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Louisiana Department of Wellness and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine wrote to B
P America requesting $28.9 million in funding to enhance mental well being services via October 2011. The text with the letter is below:
July 29, 2010
Frank Hernandez
V.P. Government & Public Affairs
BP America Inc.
501 Westlake Park Blvd., WL1 – 25188
Houston, TX 77079
Dear Mr. Hernandez:
This is to follow up on our previous requests for BP’s support of our efforts to supply behavioral wellness services to Louisiana residents impacted by the ongoing disaster off our coast. Pursuant to your request, we have worked with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to format our strategy making use of the framework SAMHSA along with the other coastal states have agreed upon. SAMHSA has agreed our plan “is nicely thought out, utilizes evidence based standards, and gives a rational and comprehensive approach to addressing the behavioral wellness requirements with the citizens of Louisiana.” The strategy is enclosed for your review and approval.
Previously, on May 28, we requested $10 million to meet the want for six months, and we followed up on this request June 29. As we pointed out in those requests, counselors on the ground have been reporting increased signs and symptoms of behavioral health instability that experience demonstrates will manifest into much more clinically substantial behaviors if left untreated. The net result could possibly be a preventable tragedy if we don’t perform together to make certain we address it head-on.
Research soon after the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska showed definitively the long-lasting mental health impacts of this sort of disaster. Additionally, a study conducted last month by Louisiana State University researchers showed practically 90 percent of the coastal residents surveyed are worried concerning the quite survival of their communities and “the findings suggest that important public wellness resources may possibly be needed to mitigate the pernicious consequences of this disaster for coastal Louisiana residents.” Experience from hurricanes Katrina and Rita taught us that these consequences could be mitigated through an aggressive and consistent early response such as those outlined in our enclosed program. We suspect this is why SAMHSA agrees using the comprehensiveness and appropriateness of our plan.
As requested, this program goes beyond the six months of our original request and outlines the state’s wants via October, 2011, and also contains the separate requests submitted by VOAD-Catholic Charities. We are delivering the consolidated request to guarantee you have a full picture with the need and comprehensiveness of our coordinated response. Overall, $28.9 million in funding will probably be employed to continue and enhance the perform already underway by Louisiana Spirit, the locally governed human services districts and our private, non-profit partners by means of October, 2011. As a way to make sure rapid deployment of the funds within the most accountable manner, we are requesting BP direct funds separately towards the state and VOAD-Catholic Charities consistent with our enclosed request.
Kenneth Feinberg has stated that mental health requirements won’t be covered within the individual claims approach he is overseeing. His decision further intensifies the urgency of this request. With no other recourse for these residents, it is incumbent on BP to separately fund nearby solutions to offer services so desperately needed. Your continued commitment to this effort is crucial.
I presume you’ll be able to understand our concern that it has been two months given that our first request. We’re asking for a response no later than August five, as the funds available for the services we are currently providing will expire. We simply do not think it is appropriate to abandon these families, and we strongly urge you to bring this to resolution.
Please direct any correspondence following Aug. 3 to interim Secretary Anthony Keck.
Sincerely,
Alan Levine
Secretary, Department of Wellness and Hospitals
Source: Louisiana Dept of Well being