Montana budget cuts hitting mental health case workers, clients

Mental health case managers play a critical role in communities across the state, but because of state budget reductions, many have lost their jobs. The consequences of these targeted case management budget cuts are proving to be devastating.

Gov. Steve Bullock’s state budget cuts in 2017 effectively dismantled the community based mental health care system in Montana. The cuts eliminated almost $6 million that funded targeted case management for adults living with severe disabling mental illness.

Case managers worked to support this population so that these people were able to live in their homes and communities. Dozens of case management professionals were laid off statewide and clients were left hanging with less appropriate options for their care.

By Augusta McDonnell

http://www.kpax.com/story/38095601/montana-budget-cuts-hitting-case-workers-clients