"The state of mental health in Wisconsin is a quiet, burgeoning crisis that I believe will have catastrophic consequences for generations if we don’t treat it with the urgency it requires."
- Governor Tony Evers, January 24, 2023
Governor Evers has declared 2023 The Year of Mental Health and has included $500 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health children and adults in his 2023-25 state budget. Among the proposed provisions, OCMH identifies the following priorities as especially important to create access to, and sustain provision of, a full array of quality mental health treatment services that Wisconsin’s children need.
Access to Mental Health Services and Treatment
- Comprehensive School Mental Health Aid
- School Mental Health Staff Reimbursement
- Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Rate Increases
- Coverage Requirement
Continuum of Care
- Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Grant Program
- Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities Funding
- Medicaid Certified Peer Specialists Expansion
- Support for Child Care Setting Behavioral Issues
- Wisconsin After 3 Program
Youth Voice - Cross Agency Collaboration
Advocating for these budget initiatives with legislators is the most immediate and effective action we can take to improve children’s
Action on the Children's Mental Health Budget Proposals
State Agency Budget Priorities
Department of Children and Families · Department of Corrections · Department of Health Services · Department of Public Instruction
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