Behavioral Health Funding In Bernalillo County

February 10, 2017 – Voters in Bernalillo County voted overwhelmingly in 2014 to support a new tax to pay for mental and behavioral health services. This came after the shooting death of James Boyd, a homeless man who was schizophrenic, by Albuquerque Police, as well as other shootings by police involving people suffering from mental illness. Such encounters were a major focus of a damning report on APD’s use of force by the U.S. Department of Justice. County Commissioners approved the tax and it went into effect in 2015. It’s providing up to $20 million annually for more programs. What progress have we made on helping people get the services they need?

New Mexico Crisis and Access Line: 855-662-7474

GUESTS:

Katrina Hotrum, Substance Abuse Programs Director for Bernalillo County
Douglas Chaplin, Family & Community Services Director for the city of Albuquerque
Jim Ogle, Member – Member, Behavioral Health Taskforce and former president of NAMI-New Mexico Albuquerque Chapter.

RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL READING:

Bernalillo County Voters Ask For More Mental Health Support – Ed Williams, KUNM
Bernalillo County To Try New Behavioral Health Strategy – Albuquerque Journal
Bernalillo County To Spend $4M To Help Addicts, Mentally Ill – Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal
Crisis teams To Help Police With Mentally Ill, Addicts – Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal
$17M In New Taxes; No Mental Health Programs Yet – Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal
County To Help High-Risk Inmates Get New Start In Life – Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal
APD Shootings: Families React – New Mexico in Focus
Behavioral Health Initiative overview (PDF)
Behavioral Health Initiative website
Behavioral Health Taskforce members
DOJ Findings Letter On Albuquerque Police Department