BUDGET MESSAGE 41

Another long neglected area, educational services for severely handi-
capped children, receives priority attention in this budget. As a result
of the recommendations of the Commission to Study the Educational
Needs of Handicapped Children which was energetically supported by
my predecessor, the 1967-68 budget includes an increase of $5. 5 million
to improve and expand State services to these children.

Finally, 56. 8% of the 1967-68 Capital Funds recommended are desig-
nated for the planning, construction, and expansion of educational
facilities. While I will cite the major projects, a complete descriptive
explanation may be found in the Budget in Brief supplement to this
message. Development of the University of Maryland's Baltimore
County Campus will be continued by the construction of an academic-
building. On the College Park campus, we are recommending an ap-
propriation of over $4 million as the State's share of the construction
cost of a Zoology-Psychology Building. Major projects are also plan-
ned for Morgan, Towson, Coppin and Maryland State Colleges.

Directly related to the expansion and development of our academic
facilities is the construction of two vital health and mental hygiene
buildings. These will not only promote improved and expanded medi-
cal care for Maryland's citizens, but will assure the development of
enlarged training and research programs. We are recommending
capital funds totaling nearly SIB million for the State's share of con-
struction costs for Maryland's first Comprehensive Community Mental
Health and Retardation Center, and for a thirteen story North Hos-
pital Building at the University of Maryland's School of Medicine.

In accordance with the provisions of the Community Mental Health
Services Act of 1966, we are recommending $400, 000 to establish and
operate community mental health demonstration projects throughout
Maryland. This will be a significant step toward providing modern
mental health services to Maryland citizens. I am recommending funds
for a diagnostic and intensive treatment building at the Eastern Shore
Hospital, and a Psychiatric Institute on the grounds of Spring Grove
State Hospital. These projects also will strengthen our community
mental health services. In addition, I am recommending funds to sup-
port a psychiatric team to work with the Department of Correction
and the Department of Parole and Probation to assist in the detection,
treatment and prevention of mental illness among the inmates in our
penal institutions.

This budget recognizes the needs of Maryland's estimated 103, 000
retarded children and adults. Funds are recommended to establish,