HB 849 was sent to the Senate after a 173-30 vote and looks to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to bolster the state’s behavioral health workforce, improve its public safety and criminal justice systems and more.
Of the funds, the majority — $34 million — will be allocated to behavioral health workforce and retention, while another $32 will be used to address criminal justice and public safety programs through grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the report said.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.