Federal: Save SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is facing BIG cuts that could
drastically impact how the federal government helps our state address mental
health and substance use needs. Tell Congress TODAY to stop
these cuts to SAMHSA. (right click to open link in new tab to access details and
In early February, about 10
percent of SAMHSA’s workforce was reportedly cut in efforts to reduce the
federal workforce, including nearly a quarter of the 988 Behavioral Health
& Crisis Coordinating Offices and many
regional administrators. Last week, The New York Times reported that possible bigger cuts – 50-70% of SAMHSA staff –
could be imminent. SAMHSA is an $8.1 billion agency that largely oversees major
mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention programs. NAMI National
put out a statement opposing these cuts.
SAMHSA funding is crucial for
people with mental illnesses, their healthcare professionals, and their loved
ones. Among other things, SAMHSA:
· Administers
the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and coordinates nationwide action to
advance a crisis continuum of care.
· Administers
the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, which provides critical care
and services to 8.5 million people in all states and territories.
· Administers
Project AWARE, which screens children and youth for mental health related
concerns in 2023 and refers them for mental health services and treatment.
· Oversees
the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program, which is
transforming mental health and substance use care in 46 states, including
Minnesota.
· Leads
harm reduction efforts to reduce overdose deaths.
In short, cuts of this
magnitude would be devastating – leaving SAMHSA without staff to administer
grants, develop best practices, ensure community input, and more. The Wilder
Research completes a Minnesota Homeless Study every three years. The September
2024 issue brief reports 70% of people
experiencing homelessness in Greater Minnesota are reporting significant mental
illness.
Please contact your Congressional
members to express your concerns about the impact of these cuts. You can use
the link in the first paragraph to see a sample letter and use NAMI’s program
to share your concerns, or just reach out to them using the info below.
Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Tina Smith Rep.
Pete Stauber
425 Dirksen Senate Building 515
West 1st Street 5094
Miller Trunk Hwy, Ste 900
Washington, D.C. 20510 Duluth, MN 55802 Hermantown,
MN 55811
202.224.3244 218.722.2390 218.481.6396
Email through the website: Email
through the website: Email
through the website:
http://klobuchar.senate.gov https://www.smith.senate.gov http://stauber.house.gov
Minnesota: Housing Support
Program - Background Studies
Chum asks for your support of
Senate File 2334 and House File 1831 to eliminate the Minnesota Department of
Human Services (DHS) background study requirement for staff, volunteers, and
board members working in emergency shelter and supportive housing settings funded by the state’s Housing Support program. The
proposed change is essential for effective service delivery and maintaining the
safety and well-being of those we serve. The DHS background check is
duplicative, more expensive and has a longer turnaround time. For decades we’ve successfully used the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension and Court background checks, along with our
operational policies and procedures to safely provide for the people we serve,
which is cheaper, faster, and just as effective. Representative Natalie
Zeleznikar has authored the House version, which has moved through the
Revisor’s Office and is headed to the Health and Human Services Committee.
Please thank Rep. Zeleznikar for authoring this bill in the House, and ask your
senator and representative to vote in support of this legislative change.
Minnesota: Investment in
Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grants Program
Senator Grant Hauschild has
co-authored Senate File 1339 to request a one-time $20M transfer from general
obligation bond proceeds to Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for transfer to
the housing development fund for the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure
grant program to prevent homelessness. In 2023-2024 homelessness increased 70%
in St. Louis County. This bill also directs the Commissioner of Management to
sell and issue $20M in bonds to fund this one-time appropriation. The
corresponding proposal is House File 1143. Please thank Senator Hauschild for
presenting this bill, and ask your legislators to support SF1339/HF1143.
Minnesota: Statewide
Tenant Education and Hotline Service
House File 1385 provides for
funds appropriated in 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to be allocated to the Commissioner of the Housing
Finance Agency for a statewide tenant education and hotline service that
provides free and confidential legal advice for all Minnesota renters.
Representative Liish Kozlowski authored this proposal, which will help renters
work through conflicts with landlords, understand their rights and
responsibilities with intent to reduce the loss of housing. Ask your
legislators to support HF1385/SF672.
District 3/3B
Senator Grant Hauschild Rep.
Natalie Zeleznikar
651.296.1789 651.296.2676 or 800.890.5428
95 University Avenue W. 2nd Floor,
Centennial Office Bldg
Minnesota Senate Bldg., Room 3111 658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN
55155 St.
Paul, MN 55155
see below for email rep.natalie.zeleznikar@house.mn.gov
District 8/8A/8B
Senator Jen McEwen Rep. Pete Johnson Rep. Liish
Kozlowski
3217 Minnesota Senate Bldg 5th Floor Centennial
Office Bldg Same as Johnson
St. Paul, MN 55155 658
Cedar Street 658
Cedar Street
651.296.4188 St. Paul, MN 55155 St. Paul, MN 55155
651.296.4246 651.296.2228
To email MN Senators, visit https://www.senate.mn/members?id=district to find them in the roster and use their email form –
no addresses given.