National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia Commends Congress for Passage of Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act
Following bipartisan and bicameral negotiation, on Wednesday, Congress passed the Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act. This legislation is designed to provide aid and resources to care coordination efforts between community mental health and addiction treatment centers and local law enforcement agencies. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
“Today, we move one step closer to improving how justice-involved people receive mental health and substance use disorder treatment,” said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “People with mental health conditions too often experience inadequate treatment while incarcerated, then face further difficulty accessing community-based care post-release. This bill authorizes direct support to community mental health and addiction treatment centers, as well as local jails, so they can better collaborate to fill the gaps and improve access to treatment.
“On behalf of the National Council, I thank Sens. Cornyn (R-Texas) and Blumenthal (D-Conn.), as well as Representatives Trone (D-Md.), Rutherford (R-Fla.), Dean (D-Pa.), Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), Scanlon (D-Pa.) and Armstrong (R-N.D.) for continuing to prioritize improving mental health and substance use disorder treatment for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to lawmakers in both chambers for tirelessly working together to successfully pass the strongest possible bill. Once signed, this bill will have an immediate impact in communities across the country. We look forward to it becoming law.”
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The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and more than 2 million Americans have been trained.
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,400 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.