NAMI faces state budget cut

SBJ file photo

Stephanie Appleby: Cut funding covered a part-time position and other expenses.

The southwest Missouri chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is seeking new funding sources after being informed of a budget cut from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Stephanie Appleby, executive director of NAMI in southwest Missouri, said its contract with the department was not renewed "because of budget uncertainties due to COVID-19." That amounts to $35,000 from the state.

"At this point we are looking at all options which include other funding sources and reduced hours," she said via email.

Appleby said the Department of Mental Health funding supports expenses for a part-time employee, as well as a portion of rent and phone bills. Additionally, it covers stipends for volunteers of the nonprofit's Warmline, a free phone service through which people with mental health issues can talk through their experiences.

Appleby last year told Springfield Business Journal the nonprofit has a budget of around $256,000. She could not be reached for follow-up questions this morning by deadline.