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July 26, 2007

Funding for Respite Services for Families Included in Final State Budget

Stanley Mrozowski, Children’s Bureau Director, PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) announced on July 18, 2007 that the dollars for Respite Services for Families of Children with Behavioral Disorders proposed in Governor Rendell’s 2007-2008 budget were included in the final budget passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. The $500,000 fund will be distributed based on the number of children receiving behavioral health services in the county.  For example, if a county serves 10% of the total number of children served in the state, that county would get 10% of the money.  There is a minimum of $5,000 and a cap of $200,000.

OMHSAS has been preparing for implementation of this proposal, and has convened a group of stakeholder representatives to draft guidelines. Draft guidelines are available or review and comment.  Submit comments to Stan Mrozowski, Director of OMHSAS Children’s Bureau at smrozowski@state.pa.us by 4:00 PM Friday, July 27, 2007.

For more information, check out a fact sheet on this issue.

For more information contact Wendy Luckenbill at wluckenbill@mhapa.org or 866-578-3659.