Explanation:
(This amendment adds $2.0 million the first year and $2.1 million the second year from the general fund and 35 positions to restore funding for 19 beds at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) that was eliminated in fiscal year 2010 as a result of budget reductions. Northern Virginia has the fewest number of state-funded mental health treatment beds per capita in the Commonwealth. The reduction of beds has caused a shortage of psychiatric beds for all Northern Virginia jurisdictions when seeking emergency hospitalizations. The lack of available mental health treatment beds can result in the release of individuals from custody who meet criteria for detention when they are a danger to themselves or others.) |