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Mental Health Program Budget Overview

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Mental Health Program Budget Overview

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© All Rights Reserved
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Budget Estimation and Rationale for the Mental Health Youth Program

Preston Burkhart

Southern New Hampshire University

IHP 670 Program Design Plan and Eval

Professor Ijewemen

August 6th, 2023

Purpose of the Budget and Approach to Budgeting


The goal of our program budget is to make sure that we spend enough money on the

resources our mental health program needs to run well and stay in good shape. The budget for

our program, which is estimated to cost a total of $1,181,000 for the first year, outlines the

financial resources that will be needed for it to be put into place. Our plan is based on a thorough

analysis of all of our necessary expenses, such as staff salaries, operating costs, and equipment

purchases. We weigh these costs against what we expect to earn, what we could save, and where

we can get money.

Resource Costs

Costs for resources include both in-house and bought resources that are needed to run the

program for a year. The majority of our in-house resources are our 7 staff members, whose

salaries and benefits add up to a total of $494,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). We

get help from outside sources, like the rented property that costs $3,750 per month and the

different consulting services we use. These resources are important because they will be used to

provide direct services, run operations, and make sure the program runs well.

One-Time Costs

Our program has one-time costs of $28,000, which include things like equipment costs

(totaling $18,000) and space renovation costs (totaling $10,000). These costs are important to

think about because they require a big investment upfront to get the program started. These

things are counted as one-time costs because they don't happen again. Instead, they are unique to

the first time the program is set up.

Ongoing Costs

Ongoing costs, which add up to $569,250 a year, include all of the recurring costs that are

needed to keep the program running. This includes the salaries and benefits of the staff, the cost
of renting the building (estimated at $45,000 per year) (Offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico,

n.d.), the cost of utilities ($12,000 annually) (Iota Communications, Inc., 2021), the cost of

maintaining equipment ($2,250 per year), and the cost of supplies and materials ($15,000 per

year). It's important to include these costs in our budget because they show how much money is

needed to keep the program going and making money.

Expected Sources of Income, Savings, and Funding

Our main source of income is expected to be billing revenue, which is estimated to be

$1,400 per patient per year, times 500 patients per year, for a total of $700,000 annually. This

number is based on the average cost of a cash-pay therapy session reduced by 30% to account for

the need to include low-income minorities for 20 sessions per year per person. We also plan to

apply for federal and state grants that are specifically for mental health. We are also trying to get

donations while staying within the legal limit of using 5% per year for operational costs. Given

these sources of income, we think that the program's income will keep us going into the second

year.

In addition to these direct sources of income, our program is expected to save society

money through lower healthcare costs, less money spent on law enforcement, and higher

economic productivity. This will have an even bigger impact on society as a whole. We expect

healthcare costs to go down because our program focuses on early intervention and prevention.

This could cut down on the need for later, more expensive interventions. If we make a

conservative estimate that our program will cut these costs by 10%, we can expect to save about

$50,000 per year. When it comes to spending on law enforcement, lower suicide rates and better

mental health, in general, can lead to fewer incidents that need law enforcement's help. This

means that the government will spend less on this area. In this case, you might be able to save up
to $30,000. Lastly, improving the mental health of young adults may help the economy grow. If

people are healthier and take part in the economy more, this could lead to more money being

made in the area. If we put this increase at 5%, it would mean that the economy would be doing

$40,000 more each year. When added up, these savings to society would amount to about

$120,000 per year. This, along with the direct income sources, shows how important and

financially sound our initiative is.

In short, this budget was made after a careful look at what was needed, what could be

made, and how our program is different from others. Its goal is to make sure that our program

will last and have the most impact on the people we want to help.

References
Iota Communications, Inc. (2021, May 1). What Is The Average Utility Cost Per Square Foot Of

Commercial Property? [Link]

per-square-foot-commercial-property/

Offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (n.d.). Property Shark. Retrieved August 3, 2023, from

[Link]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Unites States Government. Retrieved August 3, 2023,

from [Link]

Common questions

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The budget for the mental health program is allocated to cover necessary expenses such as staff salaries ($494,000), operating costs, and equipment purchases, ensuring resources are available to run the program effectively. The budget includes a total estimated cost of $1,181,000 for the first year, with $569,250 allocated as ongoing costs which cover recurring expenses like rent ($45,000), utilities ($12,000), equipment maintenance ($2,250), and supplies ($15,000). One-time costs like equipment and space renovation total $28,000 and are essential for the program's setup . The approach aims at sustainability by balancing costs with expected income from patient billing and potential savings from societal impacts .

One-time costs such as equipment and space renovation, totaling $28,000, impact the initial setup by requiring significant upfront investment, thus affecting cash flow and budget allocation in the first year . These costs do not recur, allowing the program to focus subsequent financial planning on ongoing expenses without needing to frequently reinvest in infrastructure. It necessitates a careful initial budget distribution but contributes to extensive long-term financial planning by reducing recurring financial burden .

The budget facilitates the inclusion of low-income minorities by reducing the average cost of therapy sessions by 30%, enabling broader accessibility for 20 sessions annually per person . This approach implies a commitment to equity and accessibility, potentially increasing program reach and social impact while aligning with grant requirements. However, it requires efficient cost management to ensure reduced rates do not undermine financial stability .

The anticipated societal savings from the mental health program implementation include reduced healthcare costs by an estimated $50,000 annually, decreased law enforcement expenses by up to $30,000, and increased local economic productivity by potentially $40,000 annually . These savings contribute to the financial rationale by demonstrating additional economic benefits and decreased societal expenses, bolstering the argument for the program's fiscal soundness and social value .

The proposed income sources for the mental health program include billing revenue estimated at $700,000 annually from patient sessions, with additional funds from grants and donations, respecting a 5% usage limit for operations . The strength lies in the diversified income streams that reduce reliance on a single source. However, potential weaknesses include dependency on external grants and donations, which may face variability in economic conditions and donor availability. Moreover, the reliance on billing could be at risk if patient numbers or the discounted rates fail to meet projections .

The program's economic argument is strengthened by projected reductions in healthcare costs by 10% due to early intervention and prevention measures, and decreased law enforcement expenses owing to improved mental health outcomes, estimated at $50,000 and $30,000 respectively . These projections are feasible if the interventions effectively address the underlying issues contributing to these costs; however, implementation quality and community engagement will be critical to actualize these savings .

Donations, while a vital non-revenue source, must be legally utilized within a 5% per year operational cost limit . This constraint ensures donations support the program sustainably without depleting resources for future needs. While this controlled use encourages fiscal discipline, it also limits immediate spending flexibility and requires strategic allocation to optimize long-term program benefits amid fluctuating donation levels .

Federal and state grants are pivotal in the program's financial sustainability by providing non-revenue income crucial for operational and developmental costs . However, challenges include competitive application processes and potential reductions or delays in funding contingent on policy or economic changes. This reliance creates vulnerability to factors beyond program control, potentially hindering long-term planning and requiring contingency measures for sustainability .

Early intervention is expected to lead to significant societal and economic benefits by reducing healthcare needs and associated costs by approximately 10%, suggesting $50,000 annual savings . It supports economic benefits through increased productivity valued at $40,000, by improving young adults' mental health and their participation in economic activities. These anticipated benefits underscore the budget's rationale, emphasizing prevention as a cost-effective strategy .

Key operational cost components include staff salaries and benefits ($494,000), rent ($45,000), utilities ($12,000), equipment maintenance ($2,250), and supplies ($15,000), totaling $569,250 annually . These components are significant as they represent necessary financial commitments essential for maintaining program operations and service delivery, ensuring that resources are applied effectively to support program goals .

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