Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services Legislative Update for January 13, 2015 House Human Services Committee Hears Overview from the Department of Mental Health On Thursday January 8 th the House Human Services received an overview of the Department of Mental Health from Commissioner Paul Dupre, Deputy Commissioner Frank Reed, Medical Director Jaskanwar Batra, and Adult Mental Health Director Susan Onderwyser. Ann Pugh pointed out that other than VPCH and the secure residential, all the work is contracted out to non-profit organizations. Jascanwar Batra and Frank Reed described the designated agencies and our programs. A particularly important fact shared was that crisis calls have risen to 30,000 per year compared to previous years when there were 13,000 – 17,000 calls. To view the full presentation please go to: http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/WorkGroups/House%20Human%20Services/De partment%20of%20Mental%20Health/W~Paul%20Dupre~Department%20of%20Mental%20Health%20 Overview~1-8-2015.pdf House Appropriations Receives Governor Shumlin’s Proposal for Budget Adjustment On January 12 th the House Appropriations Committee received the Governor’s proposal for a $12 million general fund reduction in the fiscal year 2015 budget adjustment act. During this week Administration officials will provide more specific information to the Committee. The following numbers are in global commitment dollars which is both state general fund and federal Medicaid match. Department of Disability Aging and Independent Living: Severely Functional Impairment Caseload Savings (-$200K); Integrated Family Services Family managed respite (-$1.2M); Developmental Services Caseload and utilization savings (-$646.5K). This is due to underutilization of caseload funds. Department of Mental Health: vacancy savings (-$2.2K GF, -$202.9K GC); Decrease operating (-$4.2K GF, -$56.8K GC); Revised start-up projection for Second Spring North (-$571.5K GC); Children's non- categorical underutilization(-$68K GC); Decrease in children's ABA costs (-$925.8K GC); Decrease housing vouchers (-$437K GC). Department of Health, Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs: $180,000 added for Opiate Treatment in Bennington. Key Legislative Committees Listed with Local Agency House Committees Approproiations Rep. Mitzi Johnson, Chair - NCSS Rep. Peter J. Fagan, Vice Chair - RMH Rep. Kathleen C. Keenan, Ranking Member - NCSS Rep. Bob Helm -RMH Rep. Marty Feltus - NKHS Rep. Mary S. Hooper - WCMHS Rep. Diane Lanpher - CSAC Rep. Anne Theresa O'Brien - HC, CCS Rep. Albert "Chuck" Pearce - NCSS Rep. Kitty Beattie Toll - NKHS Rep. Matthew Trieber – HCRS, FF Health Care Rep. William J. Lippert, Chair - CSAC Rep. Christopher Pearson, Vice Chair - HC, CCS Rep. Anne B. Donahue, Ranking Member - WCMHS Rep. Robert Bancroft - HC CCS Rep. Timothy Briglin - HCRS, CMC LSI Rep. Leigh Dakin, Clerk - HCRS, LSI Rep. Doug Gage - RMH Rep. Kiah Morris - UCS Rep. Avram Patt - LCMH, SAS, WCMHS Rep. Paul N. Poirier - WCMHS Rep. Mark Woodward - LCMH, SAS Human Services Rep. Ann Pugh, Chair - HC CCS Rep. Sandy Haas, Vice Chair - CMC Rep. Francis "Topper" McFaun, Ranking Member - WCMHS Rep. Steven Berry - UCS Rep. Paul Dame - HC, CCS Rep. Larry Fiske, Clerk - NCSS Rep. Patsy French - CMC Rep. Jill Krowinski - HC CCS Rep. Patricia McCoy - RMH Rep. Michael Mrowicki - HCRS, FF Rep. Chip Troiano - LCMH, NKHS Senate Committees Appropriations Sen. Jane Kitchel, Chair Sen. Alice W. Nitka, Vice Chair Sen. Dick McCormack Sen. Dick Sears Sen. Diane Snelling Sen. Robert Starr Sen. John F. Campbell Health & Welfare Sen. Claire Ayer, Chair - CSAC Sen. Virginia "Ginny" Lyons, Vice Chair - HC CCS Sen. Brian Collamore - RMH Sen. Dick McCormack - HCRS LSI Sen. Anthony Pollina - WCMHS Names in Red indicates Freshmen To take action or for more information, including the weekly committee schedules: • Legislative home page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us • Sergeant-at-Arms Office: (802) 828-2228 or (800) 322-5616 • State House fax (to reach any member): (802) 828-2424 • State House mailing address (to reach any member): Your Legislator State House 115 State Street, Drawer 33 Montpelier, VT 05633-5501 • Email, home address and phone: Legislators' email addresses and home contacts may be found on the Legislature home page at http://www.leg.state.vt.us • Governor Peter Shumlin (802) 828-3333 or http://governor.vermont.gov/ The purpose of the legislative update is to inform individuals who are interested in developmental, mental health and substance abuse services about legislative advocacy, policy development and activities that occur in the State Legislature. The Vermont Council is a non-profit trade association whose membership consists of 16 designated developmental and mental health agencies. Julie Tessler Executive Director Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services 137 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602 Office: 802 223-1773 Cell: 802 279-0464 .