[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6267485,"mediaKeyId","3070341-2c943f7fa955be5d73f3cd0652e4fe12","parentId",3070341,"title","HHS committee funds Montgomery Cares rate increase, advances shelter and infrastructure funding; clinic addition deferred","audioSeconds",739,"startMs",0,"endMs",739530,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3070341-2c943f7fa955be5d73f3cd0652e4fe12&start=0&end=739","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3070341-2c943f7fa955be5d73f3cd0652e4fe12/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6267485/Montgomery-County/Maryland/HHS-committee-funds-Montgomery-Cares-rate-increase-advances-shelter-and-infrastructure-funding-clinic-addition-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267485-cf1b16a1afeb447c953ef97b4cc71a9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203186&Signature=nGvJBd0~Ju6vH95MTS2HkprFnQBQQYjWWBcU363wPqjlJ17T6idEGg10O0ExFnVt0DMQ7u5kfohT39jIUir8uZVkUWQ5YZiMDFyLJ09UHm6zQUHIwZV1SPFSoitvuCVYpfFGSoArl9kHT1BfNYxf8phy6F7FpRQjW7JzJy1BiHxI8IBmrShoSOH9Tm160f2t29xRgwWIO79A5eI5-0123Yfq2XHOZoFZXqV4doUckt8Ah-7-O0zN6FDFjEpTwLiwgJYvQkD3~U6PRzeji1OFkmCFbGjgbdRgiCAd3QnjBEwHb3GdLUyTVcX~y5SP4g06FeCroVankR3Zkxm3agpszw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-04-15T16:24:12Z","article","HHS committee members on the Montgomery County Council on April 21 approved several of the County Executive's recommended FY26 changes to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) budget and capital improvement program while deferring a proposed new clinic addition for further review.

The committee voted to fully fund the County Executive's proposed increase to the Montgomery Cares primary care reimbursement rate, approve funds for the county's domestic violence services and to annualize infrastructure and other DHHS positions. Committee members also approved CIP amendments to advance funding for the diversion center project and accepted an FY25 supplemental appropriation related to the diversion center stabilization unit expansion. A separate proposal to add a new clinic to the Montgomery Cares network was deferred for additional information and discussion at the HHS work session scheduled April 28.

Why it matters: Montgomery Cares is the county's safety-net primary care network for uninsured and underinsured residents; changes to the per-encounter reimbursement rate directly affect clinic finances, staffing and capacity. The diversion center capital changes and domestic violence shelter funding address immediate facility and shelter needs countywide and have implications for service continuity and state grant compliance.

The committee approved funding to raise the Montgomery Cares reimbursement rate consistent with the County Executive's recommendation, an item staff said represents $963,361 in FY26 funding and would raise the total per-encounter reimbursement to about $113.50 (direct payment to clinics ~$111.35 after an administrative fee). The packet noted advocates are seeking a larger increase (to $175 per encounter); county staff recommended considering the increase in tranches to spread cost. After discussion the committee voted 2'to'1 to accept the executive's full recommendation; staff will not place the item on the reconciliation list.

Committee members also moved to defer action on adding a new clinic proposed by the Islamic Health Center of Maryland (ICM). DHHS staff and the Primary Care Coalition had provided a projected service model: the new clinic was estimated to serve 267 patients in the first partial year with about 720 encounters (2.7 visits per patient used in the projection). Council staff and the department agreed to provide a fuller explanation of the clinic's projected patient visits, how the clinic would join the Montgomery Cares network and how adding a clinic would affect existing provider capacity; that discussion is scheduled for the April 28 HHS session.

On staffing and revenue items, the committee concurred with previously approved and recommended changes:
- A one'time salary equity adjustment of $994,034 for 127 DHHS positions (social workers and therapists) was noted as the FY26 impact of a memorandum of agreement with a union; the adjustment will be annualized in FY27 budgeting.
- The county executive's recommendation to annualize 11 infrastructure FTEs (previously added by a FY25 supplemental; supplemental was approved 01/21/2025) was supported. The packet cites an expected $1,000,000+ in additional Medicaid-derived revenue tied to those positions and the executive recommended $1,300,000 to continue the 11 FTEs in FY26.

Domestic violence and related trauma services were a focus. The committee approved two items tied to the county's status as a state-recognized comprehensive domestic violence service provider:
- $107,500 to bring the abuser intervention program in-house (transitioning an externally operated, revenue-generating abuser intervention program into DHHS operations).
- $425,000 increase for the county's domestic violence shelter contract. DHHS reported the earlier FY25 approved shelter amount did not meet the actual cost to operate the shelter at the acuity and utilization levels seen; in prior procurement cycles no bidders responded at the FY25 amount. DHHS warned that if the county does not fund the higher amount a vendor may not be secured and shelter operations could be reduced or discontinued, which would risk losing the state's comprehensive domestic violence provider certification and associated grant eligibility.

The committee also approved annualization of two crisis therapists co-located at the Takoma Park Police Department ($249,194 offset by City of Takoma Park reimbursement per memorandum of agreement) to continue the diversion-of-police response model; one position was filled and recruitment for the second was underway.

Capital amendments: the committee reviewed and approved FY25'FY30 CIP amendments for the diversion center project. The packet documented a FY25 supplemental request that advances $650,000 in planned FY27 funds into FY26 (split $338,000 in GEO bond match and $312,000 state aid) to meet a state match and to support a stabilization unit scope expansion. An April amendment added $500,000 of new state aid targeted to the stabilization unit renovations; the overall project total did not increase but the schedule and funding timing changed to permit the stabilization unit and walk-in/youth-serving components to proceed this calendar year.

What the committee did not finalize: staff recommended, and the committee accepted, that certain smaller grants and one-time funds not be carried forward in the general fund (for example, an ARPA substance use services grant and a one-time 988 grant allotment), reflecting their one-time nature; these were listed as reductions in the packet. The committee also identified several contract reductions it will communicate to vendors with formal contract-monitor notices so partners have time to prepare.

Ending note: Council staff said the HHS Committee will carry remaining items to additional sessions later in the week; the full council will consider reconciliation items and the FY26 operating budget in subsequent hearings. The committee asked DHHS to provide follow-up materials on clinic-selection methodology, projected encounter math, and the state regulation reference for new stabilization unit requirements (Code of Maryland Regulations update referenced in the packet).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Apr. 21, 2025 - HHS Committee Worksession","oneSentenceSummary","HHS committee members on the Montgomery County Council on April 21 approved several FY26 changes to the Department of Health and Human Services budget, including a fully funded increase to the Montgomery Cares reimbursement rate and new funding for domestic violence shelter operations and infrastructure positions, while deferring a proposed clinic addition for further review.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6267480,"Behavioral health leaders cite staffing shortages but report steep declines in fatal overdoses; diversion center expansion advances",458,1140070,1598355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3070341-2c943f7fa955be5d73f3cd0652e4fe12&start=1140&end=1598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3070341-2c943f7fa955be5d73f3cd0652e4fe12/thumbnail_1140070.jpg","/articles/6267480/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Behavioral-health-leaders-cite-staffing-shortages-but-report-steep-declines-in-fatal-overdoses-diversion-center-expansion-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267480-b341cbff8ac6737cf7bc7e5df41489bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203186&Signature=DN~8rXDz~8TPIwpy7eiJ0SYQJcnqgEwmibXZjTY9FArbyD7ChJr2SUcAI35LQdtThxAo5CLrod4PKhuQ8u2bbjkBeNbsIQxy8XwBkj8gwvhDx2p0c0rhcZY46wmEzv1pLhA2sfnczEoywREGderqn9538yUSQXhMw0yOtZT9cGhIojqHxBGlpfY8ktwpIhgNzvACgwdgONS6vJwZ8FAOJU86MY6nN5cLbHzJ~1Kiiw5o6Gp4yKIOgYrTv1PMCofT93QIyf-kwbLUPSrIjBeJPfd0QLKK~gVQGxRCqqOVIuZivw0dvWPr5~ullWcP3-nQFOYdIcvBsQViOxBKs2QGgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County's Behavioral Health and Crisis Services (BHCS) reported a marked decline in fatal overdoses in 2024 even as officials warned of long-term workforce shortages and pay inequity that limit service capacity.

Monica Martin, chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, told the HHS Committee that county fatal overdoses declined about 40 percent in 2024 compared with 2023, with opioid-involved overdoses down roughly 48 percent and fentanyl-involved deaths down about 52 percent. Emergency department visits for opioid overdoses also fell by about 30 percent, the department said. BHCS credited expanded prevention and harm-reduction efforts, including a large increase in Narcan distribution and training and community outreach programs, as contributors to the decline.

Why it matters: A steep, multi-year reduction in overdoses changes the immediate demand profile for crisis services, but county leaders cautioned that persistent workforce and funding challenges could erode capacity to sustain gains. The department said more staff are needed to meet current demand; officials estimate Montgomery County would need roughly 50 percent more behavioral health staffing to meet present-level service demand.

Workforce and access: Martin summarized statewide and local workforce constraints cited in a Maryland Health Care Commission report and county data. Highlights presented to the committee included:
- Many behavioral health professionals are nearing retirement; the state report projected a significant near-term retirement rate among clinicians.
- Montgomery County ranks roughly ninth statewide at about 68 behavioral health professionals per 30,000 residents; county leaders said the county would need to expand behavioral health staffing by about 50 percent to meet current demand.
- Underrepresentation of Latino and Asian clinicians relative to county demographics: Latino clinicians were noted at roughly 10% of the behavioral health workforce while Latinos comprise about 21% of the population; Asian underrepresentation was also noted relative to the county's 16% Asian population.

Programs and outcomes: BHCS described several programs the county runs or supports:
- STEAR (Stop, Triage, Engage, Educate, and Rehabilitate): served nearly 600 county clients in 2024; the packet states 82% of those clients completed screenings, about 52 received referrals to treatment, and 57% engaged in treatment following outreach.
- Crisis Stabilization Room (opened September 2023): admitted over 400 individuals in 2024, 70% presenting with substance use concerns.
- Youth residential treatment at Mountain Manor (reopened September prior year): 65 youth engaged in the first seven months; 38 were Montgomery County residents. BHCS emphasized enhanced reentry supports for incarcerated individuals, including Narcan provision at release.

BHCS also highlighted prevention work: Naloxone distribution and training increased substantially compared with FY22 (an 81% increase in doses distributed and a 67% increase in people trained across that period). The department reported outreach and school-based curricula reaching thousands of students and continuing growth in peer and youth ambassador programs.

Diversion center: Committee members reviewed CIP amendments that advance funding timing and add $500,000 in state aid tied to a new stabilization unit required by recent state regulation changes. DHHS said the diversion center on 7 Locks Road in Rockville will provide a noncarceral alternative for adults with minor, nonviolent offenses who are in behavioral health crisis. Design completion was projected in spring 2025, with construction through spring 2027 and project completion in spring 2028; the stabilization unit is expected to be completed in calendar 2025. The committee approved the FY25 supplemental and FY26 CIP amendments without objection; packet materials noted the county is pursuing MDH community health facilities capital grant funding and must meet matching requirements.

Licensing and new providers: Sarah Rose, director of the Local Behavioral Health Authority, described the state'led licensure and accreditation process for providers who seek to operate billable services in the public behavioral health system. Rose said the county receives notifications when providers apply for accreditation and that the local authority reviews applications and forwards eligible requests to the state; the state has final licensure authority. Committee members asked staff to share the county's provider directory QR code and to notify the committee when new programs apply to operate in Montgomery County.

Municipal partnerships and crisis response: Committee members heard updates on co-located crisis clinician models in partnership with municipalities. The Takoma Park pilot, where two county therapists are co-located at the police department to redirect appropriate calls to clinicians, will be annualized in FY26 with the city reimbursing salary costs under an MOA. Committee members also discussed the county's mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOTs); the packet documents a shift from federal grant funding to full-year county general fund support to sustain existing teams and add two more to reach a target of seven teams.

A final note from the session: BHCS asked the Council to sustain focus on workforce and retention strategies (paid internships, targeted recruitment, stipend/compensation adjustments) and to continue partnership with hospitals, first responders and community organizations to maintain the observed reductions in overdoses and expand culturally competent care.

Ending: The HHS Committee approved the CIP adjustments for the diversion center and asked DHHS to return with follow-up detail on the stabilization unit compliance timeline and on workforce-recruitment metrics.","Montgomery County behavioral health officials told the Council HHS Committee that fatal overdoses fell sharply in 2024 while workforce shortages and pay equity gaps remain pressing. The committee reviewed program outcomes, workforce data, and a CIP amendment to expand a diversion center's stabilization unit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HHS committee funds Montgomery Cares rate increase, advances shelter and infrastructure funding; clinic addition deferred

Behavioral health leaders cite staffing shortages but report steep declines in fatal overdoses; diversion center expansion advances