Posted by Melanie Lewis on February 28, 2001 at 10:21:49:
Planning Council Discussion List
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We received a question here at the national office about the allocation of block grant funds and I wanted to ask this question on the listserv.
We are interested in knowing how block grant funds are distributed in your state. Are there states that allocate funding on a per capita basis to the community mental health centers or to the regions/counties? Please feel free to share any examples of how the allocation process works or ideas for how it should work.
Melanie Lewis
Program Coordinator
National Association of Mental Health
Planning and Advisory Councils
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.namhpac.org
Phone (703) 838-7518
FAX (703) 684-5968
email: melanie@namhpac.org
Responses
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NAMHPAC
I think the question is coming from a state that is considering changing the way that it allocates block grant funds - so this is not a question of suggesting that there is a "correct way" for allocating money. I think that there is a question of how to go about doing funding in a different way. I know from talking to folks that there is a lot of interest among planning council members about how other states operate. The goal for this listserv is information sharing and knowledge development. Chuck Ingoglia
Arkansas
I am curious as to whether anyone has block grant monies allocated directly to groups other than community mental health centers? Bruce Cohen
Connecticut
In Connecticut, block grant monies are allocated to a wide variety of agencies for a variety of services. (Probably the minority are to agencies with the designation of community mental health center.) In recent years, we have tried to use some funds for more innovative projects that fall outside of the "business as usual" services. Last year these included one for Youth in Transition, and an Anti-Stigma campaign. These account for a small fraction of the total budget, but give an idea of the range. Janine Sullivan-Wiley
Idaho
You have posted a challenging question that cannot be answered simply other that to say " it depends." As block grant reviewer I see just about every conceivable method of organizing and allocating block grant funds. If the inquiry was motivated by an intent to determine if there is "one way” or "one best way" I would say that the answer is "No!" ( Maybe even, "Hell, No!") Every state's public system is uniquely organized and allocations occur within the framework of the unique organizational systems. The main point I like to communicate is that as long as Planning Councils are aware of and participate in the allocation process the nature of the distribution scheme is irrelevant. Thanks, my two cents! Linda Hatzenbuehler
Iowa
In our state funds are distributed to the mental health centers, advocacy groups and other applicants for special programs. There has been a 5% set aside to be used for advocacy groups and I think it includes the state administrative costs as well but the bulk in the past has gone to the community mental health centers. This may be changing in the future though for the mental health centers. This is the way it has been for around five to ten years. Margaret Stout
Maryland
Block grant funds are awarded to counties (core service agencies) in Maryland after each county submits a plan to the State. In Montgomery County where I serve on the local mental health advisory committee - the county plan is also considered a budget. It's perceived as part of the total budget package to coincide with the local government process. Each county operates somewhat differently with regard to the involvement of stakeholders to
determine local spending priorities. Many of the county-level objectives are ultimately folded into the State plan.
Maryland, like all States, is receiving an increase in the Block Grant. A small sub-committee of the planning council will be working with the State to determine how FY 2000 funds will spent. The amount will be annualized beginning FY 2001. Our planning council has expressed interest in playing a role to determine spending priorities. Ideally, this could be a goal for all
councils. (I'm very excited about the notion that the public can have a greater role to identify and recommend such priorities). Laura Van Tosh
Tennessee
Tennessee's Block Grant funds are generally distributed on an approximate 70% adult - 30% children's services ratio and provide categorical funding to various community agencies providing specific contracted services. Block grant funds are utilized to provide early intervention and prevention services for children and support and recovery programs for adults, as well as providing funding for pilot projects or special population initiatives. To the extent possible, funded programs correspond to needs assessments and prioritization of service gaps by our Regional Planning Councils and the State Planning Council. Carol Kardos, TN
In Tennessee the Block Grant is allocated to a wide variety of programs, most of which fall outside of traditional community mental health array. Our managed Medicaid program (TennCare) covers the usual clinical services. Block grant funds go to advocacy organizations, consumer-operated drop-in centers, childhood prevention and early intervention programs and pilot
programs. Funds are allocated according to an annual needs assessment conducted by our 7 regional mental health planning councils which report to the state council. Sita Diehl
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's Planning Council is struggling to continue to have input into the process for allocating block grant funds. The increase was captured in the Department of Health and Family Services budget that went to the Governor last December, with no input from the Council whatsoever. The first we learned of the recommendations were at our February meeting, and we were stunned to learn that the proposal was to use the block grant increase to replace General Purpose Revenue (state funds), in order to free it up for other purposes. The Council objected, loudly, realizing that Federal regulations clearly state that this money is not to be used to supplant existing state funding. When the Governor's budget came out on Feb. 20, only $160,000 of the increase will be used to supplant state funding for our Managed Care Demonstration Projects, which are the result of the Blue Ribbon Commission's Final Recommendations. The balance of the increase (nearly $1 M) is to be allocated to Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations on Prevention/Early Intervention and Recovery. We are now discussing how this money should be allocated, specifically, and will meet with department people on Monday, March 5. Karen Robison
Wyoming
The money to mental health centers goes by project with a budget specific to the project. For many years the MHBG funds were used for program start ups for which there was no other funding. Recently, the funds went to quite a number of the centers (but not all) on somewhat of a percentage basis, but tied to a specific project for each. Marilyn Patton, WY
My hunch is several states allocate a portion of their funds this way. I know we do in Wyoming. Ed Heimer
Wyoming has block grant allocations that go to advocacy groups in addition to community mental health centers. Ed Heimer