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Mental Health

State Budget Crisis Hits Mental Health System With Cuts, Layoffs

Connecticut Public Radio
Published June 21, 2016 at 9:00 AM EDT
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Advocates say recent budget cuts will have a negative impact on those seeking mental health services in Connecticut. The state's new $19.7 billion budget -- passed by lawmakers last month -- includes significant funding cuts for statewide mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. 

This hour, we find out how state agencies and private providers are grappling with those reductions -- most of which take effect on July 1, 2016. We also check in with the Office of Policy and Management to see how Connecticut's worsening budget problems will impact services in the future.

GUESTS:

  • Luis Perez - President and CEO of Mental Health Connecticut
  • Heather Gates - President and CEO of Community Health Resources
  • Benjamin Barnes - Secretary of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management
  • Kathy Flaherty - Executive Director at the Connecticut Legal Rights Project

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Lucy Nalpathanchil and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
Mental Health

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

Donate