The Anne Arundel County Department of Health wants to provide mental health treatment to veterans returning from active duty.
County health officer Frances B. Phillips said yesterday the department plans to use about $50,000 a year out of its nearly $52 million budget to expand a program addressing post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse issues that affect veterans.
From October to April, 363 veterans have returned home to the county, the highest number in the state for that time period.
"We certainly owe veterans," Ms. Phillips said. "The point is to get the veterans and their families into treatment."
The funding was announced during the department's budget hearing yesterday at the Arundel Center. The department is receiving $51.63 million for fiscal year 2009, a 3 percent increase from the previous year. Aside from launching a program to help veterans, department officials also aim to increase enrollment in the county's low-cost health program, continue efforts to reduce the infant mortality rates for African Americans and reduce obesity across the county. Department officials also plan to work with Anne Arundel Medical Center to educate students about staph infections.
The department did come up with some changes.
The County Council is considering a bill that would increase fees dealing with the licensing of food service facilities, construction codes and liquid-waste haulers. For example, the changes would require the Health Department to charge $150 annually to inspect vehicles used for waste hauling, as opposed to its previous cost of $50. The fees have not been raised since 2005. A hearing date has not been set.
The new veterans program will be funded out of the Opportunity for Treatment Fund, which pays for the treatment of residents who meet income guidelines. Currently, there is $2.3 million in the fund, which also pays for the patient getting into some area treatment facilities such as Hope House and Chrysalis House.
Ms. Phillips said about $50,000 a year could be used toward veterans. It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of county residents who returned here from active duty will need treatment, officials said.
County Councilman Joshua Cohen, D-Annapolis, said he was concerned that the fund would be taking on too much with the addition of veterans. In fiscal 2007, more than 2,000 people were assessed for the program.
"My concern is just to make sure we have enough funding there," Mr. Cohen said at the hearing. "I know as we approach the fiscal year, funding will become an issue in that fund."
Ms. Phillips told him that not everyone that was assessed was admitted to the program, since many did not meet the fund's income requirements.
"This is the right thing to do," Ms. Phillips said. "The veterans should have the first (shot) at that money."
