You need not look any further than a couple blocks from Alaska's capitol building to see what the potential effects of an $8 million cut to behavioral health would have on Juneau's Polaris House.
Executive Director Dorothy Green says her facility provides community support to adults with a history of mental illness.
"We help people find housing; we help them keep their housing, providing supported housing to them in the community" said Green. "We provide vocational support."
Green says she credits her program for helping reduce homelessness around Juneau since she arrived in 2002.
"If those reductions are taken from our grant based services, the impact will be most significant to our substance abuse treatment system," said Director of the Alaska Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Kate Burkhart.
"Many people who need substance abuse treatment don't qualify for medicaid."
According to an email from Governor Parnell's office, $204.9 million was set aside for behavioral health, the same amount provided last year. $85 million of that came from the General Fund.
On Wednesday, House Finance members heard more testimony from people who benefited from these programs.
Finance member Representative Lindsey Holmes (R-Anchorage) says excess funds from the Capital Budget will support mental and behavioral health programs this year. The proposed cuts, if they happen won't take a effect until next fiscal year.
"I think it's really too early to tell what's going to change in response to the public testimony, said Holmes. "Obviously we have taken it seriously and we have heard a lot of people talk about the behavioral health and mental health changes."
Green says cutting any funds that would benefit her program is penny wise and pound foolish.
"You're going to see saving a few bucks, but while you do it, you're going to see your police officers more busy."
Rep. Holmes says amendments to the budget could be made next week before it moves to the House floor.
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