Behavioral Health Center spared from shutdown

by Jolene Toves

Guam - While it was originally anticipated that the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center would be affected by the partial federal government shutdown KUAM News confirmed that the department would be spared. Guam Behavioral Center director Rey Vega said, "The Guam Behavioral Center through its program in drug alcohol and prevention training, children's services and other block grants we are not impacted in the sense that this appropriations the grants have been prior approved from fiscal year so this is not an appropriation for the new Fiscal Year 2014."

The department has been in communication with their federal counterpart and do not foresee any furloughs. "It's a fact that the funding has already been secured through prior year's obligations so we don't really anticipate. Sequestration is another matter where in we just have to tighten our belt and look at ways to fund the rest of it," he added.

Vega adds that he does not believe the department would be affected even if the government shutdown extends beyond 90 days and can safely say operations will be good until September 30, 2014.