Badges and Behavioral Health Briefs + Trivia

Today’s Brief:

• Badges and Behavioral Health Briefs

• Trivia

  Total Read Time: 2 Minutes

🧠👮 Badges and Behavioral Health Briefs

🧠 Funding Crisis Threatens Lifesaving Mental Health Program

Robert Smith, who nearly died by suicide, credits Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health’s services for saving his life. However, Clermont County’s Mental Health and Recovery Board is facing a funding shortfall due to reduced Medicare funding and low local levy support, putting care for one in eight residents at risk. A modest increase in the county levy, about $3/month for a $100K home, is proposed to keep the program alive.

👮 North Carolina Backs Jail Diversion with $6.5M Investment

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a $6.5 million investment in Western NC regions hit by Hurricane Helene to bolster jail diversion and reentry services. Funds will support LEAD programs, like Project Lazarus, HealthBook, and Vaya Health; and provide housing and employment assistance through agencies such as Oxford House.

👮 PermiaCare Launches Mental Health Co-Responder Teams

PermiaCare, alongside law enforcement in Midland and Odessa, TX, is launching a co-responder model funded under Senate Bill 292. Teams pairing behavioral specialists with deputies will respond to mental-health–related calls, aiming to reduce arrests and emergency room use through on-site de-escalation, assessments, and referrals—with an expected reach of nearly 950 individuals annually.

👮  Idaho Expands Mobile 988 Crisis Teams Statewide

Idaho is expanding its 988 crisis line to offer round-the-clock deployment of Mobile Response Teams statewide starting July 1, 2025. These teams—staffed by behavioral health professionals—will respond in-person to those in crisis, supplementing the existing 8 a.m.–11 p.m. services.