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e9ion <br /> Behavioral Health Services <br /> 4009 6th Avenue, Suite 65 • P.O. Box 2555 • Kearney, Nebraska 68848-2555 <br /> Phone: 308-237-5113 • Fax: 308-236-7669 • www.region3.net <br /> May 5, 2020 <br /> Kim Dugan <br /> County Board Assistant <br /> 121 South Pine Street, Suite#7 <br /> Grand Island, NE 68801 <br /> Dear Ms. Dugan: <br /> During this current fiscal year the public behavioral health system has experienced a significant increase <br /> in the demand for and utilization of behavioral health services. Much of Nebraska has been hit hard by <br /> the flooding of 2019, a downturn in the agricultural community, COVID-19 and other events that have <br /> caused Nebraskans to seek help to address their mental health and substance abuse problems. This <br /> increased demand and utilization has created a shortfall of funds to reimburse our network providers for <br /> the services they are providing. Given this increase the Behavioral Health Regions have been working <br /> with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health(Division) to secure a <br /> solution to this shortfall. <br /> The Division has increased Region 3 Behavioral Health Services' FY20 contract by$847,827.46. <br /> Nebraska statute 71-808 requires the counties within a Behavioral Health Region to provide tax match for <br /> state general funds allocated for behavioral health services. In working with the Division we were able to <br /> reduce the required match amount by capturing available federal block grant funds in the amount of <br /> $209,264.95 leaving a balance of$638,862.50 that requires county match. <br /> This is a special, one-time match increase and will not impact your FY21 match amount. Attached is the <br /> special, one-time match request for FY2019/2020. In order to certify your county's tax match with the <br /> Division it is necessary for the County Clerk to notify our office in writing the action your Board has <br /> taken. It is our desire that the amount requested would be approved by the Hall County Board of <br /> Commissioners. Please sign and return the enclosed Region 3 Behavioral Health Services Special, One- <br /> Time FY 2019/2020 County Match Request at your earliest convenience. <br /> Thank you for your assistance and cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. <br /> Sin erely, <br /> Beth Baxter <br /> Regional Administrator <br /> Enclosures <br /> cc: Gary Quandt <br /> Counties: Adams, Blaine, Buffalo, Clay, Custer, Franklin, Furnas, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, <br /> Harlan, Howard, Kearney, Loup, Merrick, Nuckolls, Phelps, Sherman, Valley, Webster, Wheeler <br />