Minutes 10/28/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 28, 2025 25 - 308 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting STEP-VA funding in the amount of $285,612 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund for use by BHS to provide targeted case management, care coordination, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Background:  STEP-VA services are intended to reform the public mental health system by improving access, quality, consistency, and accountability in public mental health services across the Commonwealth of Virginia.  STEP-VA is a code-mandated long-term initiative that requires all Community Services Boards/Behavioral Health Authorities to implement nine essential services. Discussion:  The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services awarded $285,612 to the Portsmouth Department of Behavioral Healthcare Services for STEP-VA.  The funds will be used for providing targeted case management ($99,408), care coordination ($93,096), and psychiatric rehabilitation services ($93,108). Financial Impact:  A local match of funding or in-kind contribution in the amount of 10% is required as a condition of the funding. The funding required to meet the match requirement has previously been appropriated in the FY 2026 Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund Budget. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the appropriate budget adjustments. “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING STEP-VA FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $285,612 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2026 BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE FUND FOR USE BY BHS TO PROVIDE TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT, CARE COORDINATION, AND PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION. ” 25 - 309 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Substance Use Disorder Developmental Disabilities funding in the amount of $167,577.96 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund for use by BHS to expand community-based substance use treatment services. Background:  Due to the vast complexities of needs for those struggling with addiction, publicly funded programs require flexibility in how they utilize substance use treatment funds.  Recognizing this, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services is providing Behavioral Health Authorities with funds to expand substance use services, with the goal of reducing overdose rates and improving overall well-being.  The funding is intended to provide BHAs with more flexibility to support and expand community-based substance use treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders, with a primary focus on transition-age youth up to the age of 25 and individuals with intellectual disabilities who have substance use challenges. Discussion:  The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services awarded $167,577.96 to provide community-based substance use treatment services.  Services provided by BHS will focus on substance use disorder-specific training of the intellectual disability and developmental disability provider workforce and the development and implementation of youth substance use disorder treatment services.