Senator helped secure nearly $15 billion in mental and behavioral health funding in her Bipartisan Safer Communities law
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with Mohave County Supervisor Hildy Angius to discuss the importance of mental and behavioral health services in rural Arizona and highlight the Senator’s work delivering nearly $15 billion in federal funding to enhance access and provide additional training for mental and behavioral health services.
Sinema also heard from WestCare Foundation Vice President of Operations Cheryl DeBatt, who detailed how Sinema’s Bipartisan Safer Communities law could help address the specific need for these services in rural Arizona.
“All Arizonans deserve access to quality mental health services in times of crisis – no matter where in our state they live. I appreciate hearing from local leaders who know best about how to ensure care for all who need it, and I am glad to know that my Bipartisan Safer Communities law provides meaningful resources and delivers real solutions to help all Arizonans thrive,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Safer Communities law.
Last year, Sinema negotiated, wrote, and led the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law – legislation reducing community and school violence by expanding mental and behavioral health resources for vulnerable populations. Sinema’s law expands Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), increases school-based mental health programs, and strengthens telehealth services, and enhances funding for existing mental and behavioral health programs.
In a particular win for rural Arizona, Sinema’s law invests over $8 billion to fully-fund high quality mental health and addiction services through CCBHCs, which are required to provide crisis services that are available 24/7 and serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance abuse, regardless of their ability to pay.
WestCare Arizona provides outpatient substance abuse treatment, provides temporary shelter and housing for those dealing with addiction or suffering from abuse and connects citizens to social, health, and behavioral programs.