken to identify a sufficient number of appropriate alternative placements for all children and youth who would otherwise be admitted to CCCA.