B6 - Building Sustainable Crisis Systems: Proven Funding Models and Payment Strategies for Behavioral Health Emergency Services

Monday, April 27, 2026

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT

Location: 607

America's behavioral health crisis needs immediate, innovative solutions. With patients waiting 18 hours in emergency departments at a cost of $2,700 per visit, the current system is both costly and ineffective. However, states like Arizona and Washington show that well-funded crisis systems can improve outcomes and reduce costs.

This presentation offers real-world data and actionable insights on financing sustainable crisis care. Learn from successful models, state examples, and practical strategies to build effective, community-wide services.

Learning Objectives:

Educate the audience on behavioral health costs and ROI evidence they can use for advocacy
Review case studies on proven models and specific examples they can replicate: Knowledge of successful "braided funding" approaches where states coordinate multiple streams (SAMHSA, Medicaid, state funds).
Review sustainability framework: Framework for designing financially viable crisis systems that move beyond grant dependence to sustainable operations while delivering superior clinical outcomes and building strategic partnerships for ongoing success.

Disclosure(s):

Tom Fuller: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Tom Fuller

Chief of Staff & Director of Corporate Development
Connections Health Solutions
Phoenix, Arizona

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose