Director's Report

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA)
Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council
Rockville, Maryland
September 5 & 6, 2002

Farewell and Best Wishes

After 9 years as Director of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Dr. Bernard S. Arons, M.D., is leaving to pursue a new opportunity in public service with the National Institute of Mental Health. While Dr. Arons' passion for improving the Nation's mental health services will be greatly missed at CMHS, he leaves behind a distinguished legacy of accomplishments. As Director of CMHS, Dr. Arons worked closely with U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher to publish the first-ever Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, which continues to enhance national awareness of mental health issues. Dr. Arons led CMHS in addressing issues that have traditionally impeded access to quality services, ranging from stigma to cultural competence of mental health service providers. During Dr. Arons' tenure, CMHS established a subcommittee on consumer issues that reports to the CMHS National Advisory Council on specific mental health needs, issues, and concerns from the consumer perspective. His commitment to making a difference fueled work on a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention that brought together researchers, providers, advocates, and consumers to develop a prevention plan for reducing suicide in the U.S. While Dr. Arons is stepping down as Director of CMHS, he will continue to follow his life's work on behalf of people with mental illnesses.

Welcome to the Acting Center Director

Beginning September 9, 2002, Ms. Gail Hutchings will be the CMHS Acting Director. She will serve in this position during the national search for a new CMHS Director. Ms. Hutchings' work over the years has included serving as a consultant to CMHS, as Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and as Senior Advisor to SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W. She brings an extensive depth of knowledge and strong commitment to the mission of moving CMHS forward during a time of transition and renewed focus.

SAMHSA 2003 Budget

The President's fiscal year 2003 budget was submitted to the U.S. Congress in February 2002. Subsequent action is needed by the Appropriations Committees of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Differences in the bills enacted by these two chambers will be resolved by a conference committee comprised of representatives from both legislative bodies. Thus far, only the Senate Appropriations Committee has considered the SAMHSA budget; the House will begin work on its version of the Labor/Health and Human Services/Education appropriations bill this month.

On July 18, 2002, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recommended a total of $3,237 million for SAMHSA, an increase of $100 million over fiscal year 2002 and $44 million over the President's 2003 request. CMHS programs total $843 million, including $10 million from the Public Health Services Supplemental Emergency Fund for Bioterrorism.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee restored $2 million in funding targeted for cuts for the five consumer and consumer support national technical assistance centers. Lawmakers also kept the current $6 million appropriation for community action grant programs used to help communities enact programs for adults and children that highlight exemplary mental health practices. The Senate subcommittee provided level funding for both the mental health block grant, at $433 million, and children's mental health programs, at $96.7 million.

The subcommittee recommended a $3 million increase for mental health protection and advocacy, bringing the program total to $35.5 million. The subcommittee also recommended increases in funding for programs in two other areas. The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program, a formula grant program that helps pay for services for homeless persons with serious mental illnesses, had a recommended increase of $7 million, bringing the total to $46.8 million. Funding for the CMHS jail-diversion program, which pays for treatment and community supports for non-violent offenders with mental illness, had a recommended increase of $1 million, bringing total program funding for next year to $5 million.

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