NC S424

Appropriates $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018 to award competitive grants for establishment of up to two new facility-based crisis centers for children and adolescents.

Appropriates $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018 for statewide expansion of the community paramedicine pilot program to provide community-based care that reduces emergency room use and unnecessary hospital admissions.

Appropriates $225,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018 to continue 13 existing community paramedic mobile crisis management program sites that divert behavioral health consumers from emergency departments.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report by April 2, 2018 to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on grant awards, program expansion progress, and any cost savings achieved.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.