A requirement for receiving federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding is the establishment of a planning council to, among other things, review annual applications and advocate for adults, children, and individuals with mental illnesses.
The block grant funding for community mental health services is vitally needed, as the Department of Health is building a state-of-the-art behavioral health facility that is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Department of Health is designated the Single State Authority for substance abuse and mental health services under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, receiving Mental Health Services Block Grant and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant funding.
Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has therefore moved to establish, by executive order, the American Samoa Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council.
Duties of the Council include:
- review of annual applications for federal funding for mental health services
- advocate for adults with serious mental illness, children with severe emotional disturbance and individuals with mental illness
- monitor, reviewing, and evaluating mental health services allocation and adequacy at least annually
- establish policies and procedures for patient care and facility staffing.
- develop operational plans and annual budgets, and recommend long-term operations for future planning.
The Council shall have ultimate authority for planning, implementing, and managing all behavioral health funding from governmental and non governmental sources.
It will have 21 voting members: 10 from government employees and providers, and 11 from non government employees and non government providers.
The Director of Heath is the chairman.
