A legislative committee Thursday agreed to transfer over five million dollars from a mental health program to other programs within the state's Department of Human Resources. However, the move angered some lawmakers who accused the Department of poor planning.
The committee voted 8-to-4 to allow the money transfer after DHR commissioner B.J. Walker said if they didn't approve it, the money would lapse. She says the five million is left-over from a program that provides mental health care for foster children. It will how help pay for case workers in the foster care system--federal money for that program was cut-off in March.
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle voted against the money transfer because he says there is a lack of leadership within the department.
"I have questions about the strategy of addressing mental health by the department. I have huge concerns relative to not being able to anticipate the funds that were coming from the change in federal policy".
Mental health care in Georgia in general is under scrutiny from the U.S Department of Justice. State officials say they are addressing those concerns.
The committee voted 8-to-4 to allow the money transfer after DHR commissioner B.J. Walker said if they didn't approve it, the money would lapse. She says the five million is left-over from a program that provides mental health care for foster children. It will how help pay for case workers in the foster care system--federal money for that program was cut-off in March.
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle voted against the money transfer because he says there is a lack of leadership within the department.
"I have questions about the strategy of addressing mental health by the department. I have huge concerns relative to not being able to anticipate the funds that were coming from the change in federal policy".
Mental health care in Georgia in general is under scrutiny from the U.S Department of Justice. State officials say they are addressing those concerns.
