NAMI requests continued subsidy for island therapists; program caps provider compensation

NAMI representatives described a continuing program that subsidizes therapy for uninsured or underinsured island residents and asked the Contract Review Committee to fund the program extension.

Jackie Lane said the program, started during COVID, offers residents access to privately practicing island therapists who accept reduced compensation. Lane said compensation to therapists is capped at $125 per session and individual therapists can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per month through the program; client contributions vary and some clients pay a nominal amount to participate. "Any therapist in the program is vetted and credentialed," Lane said, adding the organization uses prior vetting and professional referral channels.

Committee members asked about program scale and metrics. Lane said the program traditionally serves varying numbers of clients; current design limits monthly therapist compensation and the number of participating therapists to keep the program sustainable and distributed. Joanna Roach asked the committee to consider per‑client costs; members suggested clarifying adult vs. youth servicing and tightening reporting metrics for deliberations.

No immediate decision was made; the committee said it will consider NAMI’s request during grant deliberations and may request additional data on clients served, average sessions per client and therapist participation rates.