The Fiscal Year 2027 budget approved by the DC Council allocates dollars generated from a monthly telecommunications fee to sustain the operation of the District’s suicide hotline, pediatric crisis support, and crisis support beds. Another beneficiary of the telecommunications fee is the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service, also known as ChAMPS.

Community Impact

For Mellie Harris, a Ward 8 mother of two, ChAMPS has been a vital resource for her elementary school-aged son. She recounted an instance where a ChAMPS representative prevented her son from jumping out of her car while she was driving, and she was able to get home safely.

Harris, a community health worker and advocate, played a crucial role in raising awareness about the proposed elimination of ChAMPS during the budget season. She emphasized the importance of clinical support, but also highlighted the gaps that exist even with these services available.

Budget Allocation

The DC Council’s finalized FY 27 budget allocated additional funding for 20 DC public schools, via the Schools First in Budgeting Act, along with educator wellness initiatives, course data collection, a literacy task force, adult literacy efforts, and another school year of community schools.

Despite the allocation, it remains to be seen how the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will address the anticipated school-based clinician vacancies. The Committee on Health introduced the FY 2027 Budget Support Act subtitle, School-Based Behavioral Health Program Stabilization and Oversight Act of 2026, which requires DBH to maintain a hybrid model for the 2026-2027 school year.

Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.