Nearly three million in ARPA funds from the previous administration destined for the state Department of Social Services have been suspended.
One of the potential victims — telehealth support for first responders.
Mark Johnston, executive director of government affairs with Sioux Falls-based Avel eCare, said the group’s virtual crisis care, which targets mental health care and crisis response, is among the programs set to lose out on funding.
“We are a virtual hospital system that serves patients around the U.S. with a myriad of telemedicine services to support citizens in a mental health crisis and reduce the number of citizens who may be exposed to jail or an ER visit unnecessarily,” Johnston said.
Now, facing this pending $400,000 cut, Avel’s telemedicine services may be severed. Though Johnston said Avel is battling.
“Until we figure out exactly what’s going to happen we’re not going to say no when someone needs help – that’s not what we do," Johnston said. "Both the State of South Dakota, the Department of Social Services, law enforcement offices across the state, they’ve been such great partners over the years we’re not going to leave them hanging.”
However, cuts would impact South Dakota’s most remote communities most.
“Most of the counties in South Dakota are health care deserts when it comes to behavioral health," Johnston said. "Through telemedicine, technology, and a really talented team of providers, we’re able to get access to care to these citizens.”
First responders often face mental health challenges that are specific and under-treated. For example, the American Addiction Center reports as many as 30 percent of law enforcement officers may battle some form of substance abuse disorder, nearly twice the national average.