Mental health and substance abuse prevention organizations across Arizona are trying to figure out what’s next after the federal government abruptly eliminated nearly $2 billion in grant funding, then reportedly reinstated the funds amid backlash.
Late Tuesday night, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stripped funding from grants nationwide, with organizations learning about the cuts through email notifications sent just hours before the cuts started.
“Shock at first, heartbreak that comes with it," said Justin Chase, CEO of Solari Crisis and Human Services.
Solari operates Arizona's 988 crisis hotline, the 211 referral program and numerous mental health crisis operations. While the suicide and crisis hotline will continue without disruption, the organization's mental health training and community education program funding was eliminated overnight.
"Lives are at stake without being able to keep these funding supports in place," Chase said.
The Arizona Council of Human Service Providers heard rom affected organizations statewide.
"Everyone's trying to figure out just exactly how big of an impact this is and how many programs it touches," said Michelle Coldwell.
SAMHSA stated in their notice sent to organizations that they're terminating some grants to better align with the agency's priorities.
"These are really the front of the line, boots on the ground programs," Coldwell said.
Then, just a day later, multiple national officials confirmed the reversal of the cuts, including democratic congresswoman Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut.
"Our policy must be thoughtful – not haphazard and chaotic. This episode has only created uncertainty and confusion for families and healthcare providers," DeLauro said in a press release on Wednesday.
ABC15 has reached out to the Arizona Department of Health Services, as well as multiple mental health service providers, to confirm the reversal, and are waiting to hear back.
"At this time, we are aware of the reporting of the reinstatement of the grants, and we are awaiting verification from the federal government,” said Chase.
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