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_ 442 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 296. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 O. Out of this appropriation, $7,535,122 the first year and $7,535,122 the second year from the general fund is provided to divert admissions from state hospitals by purchasing acute inpatient or community-based psychiatric services at private facilities. This funding shall be allocated to Community Services Boards and a Behavioral Health Authority for such purpose in an efficient and effective manner so as not to disrupt local service contracts and to allow for expeditious reallocation of unspent funding between Community Services Boards and a Behavioral Health Authority. P.1. Out of this appropriation, $13,500,000 the first year and $13,500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to pursue alternative inpatient options to state behavioral health hospital care or to increase capacity in the community for patients on the Extraordinary Barriers List through projects that will reduce census pressures on state hospitals. Proposals shall be evaluated on: (i) the expected impact on state hospital bed use, including the impact on the extraordinary barrier list; (ii) the speed by which the project can become operational; (iii) the start-up and ongoing costs of the project; (iv) the sustainability of the project without the use of ongoing general funds; (v) the alignment between the project target population and the population currently being admitted to state hospitals; and (vi) the applicant's history of success in meeting the needs of the target population. No project shall be allocated more than $2,500,000 each year. Projects may include public-private partnerships, to include contracts with private entities. The department shall give preference to projects that serve individuals who would otherwise be admitted to a state hospital operated by DBHDS, that can be rapidly implemented, and provide the best long-term outcomes for patients. Consideration may be given to regional projects addressing comprehensive psychiatric emergency services, complex medical and neuro-developmental needs of children and adolescents receiving inpatient behavioral health services, and addressing complex medical needs of adults receiving inpatient behavioral health services. 2. Of the amounts in P.1., $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year may be utilized to pursue a pilot program to support the discharge of private hospital patients at risk of transfer to state mental health hospitals. The department shall prioritize assistance to patients who can be diverted from state hospital admission through discharge training, planning consultation, and/or one-time financial assistance. Financial assistance from this program shall only be provided as a method of last resort to assist in re-entry to the community. 3. Of the amounts in P.1., $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000 the second year may be used to pursue alternative options to state behavioral health hospital care for patients designated as forensic who are admitted to, or at risk of admission to, state hospitals to reduce census pressures on state hospitals. 4. Of the amounts in P.1., $6,000,000 the first year and $6,000,000 the second year shall be used for discharge assistance planning for individuals on the Extraordinary Barriers List to increase capacity in the community for such individuals. The department may, but is not limited to, pursue options such as placements in specialized group homes, assisted living facilities, and other models that provide support to an individual and stabilization in the community to help prevent rehospitalization. Q. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is authorized to enter into a contract for use of up to eight beds of a 20-bed acute, inpatient psychiatric unit at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare for state purposes to increase diversion from state mental health hospitals. The department shall begin developing the contract after Chesapeake Regional Healthcare starts construction of the 20-bed acute, inpatient psychiatric unit. As part of the contracting process, the department shall develop an estimate of the potential cost savings of diversion from state hospital beds that could occur with use of the eight beds and provide an estimated annual state contribution to support Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. The department shall execute the contract contingent on an appropriation by the General Assembly. The department shall report to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by December 1 of each year on the status of the contract and any state contribution that has been estimated. R. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is authorized to accept unsolicited proposals from private providers to establish a pilot project for the purpose of