As the state budget talks drag on, advocates part of a campaign seeking to boost mental health spending in the final deal are making an 11th hour push.
The Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids on Friday afternoon urged lawmakers to spend "a substntial portion" of federal funding for mental health and addiction support programs for children and families.
The group is a coalition composed of mental health service providers, advocates, and families last year prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to boost services.
The campaign is also pusing for boosting telebealth rate parity, an increase in school-based behavioral supports for kids and increased spending for children in pediatric, home and early care settings.
"If we fail to adequately respond to this skyrocketing crisis now, children in crisis will grow into adults with even greater need and no recourse for care," the campaign said in a joint statement.