August 13, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE: Request for Comment on the Combined Mental Health and Substance Abuse Block Grant (MHBG) 2019 Mini-Application 

Background

The Commonwealth of Virginia, through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), uses the MHSABG for treatment, recovery support, and other services to supplement Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance services. Specifically, block grant recipients use the awards for the following purposes:

• Funding priority treatment and support services for individuals without insurance or for whom coverage is terminated for short periods of time.

• Funding those priority treatment and support services that demonstrate success in improving outcomes or supporting recovery that are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance.

• Collecting performance and outcome data to determine the ongoing effectiveness of behavioral health promotion, treatment, and recovery support services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) intends for the FY 2019 Combined Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan to be an update to the full biennial FY 2018 – FY 2019 Combined Behavioral Health Application and State Plan.

Federal law, in Title XIX, Subpart III, section 1941 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. § 300x-51), requires as a condition of the funding agreement for the grant that states provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the state block grant plan by making the plan public in such a manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including federal, tribal, or other public agencies) both during the development of the plan (including any revisions) and after the submission of the plan to SAMHSA.

The draft FY 2019 Combined Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan documents are posted for comment. 

Individuals interested in making comments on the draft FY 2019 Combined Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan update may do so on the Town Hall website through 12 p.m. on Monday, September 3, 2018. You must first be registered as a public user to make comments on Town Hall. 

Comments may also be made by email gabriella.caldwell-miller@dbhds.virginia.gov, fax 804-786-9248, or hard copy mail (Attn: Gabriella Caldwell-Miller, Director, Office of Adult Community Behavioral Health Services, DBHDS, Post Office Box 1797, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1797.)

All comments must be received by 12 p.m. on Monday, September 3, 2018.