text:
(a) (1) Each county shall establish and administer an early intervention program that is designed to prevent mental illnesses and substance use disorders from becoming severe and disabling and to reduce disparities in behavioral health.

(2) Early intervention programs shall be funded pursuant to clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 5892.

(b) An early intervention program shall include the following components:

(1) Outreach to families, employers, primary care health care providers, behavioral health urgent care, hospitals, inclusive of emergency departments, education, including early care and learning, T-12, and higher education, and others to recognize the early signs of potentially severe and disabling mental health illnesses and substance use disorders.

(2) (A) Access and linkage to medically necessary care provided by county behavioral health programs as early in the onset of these conditions as practicable.

(B) Access and linkage to care includes the scaling of, and referral to, the Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Plus Program, pursuant to Part 3.4 (commencing with Section 5835), Coordinated Specialty Care, or other similar evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices for early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention programs.

(3) (A) Mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices for similar to those provided under other programs that are effective in preventing mental health illnesses and substance use disorders from becoming severe, and components similar to programs that have been successful in reducing the duration of untreated serious mental health illnesses and substance use disorders and assisting people in quickly regaining productive lives.

(B) Mental health treatment services may include services to address first episode psychosis.

(C) Mental health and substance use disorder services shall include services that are demonstrated to be effective at meeting the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse communities.

(D) Mental health and substance use disorder services may be provided to the following eligible children and youth:

(i) Individual children and youth at high risk for a behavioral health disorder due to experiencing trauma, as evidenced by scoring in the high-risk range under a trauma screening tool such as an adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) screening tool, involvement in the child welfare system or juvenile justice system, or experiencing homelessness.

(ii) Individual children and youth in populations with identified disparities in behavioral health outcomes.

(E) Mental health and substance use services may include services that prevent, respond to, or treat a behavioral health crisis.

(4) Additional components developed by the State Department of Health Care Services.

(c) (1) The State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, counties, and stakeholders, shall establish a biennial list of evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices that may include practices identified pursuant to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Act set forth in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 5961) of Part 7.

(2) Evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices may focus on addressing the needs of those who decompensate into severe behavioral health conditions.

(3) Local programs utilizing evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices may focus on addressing the needs of underserved communities, such as BIPOC and LGBTQ+.

(4) Counties shall utilize the list to determine which evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence practices to implement locally.

(5) The State Department of Health Care Services may require a county to implement specific evidence-based and community-defined evidence practices.

(d) The early intervention program shall emphasize the reduction of the likelihood of:

(1) Suicide and self-harm.

(2) Incarcerations.

(3) School, including early childhood 0 to 5 years of age, inclusive, TK-12, and higher education, suspension, expulsion, referral to an alternative or community school, or failure to complete.

(4) Unemployment.

(5) Prolonged suffering.

(6) Homelessness.

(7) Removal of children from their homes.

(8) Overdose.

(9) Mental illness in children and youth from social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs in early childhood.

(e) For purposes of this section, “substance use disorder” shall have the meaning as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 5891.5.

(f) For purposes of this section, “community-defined evidence practices” is defined as an alternative or complement to evidence-based practices, that offers culturally anchored interventions that reflect the values, practices, histories, and lived-experiences of the communities they serve. These practices come from the community and the organizations that serve them and are found to yield positive results as determined by community consensus over time.

(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 50) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 40, Sec. 39. (SB 159) Effective June 29, 2024. Operative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions.)

chapter: 1. Prevention and Early Intervention Programs


kind: section

code: WIC

text: The department shall contract for the provision of services pursuant to this part with each county mental health program in the manner set forth in Section 5897.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 583. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016. Note: This section was added on Nov. 2, 2004, by initiative Prop. 63.)

division: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

path: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES > 1. Prevention and Early Intervention Programs


text:
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Commission” means the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission established pursuant to Section 5845.

(b) “County” also includes a city receiving funds pursuant to Section 5701.5.

(c) “Prevention and early intervention funds” means funds from the Behavioral Health Services Fund allocated for prevention and early intervention programs pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 5892.

(d) “Childhood trauma prevention and early intervention” refers to a program that targets children exposed to, or who are at risk of exposure to, adverse and traumatic childhood events and prolonged toxic stress in order to deal with the early origins of mental health needs and prevent long-term mental health concerns. This may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Focused outreach and early intervention to at-risk and in-need populations.

(2) Implementation of appropriate trauma and developmental screening and assessment tools with linkages to early intervention services to children that qualify for these services.

(3) Collaborative, strengths-based approaches that appreciate the resilience of trauma survivors and support their parents and caregivers when appropriate.

(4) Support from peer support specialists and community health workers trained to provide mental health services.

(5) Multigenerational family engagement, education, and support for navigation and service referrals across systems that aid the healthy development of children and families.

(6) Linkages to primary care health settings, including, but not limited to, federally qualified health centers, rural health centers, community-based providers, school-based health centers, and school-based programs.

(7) Leveraging the healing value of traditional cultural connections, including policies, protocols, and processes that are responsive to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of individuals served and recognition of historical trauma.

(8) Coordinated and blended funding streams to ensure individuals and families experiencing toxic stress have comprehensive and integrated supports across systems.

(e) “Early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 5835 and may include programming across the age span.

(f) “Youth outreach and engagement” means strategies that target secondary school and transition age youth, with a priority on partnerships with college mental health programs that educate and engage students and provide either on-campus, off-campus, or linkages to mental health services not provided through the campus to students who are attending colleges and universities, including, but not limited to, public community colleges. Outreach and engagement may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Meeting the mental health needs of students that cannot be met through existing education funds.

(2) Establishing direct linkages for students to community-based mental health services.

(3) Addressing direct services, including, but not limited to, increasing college mental health staff-to-student ratios and decreasing wait times.

(4) Participating in evidence-based and community-defined best practice programs for mental health services.

(5) Serving underserved and vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons, victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and veterans.

(6) Establishing direct linkages for students to community-based mental health services for which reimbursement is available through the students’ health coverage.

(7) Reducing racial disparities in access to mental health services.

(8) Funding mental health stigma reduction training and activities.

(9) Providing college employees and students with education and training in early identification, intervention, and referral of students with mental health needs.

(10) Interventions for youth with signs of behavioral or emotional problems who are at risk of, or have had any, contact with the juvenile justice system.

(11) Integrated youth mental health programming.

(12) Suicide prevention programming.

(g) “Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate prevention and intervention” refers to a program that creates critical linkages with community-based organizations, including, but not limited to, clinics licensed or operated under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code, or clinics exempt from clinic licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code.

(1) “Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate” means the ability to reach underserved cultural populations and address specific barriers related to racial, ethnic, cultural, language, gender, age, economic, or other disparities in mental health services access, quality, and outcomes.

(2) “Underserved cultural populations” means those who are unlikely to seek help from any traditional mental health service because of stigma, lack of knowledge, or other barriers, including members of ethnically and racially diverse communities, members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, and veterans, across their lifespans.

(h) “Strategies targeting the mental health needs of older adults” means, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Outreach and engagement strategies that target caregivers, victims of elder abuse, and individuals who live alone.

(2) Suicide prevention programming.

(3) Outreach to older adults who are isolated.

(4) Early identification programming of mental health symptoms and disorders, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

(i) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2026, and as of January 1, 2027, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 40, Sec. 40) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 243, Sec. 16. (SB 862) Effective January 1, 2026. Inoperative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 53 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 790. Note: Amended in Prop. 1 at the March 5, 2024, election.)

path: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES > 2. Prevention and Early Intervention Program Planning


text:
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “County” includes a city receiving funds pursuant to Section 5701.5.

(b) “Early intervention funds” means funds from the Behavioral Health Services Fund allocated for early intervention services and programs pursuant to clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 5892.

(c) “Childhood trauma early intervention” refers to a program that targets eligible children and youth exposed to, or who are at risk of exposure to, adverse and traumatic childhood events and prolonged toxic stress in order to deal with the early origins of mental health and substance use disorder needs and prevent long-term mental health and substance use disorder concerns. This may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Focused outreach and early intervention to at-risk and in-need populations, including youth experiencing homelessness, justice-involved youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and child welfare-involved youth.

(2) Implementation of appropriate trauma and developmental screening and assessment tools with linkages to early intervention services to eligible children and youth who qualify for these services.

(3) Collaborative, strengths-based approaches that appreciate the resilience of trauma survivors and support their parents and caregivers when appropriate.

(4) Support from peer support specialists, wellness coaches, and community health workers trained to provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment services with an emphasis on culturally and linguistically tailored approaches.

(5) Multigenerational family engagement, education, and support for navigation and service referrals across systems that aid the healthy development of children and youth and their families.

(6) Collaboration with county child welfare agencies and other system partners, including Medi-Cal managed care plans, as defined in subdivision (j) of Section 14184.101, and homeless youth service providers, to address the physical and behavioral health-related needs and social needs of child-welfare-involved youth.

(7) Linkages to primary care health settings, including, but not limited to, federally qualified health centers, rural health centers, community-based providers, school-based health centers, school-linked providers, and school-based programs and community-based organizations specializing in serving underserved communities.

(8) Leveraging the healing value of traditional cultural connections and faith-based organizations, including policies, protocols, and processes that are responsive to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of individuals served and recognition of historical trauma.

(9) Blended funding streams to provide individuals and families experiencing toxic stress comprehensive and integrated supports across systems.

(10) Partnerships with local educational agencies and school-based behavioral health professionals to identify and address children exposed to, or who are at risk of exposure to, adverse and traumatic childhood events and prolonged toxic stress.

(d) “Early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention” has the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 5835 and may include programming across the age span.

(e) “Youth outreach and engagement” means strategies that target out-of-school youth and secondary schoolage youth, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Establishing direct linkages for youth to community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.

(2) Participating in evidence-based practices and community-defined evidence programs for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.

(3) Providing supports to facilitate access to services and programs, including those utilizing community-defined evidence practices, for underserved and vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, members of ethnically and racially diverse communities, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and veterans.

(4) Establishing direct linkages for students to community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for which reimbursement is available through the students’ health coverage.

(5) Reducing racial disparities in access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.

(6) Providing school employees and students with education and training in early identification, intervention, and referral of students with mental health and substance use disorder needs.

(7) Strategies and programs for youth with signs of behavioral or emotional problems or substance misuse who are at risk of, or have had, contact with the child welfare or juvenile justice system.

(8) Integrated youth mental health and substance use disorder programming.

(f) “Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate intervention” refers to a program that creates critical linkages with community-based organizations, including, but not limited to, clinics licensed or operated under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code and clinics exempt from clinic licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code. The community-based organizations include facilities and providers licensed or certified by the State Department of Health Care Services, including, but not limited to, residential substance use disorder facilities licensed pursuant to Section 11834.01 of the Health and Safety Code or certified pursuant to Section 11830.1 of the Health and Safety Code and narcotic treatment programs licensed pursuant to Section 11839 of the Health and Safety Code. Community-based organizations may also include those organizations that provide community-defined evidence practices.

(1) “Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate” means the ability to reach underserved cultural populations and address specific barriers related to racial, ethnic, cultural, language, gender, age, economic, or other disparities in mental health and substance use disorder treatment services access, quality, and outcomes.

(2) “Underserved cultural populations” means those who are unlikely to seek help from providers of traditional mental health and substance use disorder services because of stigma, lack of knowledge, or other barriers, including members of ethnically and racially diverse communities, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and veterans, across their lifespans.

(g) “Strategies targeting the mental health and substance use disorder needs of older adults” means, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Outreach and engagement strategies that target caregivers, victims of elder abuse, and individuals who live alone.

(2) Outreach to older adults who are isolated.

(3) Programs for early identification of mental health disorders and substance use disorders.

(h) “Community-defined evidence practices” is defined as an alternative or complement to evidence-based practices, that offer culturally anchored interventions that reflect the values, practices, histories, and lived-experiences of the communities they serve. These practices come from the community and the organizations that serve them and are found to yield positive results as determined by community consensus over time.

(i) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, if amendments to the Mental Health Service Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 52) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 53. (SB 326) Effective April 17, 2024. Approved in Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024, election. Operative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions.)

chapter: 2. Prevention and Early Intervention Program Planning


text:
(a) On or before January 1, 2020, the commission shall establish priorities for the use of prevention and early intervention funds. These priorities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Childhood trauma prevention and early intervention to deal with the early origins of mental health needs.

(2) Early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention, and mood disorder and suicide prevention programming that occurs across the lifespan.

(3) Youth outreach and engagement strategies that target secondary school and transition age youth, with a priority on partnership with college mental health programs.

(4) Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate prevention and intervention.

(5) Strategies targeting the mental health needs of older adults.

(6) Other programs the commission identifies, with stakeholder participation, that are proven effective in achieving, and are reflective of, the goals stated in Section 5840.

(b) On or before January 1, 2020, the commission shall develop a statewide strategy for monitoring implementation of this part, including enhancing public understanding of prevention and early intervention and creating metrics for assessing the effectiveness of how prevention and early intervention funds are used and the outcomes that are achieved. The commission shall analyze and monitor the established metrics using existing data, if available, and shall propose new data collection and reporting strategies, if necessary.

(c) The commission shall establish a strategy for technical assistance, support, and evaluation to support the successful implementation of the objectives, metrics, data collection, and reporting strategy.

(d) (1) The portion of funds in the county plan relating to prevention and early intervention shall focus on the established priorities, and shall be allocated, as determined by the county, with stakeholder input. A county may include other priorities, as determined through the stakeholder process, either in place of, or in addition to, the established priorities. If the county chooses to include other programs, the plan shall include a description of why those programs are included and metrics by which the effectiveness of those programs is to be measured.

(2) Counties may act jointly to meet the requirements of this section.

(e) If the commission requires additional resources for these purposes, it may prepare a proposal for consideration by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

(f) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2026, and as of January 1, 2027, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 54. (SB 326) Effective April 17, 2024. Approved in Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024, election. Operative January 1, 2025, pursuant to Sec. 117 of Proposition 1. Inoperative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 55 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 790.)


text:
(a) The State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, shall establish priorities for the use of early intervention funds. These priorities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Childhood trauma early intervention to deal with the early origins of mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs, including strategies focused on eligible children and youth experiencing homelessness, justice-involved children and youth, child welfare-involved children and youth with a history of trauma, and other populations at risk of developing a mental health disorder or condition as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 14184.402 or substance use disorders. Childhood trauma early intervention services shall not be limited to individuals enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.

(2) Early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention and mood disorder programming that occurs across the lifespan.

(3) Outreach and engagement strategies that target early childhood 0 to 5 years of age, inclusive, out-of-school youth, and secondary school youth. Partnerships with community-based organizations and college mental health and substance use disorder programs may be utilized to implement the strategies.

(4) Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate interventions.

(5) Strategies targeting the mental health and substance use disorder needs of older adults.

(6) Strategies targeting the mental health needs of eligible children and youth, as defined in Section 5892, who are 0 to 5 years of age, including, but not limited to, infant and early childhood mental health consultation.

(7) Strategies to advance equity and reduce disparities.

(8) Programs that include community-defined evidence practices and evidence-based practices and mental health and substance use disorder treatment services similar to those provided under other programs that are effective in preventing mental illness and substance use disorders from becoming severe and components similar to programs that have been successful in reducing the duration of untreated severe mental illness and substance use disorders to assist people in quickly regaining productive lives.

(9) Other programs the State Department of Health Care Services identifies that are proven effective in preventing mental illness and substance use disorders from becoming severe and disabling, consistent with Section 5840.

(10) Strategies to address the needs of individuals at high risk of crisis.

(b) (1) (A) The portion of funds in the county plan relating to early intervention shall focus on the established priorities and shall be allocated as determined by the county with stakeholder input.

(B) (i) A county may include other priorities, as determined through the stakeholder process, in addition to the established priorities.

(ii) If a county chooses to include other programs, the plan shall include a description of why those programs are included and metrics by which the effectiveness of those programs is to be measured.

(2) Counties may act jointly to meet the requirements of this section.

(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 54) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 55. (SB 326) Effective April 17, 2024. Approved in Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024, election. Operative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions.)


citation: WIC § 5845

text:
(a) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission is hereby established to promote transformational change in California’s behavioral health system through research, evaluation and tracking outcomes, and other strategies to assess and report progress. The commission shall use this information and analyses to inform the commission’s grant making, identify key policy issues and emerging best practices, provide technical assistance and training, promote high-quality programs implemented, and advise the Governor and the Legislature, pursuant to the Behavioral Health Services Act and related components of California’s behavioral health system. For this purpose, the commission shall collaborate with the California Health and Human Services Agency, its departments and other state entities.

(b) (1) The commission shall replace the advisory committee established pursuant to Section 5814.

(2) The commission shall consist of 27 voting members as follows:

(A) The Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee.

(B) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent’s designee.

(C) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Human Services, or another member of the Senate selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate, or their designee.

(D) The Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Health, the Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Human Services, or another Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly, or their designee.

(E) (i) The following individuals, all appointed by the Governor:

(I) Two persons who have or have had a mental health disorder.

(II) Two persons who have or have had a substance use disorder.

(III) A family member of an adult or older adult who has or has had a mental health disorder.

(IV) One person who is 25 years of age or younger and has or has had a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or cooccurring disorder.

(V) A family member of an adult or older adult who has or has had a substance use disorder.

(VI) A family member of a child or youth who has or has had a mental health disorder.

(VII) A family member of a child or youth who has or has had a substance use disorder.

(VIII) A current or former county behavioral health director.

(IX) A physician specializing in substance use disorder treatment, including the provision of medications for addiction treatment.

(X) A mental health professional.

(XI) A professional with expertise in housing and homelessness.

(XII) A county sheriff.

(XIII) A superintendent of a school district.

(XIV) A representative of a labor organization.

(XV) A representative of an employer with less than 500 employees.

(XVI) A representative of an employer with more than 500 employees.

(XVII) A representative of a health care service plan or insurer.

(XVIII) A representative of an aging or disability organization.

(XIX) A person with knowledge and experience in community-defined evidence practices and reducing behavioral health disparities.

(XX) A representative of a children and youth organization.

(XXI) A veteran or a representative of a veterans organization.

(ii) In making appointments, the Governor shall seek individuals who have had personal or family experience with mental illness or substance use disorder.

(c) Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d) The term of each member shall be three years, to be staggered so that approximately one-third of the appointments expire in each year.

(e) (1) The commission shall have an Executive Director.

(2) The Executive Director will be responsible for management over the administrative, fiscal, and program performance of the commission.

(3) The Executive Director shall be selected by the commission.

(4) The commission may delegate to the Executive Director any power, duty, purpose, function, or jurisdiction that the commission may lawfully delegate, including the authority to enter into and sign contracts on behalf of the commission. The Executive Director may redelegate any of those powers, duties, purposes, functions, or jurisdictions to the Executive Director’s designee, unless by statute, or rule or regulation, the Executive Director is expressly required to act personally.

(f) In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the commission may do all of the following:

(1) (A) Meet at least once each quarter at a time and location convenient to the public as it may deem appropriate.

(B) All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public.

(2) Within the limit of funds allocated for these purposes, pursuant to the laws and regulations governing state civil service, employ staff, including clerical, legal, and technical assistance, as necessary.

(3) The commission shall administer its operations separate and apart from the State Department of Health Care Services and the California Health and Human Services Agency.

(4) Establish technical advisory committees, such as a committee of consumers and family members, and a reducing disparities committee focusing on demographic, geographic, and other communities. The commission may provide pertinent information gained from those committees to relevant state agencies and departments, including, but not limited to, the California Health and Humans Services Agency and its departments.

(5) Employ all other appropriate strategies necessary or convenient to enable it to fully and adequately perform its duties and exercise the powers expressly granted, notwithstanding authority expressly granted to an officer or employee of state government.

(6) Enter into contracts.

(7) Make reasonable requests for data and information to the State Department of Health Care Services, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, the State Department of Public Health, or other state and local entities that receive Behavioral Health Services Act funds. These entities shall respond in a timely manner and provide information and data in their possession that the commission deems necessary for the purposes of carrying out its responsibilities.

(8) Participate in the joint state-county decisionmaking process, as described in Section 4061, for training, technical assistance, and regulatory resources to meet the mission and goals of the state’s mental health system.

(9) Identify best practices to overcome stigma and discrimination, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health.

(10) At any time, advise the Governor or the Legislature regarding actions the state may take to improve care and services for people with mental illness or substance use disorder.

(11) If the commission identifies a critical issue related to the performance of a county mental health program, it may refer the issue to the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to Section 5655 or 5963.04.

(12) Provide technical assistance to counties on implementation planning, training, and capacity building investments as defined by the State Department of Health Care Services and in consultation with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. Technical assistance may also include innovative behavioral health models of care and innovative promising practices pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 5892. Technical assistance may also include compiling and publishing a list of innovative behavioral health models of care programs and promising practices for each of the programs set forth in subparagraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 5892.

(13) Work in collaboration with the State Department of Health Care Services to define the parameters of a report that includes recommendations for improving and standardizing promising practices across the state based on the technical assistance provided to counties as specified in paragraph (12). The commission shall prepare and publish the report on its internet website. In formulating this report, the commission shall prioritize the perspectives of the California behavioral health community through a robust public engagement process with a focus on priority populations and diverse communities.

(14) Establish a framework and voluntary standard for mental health in the workplace that serves to reduce mental health stigma, increase public, employee, and employer awareness of the recovery goals of the Mental Health Services Act, and provide guidance to California’s employer community to put in place strategies and programs, as determined by the commission, to support the mental health and wellness of employees. The commission shall consult with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency or its designee to develop the standard.

(g) (1) The commission shall work in collaboration with the State Department of Health Care Services and the California Behavioral Health Planning Council, and in consultation with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, to write a report that includes recommendations for improving and standardizing promising practices for Behavioral Health Services Act programs.

(2) The commission shall complete the report and provide a written report on its internet website no later than January 1, 2030, and every three years thereafter.

(h) For purposes of this section, “substance use disorder” shall have the meaning as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 5891.5.

(i) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 58) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 40, Sec. 41. (SB 159) Effective June 29, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)

part: 3.7. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

path: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES > 2. Prevention and Early Intervention Program Planning > 3.7. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY


text:
(a) (1) The Behavioral Health Services Act Innovation Partnership Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury.

(2) The fund shall be administered by the state for the purposes of funding a grant program administered by the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission pursuant to this section and subdivision (f) of Section 5892.

(b) All of the following may be paid into the fund:

(1) Any private donation or grant.

(2) Any other federal or state grant.

(3) Any interest that accrues on amounts in the fund and any moneys previously allocated from private donations or grants received by the fund that are subsequently returned to the fund.

(c) (1) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission shall award grants to private, public, and nonprofit partners to promote development of innovative mental health and substance use disorder programs and practices.

(2) The innovative mental health and substance use disorder programs and practices shall be designed for the following purposes:

(A) Improving Behavioral Health Services Act programs and practices funded pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 5892 for the following groups:

(i) Underserved populations.

(ii) Low-income populations.

(iii) Communities impacted by other behavioral health disparities.

(iv) Other populations, as determined by the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

(B) Meeting statewide Behavioral Health Services Act goals and objectives.

(3) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, in determining the allowable uses of the funds, shall consult with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the State Department of Health Care Services. If the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission utilizes funding for population-based prevention or workforce innovation grants, the commission shall consult with the State Department of Public Health for population-based prevention innovations and the Department of Health Care Access and Information for workforce innovations.

(d) (1) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission shall submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2030, and every three years thereafter. The report shall cover the three-fiscal-year period immediately preceding the date of submission.

(2) The report shall include the practices funded pursuant to this section and the extent to which they accomplished the purposes specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (b).

(3) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 40, Sec. 42. (SB 159) Effective June 29, 2024.)


text:
In addition to the activities authorized under Section 5845, the commission may establish a fellowship program in accordance with this section for the purpose of providing an experiential learning opportunity for mental health or substance use disorder consumers and mental health or substance use disorder professionals.

(a) Participants in the fellowship shall serve on an annual basis and may serve only one term as a fellow.

(b) The fellowship program established under this section shall support the broad goals of the commission and be based upon the following principles:

(1) To enhance opportunities for the work of the commission to reflect the perspective of persons with personal experience and state-of-the-art practices in the mental health and substance use disorder fields.

(2) To strengthen opportunities for the goals of the Behavioral Health Services Act and the work of the commission in promoting those goals and to be accessible and understandable to mental health and substance use disorder individuals, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, and the general public.

(3) To improve opportunities for outreach and engagement with individuals who have a mental health disorder or a substance use disorder and mental health and substance use disorder professionals relating to the work of the commission.

(4) To increase the awareness of mental health and substance use disorder individuals and professionals of the goals of the Behavioral Health Services Act and both of the following:

(A) The role of the state in meeting those goals.

(B) The role of public policy, regulation development, fiscal strategies, use of data, research, and evaluation and communication strategies to improve mental health and substance use disorder outcomes in California.

(c) (1) The commission shall establish an advisory committee to provide guidance on the fellowship program goals, design, eligibility criteria, application process, and other issues as the commission deems necessary.

(2) The advisory committee shall include persons with personal experience with the mental health and substance use disorder system, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, persons with experience with similar fellowship programs, and others with diverse perspectives who can assist the commission to meet the goals of the fellowship program.

(d) The commission may enter into an interagency agreement or other contractual agreement with a state, local, or private entity, as determined by the commission, to receive technical assistance or relevant services to support the establishment and implementation of the fellowship program.

(e) (1) The commission shall ensure that the fellowship program does not cause the displacement of a civil service employee.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “displacement” means a layoff, a demotion, an involuntary transfer to a new class, an involuntary transfer to a new location requiring a change of residence, a time base reduction, a change in shift or days off, or a reassignment to another position within the same class and general location.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 60) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 61. (SB 326) Effective October 12, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The commission shall biennially report to the Senate and Assembly Committees on Health, Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services the outcomes for those receiving community mental health services under a full service partnership model. The initial report shall be submitted no later than November 15, 2022. The commission may also issue a progress report in a year when it is not otherwise due if the commission deems the report to be necessary.

(b) The report shall include, but not be limited to, information regarding persons eligible for full service partnerships, including summary information relating to enrollees and nonenrollees with respect to the community mental health services they receive and their experience with all of the following:

(1) Incarceration or criminalization.

(2) Housing status or homelessness.

(3) Hospitalization, emergency room utilization, and crisis service utilization.

(c) The report shall also include information regarding individuals who separate from a full service partnership, including, but not limited to, analysis of the reasons for separation and, to the extent possible, the community mental health services received and the statuses or experiences of these individuals regarding the outcomes identified in subdivision (b) for a period of 12 months following separation.

(d) The report shall also assess the degree to which the individuals most in need are accessing services and maintaining participation in a full service partnership or other programs providing similar services.

(e) The commission shall report any barriers to receiving the data relevant to completing this report and include recommendations to strengthen California’s use of full service partnerships to reduce incarceration, hospitalization, and homelessness.

(f) In doing this work, the commission shall consult with the California mental health community, including, but not limited to, consumers, relatives of consumers, providers, and other subject matter experts.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 544, Sec. 1. (SB 465) Effective January 1, 2022.)


citation: WIC § 5847

text:
Integrated Plans for Prevention, Innovation, and System of Care Services.

(a) Each county mental health program shall prepare and submit a three-year program and expenditure plan, and annual updates, adopted by the county board of supervisors, to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services within 30 days after adoption.

(b) The three-year program and expenditure plan shall be based on available unspent funds and estimated revenue allocations provided by the state and in accordance with established stakeholder engagement and planning requirements, as required in Section 5848. The three-year program and expenditure plan and annual updates shall include all of the following:

(1) A program for prevention and early intervention in accordance with Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840).

(2) A program for services to children in accordance with Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), to include a program pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 18250) of Part 6 of Division 9 or provide substantial evidence that it is not feasible to establish a wraparound program in that county.

(3) A program for services to adults and seniors in accordance with Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800).

(4) A program for innovations in accordance with Part 3.2 (commencing with Section 5830).

(5) A program for technological needs and capital facilities needed to provide services pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850). All plans for proposed facilities with restrictive settings shall demonstrate that the needs of the people to be served cannot be met in a less restrictive or more integrated setting, such as permanent supportive housing.

(6) Identification of shortages in personnel to provide services pursuant to the above programs and the additional assistance needed from the education and training programs established pursuant to Part 3.1 (commencing with Section 5820).

(7) Establishment and maintenance of a prudent reserve to ensure the county program will continue to be able to serve children, adults, and seniors that it is currently serving pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act, Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840), Prevention and Early Intervention Programs, and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), the Children’s Mental Health Services Act, during years in which revenues for the Behavioral Health Services Fund are below recent averages adjusted by changes in the state population and the California Consumer Price Index.

(8) Certification by the county behavioral health director, which ensures that the county has complied with all pertinent regulations, laws, and statutes of the Mental Health Services Act, including stakeholder participation and nonsupplantation requirements.

(9) Certification by the county behavioral health director and by the county auditor-controller that the county has complied with any fiscal accountability requirements as directed by the State Department of Health Care Services, and that all expenditures are consistent with the requirements of the Mental Health Services Act.

(c) The programs established pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) shall include services to address the needs of transition age youth 16 to 25 years of age, inclusive. In implementing this subdivision, county mental health programs shall consider the needs of transition age foster youth.

(d) Each year, the State Department of Health Care Services shall inform the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California and the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission of the methodology used for revenue allocation to the counties.

(e) Each county mental health program shall prepare expenditure plans pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for adults and seniors, Part 3.2 (commencing with Section 5830) for innovative programs, Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840) for prevention and early intervention programs, and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for services for children, and updates to the plans developed pursuant to this section. Each expenditure update shall indicate the number of children, adults, and seniors to be served pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) and the cost per person. The expenditure update shall include utilization of unspent funds allocated in the previous year and the proposed expenditure for the same purpose.

(f) A county mental health program shall include an allocation of funds from a reserve established pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) for services pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) in years in which the allocation of funds for services pursuant to subdivision (e) are not adequate to continue to serve the same number of individuals as the county had been serving in the previous fiscal year.

(g) The department shall post on its internet website the three-year program and expenditure plans submitted by every county pursuant to subdivision (a) in a timely manner.

(h) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a county that is unable to complete and submit a three-year program and expenditure plan or annual update for the 2020–21 or 2021–22 fiscal years due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency may extend the effective timeframe of its currently approved three-year plan or annual update to include the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal years. The county shall submit a three-year program and expenditure plan or annual update to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services by July 1, 2022.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” means the federal Public Health Emergency declaration made pursuant to Section 247d of Title 42 of the United States Code on January 30, 2020, entitled “Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists Nationwide as the Result of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus,” and any renewal of that declaration.

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (f), a county may, during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal years, use funds from its prudent reserve for prevention and early intervention programs created in accordance with Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840) and for services to persons with severe mental illnesses pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for the children’s system of care and Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for the adult and older adult system of care. These services may include housing assistance, as defined in Section 5892.5, to the target population specified in Section 5600.3.

(j) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, may implement, interpret, or make specific subdivisions (h) and (i) of this section and subdivision (i) of Section 5892 by means of all-county letters or other similar instructions.

(k) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2026, and as of January 1, 2027, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 243, Sec. 17. (SB 862) Effective January 1, 2026. Inoperative July 1, 2026, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) California has realigned public community mental health services to counties, and it is imperative that sufficient community-based resources be available to meet the mental health needs of eligible individuals.

(2) Increasing access to effective prevention, early intervention, outpatient, and crisis stabilization services provides an opportunity to reduce costs associated with expensive inpatient and emergency room care and better meet the needs of individuals with mental health disorders in the least restrictive manner possible.

(3) Almost one-fifth of people with mental health disorders visit a hospital emergency room at least once per year. If an adequate array of crisis services is not available, it leaves an individual with little choice but to access an emergency room for assistance and, potentially, an unnecessary inpatient hospitalization.

(4) Recent reports have called attention to a continuing problem of inappropriate and unnecessary utilization of hospital emergency rooms in California due to limited community-based services for individuals in psychological distress and acute psychiatric crisis. Hospitals report that 70 percent of people taken to emergency rooms for psychiatric evaluation can be stabilized and transferred to a less-intensive level of crisis care. Law enforcement personnel report that their personnel need to stay with people in the emergency room waiting area until a placement is found and that less intensive levels of care tend not to be available.

(5) Comprehensive public and private partnerships at both local and regional levels, including across physical health services, mental health, substance use disorder, law enforcement, social services, and related supports, are necessary to develop and maintain high-quality, patient-centered, and cost-effective care for individuals with mental health disorders that facilitates their recovery and leads towards wellness.

(6) The recovery of individuals with mental health disorders is important for all levels of government, business, and the local community.

(b) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013. The objectives of this section are to do all of the following:

(1) Expand access to prevention, early intervention, and treatment services to improve the client experience, achieve recovery and wellness, and reduce costs.

(2) Expand the continuum of services to address crisis prevention, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and crisis residential treatment needs that are wellness-, resiliency-, and recovery-oriented.

(3) Add at least 25 mobile crisis support teams and at least 2,000 crisis stabilization and crisis residential treatment beds to bolster capacity at the local level to improve access to mental health crisis services and address unmet mental health care needs.

(4) Add at least 600 triage personnel to provide intensive case management and linkage to services for individuals with a mental health disorder at various points of access, such as at designated community-based service points, homeless shelters, and clinics.

(5) Reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and inpatient days by appropriately utilizing community-based services and improving access to timely assistance.

(6) Reduce recidivism and mitigate unnecessary expenditures of local law enforcement.

(7) Provide local communities with increased financial resources to leverage additional public and private funding sources to achieve improved networks of care for individuals with mental health disorders.

(8) (A) Provide a complete continuum of crisis services for children and youth 21 years of age and under regardless of where they live in the state.

(B) The funds included in the 2016 Budget Act for the purpose of developing the continuum of mental health crisis services for children and youth 21 years of age and under shall be for the following objectives:

(i) Provide a continuum of crisis services for children and youth 21 years of age and under, regardless of where they live in the state.

(ii) Provide for early intervention and treatment services to improve the client experience, achieve recovery and wellness, and reduce costs.

(iii) Expand the continuum of community-based services to address crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and crisis residential treatment needs that are wellness-, resiliency-, and recovery-oriented.

(iv) Add at least 200 mobile crisis support teams.

(v) Add at least 120 crisis stabilization services and beds and crisis residential treatment beds to increase capacity at the local level and improve access to mental health crisis services and address unmet mental health care needs.

(vi) Add triage personnel to provide intensive case management and linkage to services for individuals with mental health disorders at various points of access, such as at designated community-based service points, homeless shelters, schools, and clinics.

(vii) Expand family respite care to help families and sustain caregiver health and well-being.

(viii) Expand family supportive training and related services designed to help families participate in the planning process, access services, and navigate programs.

(ix) Reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and inpatient days by appropriately utilizing community-based services.

(x) Reduce recidivism and mitigate unnecessary expenditures of local law enforcement.

(xi) Provide local communities with increased financial resources to leverage additional public and private funding sources to achieve improved networks of care for children and youth 21 years of age and under with a mental health disorder.

(c) Through appropriations provided in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, it is the intent of the Legislature to authorize the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, hereafter referred to as the authority, and the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, hereafter referred to as the commission, to administer competitive selection processes or a sole-source contracting process as provided in this section for capital capacity and program expansion to increase capacity for mobile crisis support, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization services, crisis residential treatment, and specified personnel resources.

(d) (1) Funds appropriated by the Legislature to the authority for purposes of this section shall be made available to selected counties or counties acting jointly.

(2) The authority may, at its discretion, give consideration to private nonprofit corporations and public agencies in an area or region of the state if a county, or counties acting jointly, affirmatively supports this designation and collaboration in lieu of a county government directly receiving grant funds.

(3) Grant awards made by the authority shall be used to expand local resources for the development, capital, equipment acquisition, and applicable program startup or expansion costs to increase capacity for client assistance and services in the following areas:

(A) Crisis intervention as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684.

(B) Crisis stabilization as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684.

(C) Crisis residential treatment as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684 and as provided at a children’s crisis residential program as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code.

(D) Rehabilitative mental health services as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684.

(E) Mobile crisis support teams, including personnel and equipment, such as the purchase of vehicles.

(4) (A) The authority shall develop selection criteria to expand local resources, including those described in paragraph (3), and processes for awarding grants after consulting with representatives and interested stakeholders from the mental health community, including, but not limited to, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, service providers, consumer organizations, and other appropriate interests, such as health care providers and law enforcement, as determined by the authority.

(B) The authority shall ensure that grants result in cost-effective expansion of the number of community-based crisis resources in regions and communities selected for funding.

(C) The authority shall also take into account at least the following criteria and factors when selecting recipients of grants and determining the amount of grant awards:

(i) Description of need, including, at a minimum, a comprehensive description of the project, community need, population to be served, linkage with other public systems of health and mental health care, linkage with local law enforcement, social services, and related assistance, as applicable, and a description of the request for funding.

(ii) Ability to serve the target population, which includes individuals eligible for Medi-Cal and individuals eligible for county health and mental health services.

(iii) Geographic areas or regions of the state to be eligible for grant awards, which may include rural, suburban, and urban areas, and may include use of the five regional designations utilized by the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California.

(iv) Level of community engagement and commitment to project completion.

(v) Financial support that, in addition to a grant that may be awarded by the authority, will be sufficient to complete and operate the project for which the grant from the authority is awarded.

(vi) Ability to provide additional funding support to the project, including public or private funding, federal tax credits and grants, foundation support, and other collaborative efforts.

(vii) Memorandum of understanding among project partners, if applicable.

(viii) Information regarding the legal status of the collaborating partners, if applicable.

(ix) Ability to measure key outcomes, including improved access to services, health, and mental health outcomes, and cost benefit of the project.

(5) (A) The authority shall determine maximum grants awards, which shall take into consideration the number of projects awarded to the grantee, as described in paragraph (3), and shall reflect reasonable costs for the project and geographic region.

(B) The authority may allocate a grant in increments contingent upon the phases of a project.

(6) Funds awarded by the authority pursuant to this section may be used to supplement, but not to supplant, existing financial and resource commitments of the grantee or another member of a collaborative effort that has been awarded a grant.

(7) (A) All projects that are awarded grants by the authority shall be completed within a reasonable period of time, to be determined by the authority.

(B) Funds shall not be released by the authority until the applicant demonstrates project readiness to the authority’s satisfaction.

(C) If the authority determines that a grant recipient has failed to complete the project under the terms specified in awarding the grant, the authority may require remedies, including the return of all or a portion of the grant.

(8) A grantee that receives a grant from the authority under this section shall commit to using that capital capacity and program expansion project, such as the mobile crisis team, crisis stabilization unit, or crisis residential treatment program, for the duration of the expected life of the project.

(9) The authority may consult with a technical assistance entity, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 4061, for purposes of implementing this section.

(10) The authority may adopt emergency regulations relating to the grants for the capital capacity and program expansion projects described in this section, including emergency regulations that define eligible costs and determine minimum and maximum grant amounts.

(11) The authority shall provide reports to the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on or before May 1, 2014, and on or before May 1, 2015, on the progress of implementation, that include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) A description of each project awarded funding.

(B) The amount of each grant issued.

(C) A description of other sources of funding for each project.

(D) The total amount of grants issued.

(E) A description of project operation and implementation, including who is being served.

(12) A recipient of a grant provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall adhere to all applicable laws relating to scope of practice, licensure, certification, workforce, and building codes.

(e) Of the funds specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (b), it is the intent of the Legislature to authorize the authority to administer competitive selection processes as provided in this section for capital capacity and program expansion to increase capacity for mobile crisis support, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization services, crisis residential treatment, family respite care, family supportive training and related services, and triage personnel resources for children and youth 21 years of age and under.

(f) (1) Funds appropriated by the Legislature to the authority to address crisis services for children and youth 21 years of age and under for the purposes of this section shall be made available to selected counties or counties acting jointly.

(2) The authority may, at its discretion, also give consideration to private nonprofit corporations and public agencies in an area or region of the state if a county, or counties acting jointly, affirmatively support this designation and collaboration in lieu of a county government directly receiving grant funds.

(3) Grant awards made by the authority shall be used to expand local resources for the development, capital, equipment acquisition, and applicable program startup or expansion costs to increase capacity for client assistance and crisis services for children and youth 21 years of age and under in the following areas:

(A) Crisis intervention as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684.

(B) Crisis stabilization as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684.

(C) Crisis residential treatment as authorized by Sections 14021.4, 14680, and 14684 and as provided at a children’s crisis residential program as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code.

(D) Mobile crisis support teams, including the purchase of equipment and vehicles.

(E) Family respite care.

(4) (A) The authority shall develop selection criteria to expand local resources, including those described in paragraph (3), and processes for awarding grants after consulting with representatives and interested stakeholders from the mental health community, including, but not limited to, county mental health directors, service providers, consumer organizations, and other appropriate interests, such as health care providers and law enforcement, as determined by the authority.

(B) The authority shall ensure that grants result in cost-effective expansion of the number of community-based crisis resources in regions and communities selected for funding.

(C) The authority shall also take into account at least the following criteria and factors when selecting recipients of grants and determining the amount of grant awards:

(i) Description of need, including, at a minimum, a comprehensive description of the project, community need, population to be served, linkage with other public systems of health and mental health care, linkage with local law enforcement, social services, and related assistance, as applicable, and a description of the request for funding.

(ii) Ability to serve the target population, which includes individuals eligible for Medi-Cal and individuals eligible for county health and mental health services.

(iii) Geographic areas or regions of the state to be eligible for grant awards, which may include rural, suburban, and urban areas, and may include use of the five regional designations utilized by the California Behavioral Health Directors Association.

(iv) Level of community engagement and commitment to project completion.

(v) Financial support that, in addition to a grant that may be awarded by the authority, will be sufficient to complete and operate the project for which the grant from the authority is awarded.

(vi) Ability to provide additional funding support to the project, including public or private funding, federal tax credits and grants, foundation support, and other collaborative efforts.

(vii) Memorandum of understanding among project partners, if applicable.

(viii) Information regarding the legal status of the collaborating partners, if applicable.

(ix) Ability to measure key outcomes, including utilization of services, health and mental health outcomes, and cost benefit of the project.

(5) (A) The authority shall determine maximum grant awards, which shall take into consideration the number of projects awarded to the grantee, as described in paragraph (1), and shall reflect reasonable costs for the project, geographic region, and target ages.

(B) The authority may allocate a grant in increments contingent upon the phases of a project.

(6) Funds awarded by the authority pursuant to this section may be used to supplement, but not to supplant, existing financial and resource commitments of the grantee or another member of a collaborative effort that has been awarded a grant.

(7) (A) All projects that are awarded grants by the authority shall be completed within a reasonable period of time, to be determined by the authority.

(B) Funds shall not be released by the authority until the applicant demonstrates project readiness to the authority’s satisfaction.

(C) If the authority determines that a grant recipient has failed to complete the project under the terms specified in awarding the grant, the authority may require remedies, including the return of all, or a portion, of the grant.

(8) A grantee that receives a grant from the authority under this section shall commit to using that capital capacity and program expansion project, such as the mobile crisis team, crisis stabilization unit, family respite care, or crisis residential treatment program, for the duration of the expected life of the project.

(9) The authority may consult with a technical assistance entity, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 4061, for the purposes of implementing this section.

(10) The authority may adopt emergency regulations relating to the grants for the capital capacity and program expansion projects described in this section, including emergency regulations that define eligible costs and determine minimum and maximum grant amounts.

(11) The authority shall provide reports to the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on or before January 10, 2018, and annually thereafter, on the progress of implementation, that include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(A) A description of each project awarded funding.

(B) The amount of each grant issued.

(C) A description of other sources of funding for each project.

(D) The total amount of grants issued.

(E) A description of project operation and implementation, including who is being served.

(12) A recipient of a grant provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall adhere to all applicable laws relating to scope of practice, licensure, certification, workforce, and building codes.

(g) (1) (A) Funds appropriated by the Legislature to the commission for purposes of this section shall be allocated to support crisis prevention, early intervention, and crisis response strategies, as determined by the commission with input from peers, county behavioral health agencies, community-based organizations, and others.

(B) In allocating these funds, the commission shall consult with the California Health and Human Services Agency and other state agencies as needed, to leverage existing funds and share best practices and shall take into consideration data on populations at risk for experiencing a mental health crisis, including the needs of early childhood, children and youth, transition age youth, adults, and older adults.

(C) These funds shall be made available to selected entities, including, but not limited to, counties, counties acting jointly, city mental health departments, other local governmental agencies and community-based organizations, such as health care providers, hospitals, health systems, childcare providers, early childhood education providers, and other entities as determined by the commission through a competitive selection process or a sole-source process, as determined by the commission.

(D) The commission may utilize a sole-source process when it determines, during a public hearing, that it is in the public interest to do so and would address barriers to participation for local governmental agencies, including small counties, other local agencies, and community-based organizations or is aligned with the goals of this section.

(E) It is the intent of the Legislature for these funds to be allocated in an efficient manner to encourage prevention, early intervention, and receipt of needed services for individuals with mental health needs, or who are at risk of needing crisis services, and to assist in navigating the local service sector to improve efficiencies and the delivery of services.

(F) The commission shall consider existing data sources for populations who are at higher risk for experiencing a mental health crisis when allocating these funds.

(2) Funding may be used to support services, supports, education, and training that are offered in person, by telephone, by videoconference, or by telehealth with the individual in need of assistance, their significant support person, or others, and may be provided anywhere in the community. These service and related activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) Communication, coordination, and referral.

(B) Monitoring service delivery to ensure the individual accesses and receives services.

(C) Monitoring the individual’s progress.

(D) Providing placement service assistance and service plan development.

(E) Education and training.

(F) Innovative, best practice, evidence-based, and related approaches to support crisis prevention, early intervention, and crisis response.

(3) The commission shall take into account at least the following criteria and factors when selecting recipients and determining the amount of grant awards as follows:

(A) Description of need, including potential gaps in local service connections.

(B) Description of funding request, including use of peers and peer support.

(C) Description of how funding will be used to facilitate linkage and access to services, including objectives and anticipated outcomes.

(D) Ability to obtain federal Medicaid reimbursement, if applicable.

(E) Ability to administer an effective service program and the degree to which local agencies and service providers will support and collaborate with the effort.

(F) Geographic areas or regions of the state to be eligible for grant awards, which shall include rural, suburban, and urban areas, and may include use of the five regional designations utilized by the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California.

(4) The commission shall determine maximum grant awards and shall take into consideration the level of need, population to be served, and related criteria, as described in paragraph (2), and shall reflect reasonable costs.

(5) Funds awarded by the commission for purposes of this section may be used to supplement, but not supplant, existing financial and resource commitments of the entities that receive the grant.

(6) (A) Notwithstanding any other law, a county, counties acting jointly, a city mental health department, a community-based organization, or other entity that receives an award of funds for the purpose of supporting crisis prevention, early intervention, and crisis response strategies pursuant to this subdivision may be required to provide a matching contribution of local funds.

(B) The commission may, at its discretion, allow and approve grants that include matching funds, in whole or in part, to enhance the impact of limited public funding. Matching fund requirements shall not be designed in a manner that will prevent participation from local agencies, community-based organizations, or other entities that are eligible to participate in the funding opportunities created by this section.

(7) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission, without taking any further regulatory action, may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of informational letters, bulletins, or similar instructions.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 65) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 66. (SB 326) Effective October 12, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)

part: 3.8. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

path: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES > 2. Prevention and Early Intervention Program Planning > 3.8. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES


text: Any emergency regulations that may be adopted by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, as described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (d) of Section 5848.5, shall be adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The adoption of these regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 361, Sec. 3. (SB 101) Effective September 26, 2013.)


text:
(a) (1) Except as described in subdivision (b), any program or pilot program in which mental health professionals respond in collaboration with law enforcement personnel, or in place of law enforcement personnel, to emergency calls related to mental health crises shall ensure that the program is supervised by a licensed mental health professional.

(2) This section does not prohibit the licensed mental health professional supervising the program from also responding to calls and providing care.

(b) If law enforcement collaborates with county behavioral health agencies, supervision of mental health professionals shall be consistent with existing county behavioral health agency standards and requirements for supervision.

(c) For the purposes of this section, a licensed mental health professional means one of the following:

(1) A licensed clinical social worker, pursuant to Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 4991) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(2) A licensed professional clinical counselor, pursuant to Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(3) A licensed marriage and family therapist, pursuant to Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 4980) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(4) A licensed psychologist, pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(5) A licensed physician under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who is either a board certified psychiatrist or has completed a residency in psychiatry.

(6) A registered nurse licensed pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who possesses a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing and is listed as a psychiatric-mental health nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing, or any advanced practice registered nurse certified as a clinical nurse specialist pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 2838) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who participates in expert clinical practice in the specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing.

(d) This section does not alter the scope of practice for a health care professional or authorize the delivery of health care services in a setting or manner that is not authorized pursuant to the Business and Professions Code or the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 137, Sec. 1. (AB 465) Effective January 1, 2021.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Community alternatives should be expanded to reduce the need for mental health and substance use disorder treatment in jails and prisons.

(2) The number of people with serious mental illnesses incarcerated in county jails and the state’s prison system continues to rise.

(3) A significant number of individuals with serious mental illness have a co-occurring substance use disorder.

(4) The treatment and recovery of individuals with mental health disorders and substance use disorders are important for all levels of government, business, and the local community.

(b) Funds appropriated by the Legislature to the authority for the purposes of this section shall be used to establish a competitive grant program designed to promote diversion programs and services by increasing and expanding mental health treatment facilities, substance use disorder treatment facilities, and trauma-centered service facilities, including facilities providing services for sex trafficking victims, domestic violence victims, and victims of other violent crimes, in local communities, through the provision of infrastructure grants.

(c) Grant awards made by the authority shall be used to expand local resources for facility acquisition or renovation, equipment acquisition, and applicable program startup or expansion costs to increase availability and capacity to diversion programs described in paragraph (b).

(d) Funds appropriated by the Legislature to the authority for the purposes of this section shall be made available to selected counties, city or county, or counties acting jointly.

(e) The authority shall develop selection criteria to expand local resources, including those described in subdivision (b), and processes for awarding grants after consulting with representatives and interested stakeholders from the mental health treatment community, substance use disorder treatment community, and trauma recovery center providers, including, but not limited to, county behavioral health directors, service providers, consumer organizations, and other appropriate interests, such as health care providers, law enforcement, trial courts, and formerly incarcerated individuals as determined by the authority. The authority shall monitor that grants result in cost-effective expansion of the number of community-based resources in regions and communities selected for funding. The authority shall also take into account at least the following criteria and factors when selecting recipients of grants and determining the amount of grant awards:

(1) Description of need, including, at a minimum, a comprehensive description of the project, community need, population to be served, linkage with other public systems of health and mental health care, linkage with local law enforcement, social services, and related assistance, as applicable, and a description of the request for funding.

(2) Ability to serve the target population, which includes individuals eligible for Medi-Cal and individuals eligible for county health and mental health services.

(3) Geographic areas or regions of the state to be eligible for grant awards, which may include rural, suburban, and urban areas, and may include use of the five regional designations utilized by the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California.

(4) Level of community engagement and commitment to project completion.

(5) Financial support that, in addition to a grant that may be awarded by the authority, will be sufficient to complete and operate the project for which the grant from the authority is awarded.

(6) Ability to provide additional funding support to the project, including public or private funding, federal tax credits and grants, foundation support, and other collaborative efforts.

(7) Memorandum of understanding among project partners, if applicable.

(8) Information regarding the legal status of the collaborating partners, if applicable.

(9) Ability to measure key outcomes, including utilization of services, health and mental health outcomes, and cost benefit of the project.

(f) The authority shall determine maximum grant awards, which shall take into consideration the number of projects awarded to the grantee, as described in subdivision (c), and shall reflect reasonable costs for the project and geographic region. The authority may allocate a grant in increments contingent upon the phases of a project.

(g) Funds awarded by the authority pursuant to this section may be used to supplement, but not to supplant, existing financial and resource commitments of the grantee or any other member of a collaborative effort that has been awarded a grant.

(h) All projects that are awarded grants by the authority shall be completed within a reasonable period of time, to be determined by the authority. Funds shall not be released by the authority until the applicant demonstrates project readiness to the authority’s satisfaction. If the authority determines that a grant recipient has failed to complete the project under the terms specified in awarding the grant, the authority may require remedies, including the return of all or a portion of the grant.

(i) The authority may consult with a technical assistance entity, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 4061, for the purposes of implementing this section.

(j) The authority may adopt emergency regulations relating to the grants for the capital capacity and program expansion projects described in this section, including emergency regulations that define eligible costs and determine minimum and maximum grant amounts.

(k) (1) The authority shall provide reports to the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on or before April 1, 2018, and annually until April 1, 2020, on the progress of implementation that include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) A description of each project awarded funding.

(B) The amount of each grant issued.

(C) A description of other sources of funding for each project.

(D) The total amount of grants issued.

(E) A description of project operation and implementation, including who is being served.

(2) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under this subdivision is inoperative on April 1, 2024, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.

(l) A recipient of a grant provided pursuant to paragraph (b) shall adhere to all applicable laws relating to scope of practice, licensure, certification, staffing, and building codes.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 33, Sec. 52. (SB 843) Effective June 27, 2016.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that this part is consistent with and furthers the purposes of the Mental Health Services Act, enacted by Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, within the meaning of Section 18 of that measure.

(b) The Legislature further finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Housing is a key factor for stabilization and recovery to occur and results in improved outcomes for individuals living with a mental illness.

(2) Untreated mental illness can increase the risk of homelessness, especially for single adults.

(3) California has the nation’s largest homeless population, which is disproportionally comprised of women with children and youth, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

(4) California has the largest number of homeless veterans in the United States at 24 percent of the total population in our nation. Fifty percent of California’s homeless veterans live with serious mental illness and 70 percent have a substance use disorder.

(5) Fifty percent of mothers experiencing homelessness have experienced a major depressive episode since becoming homeless, and 36 percent of these mothers live with post-traumatic stress disorder and 41 percent have a substance use disorder.

(6) Ninety-three percent of supportive housing tenants who live with mental illness and substance use disorders voluntarily participated in the services offered.

(7) Adults who receive two years of “whatever-it-takes,” or Full-Service Partnership services, experience a 68-percent reduction in homelessness.

(8) For every dollar of bond funds invested in permanent supportive housing, the state and local governments can leverage a significant amount of additional dollars through tax credits, Medicaid health services funding, and other housing development funds.

(9) Tenants of permanent supportive housing reduced their visits to the emergency department by 56 percent and their hospital admissions by 45 percent.

(10) The cost in public services for a chronically homeless Californian ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. When housed, these costs are cut in half and some reports show reductions in cost of more than 70 percent, including potentially less involvement with the health and criminal justice systems.

(11) Californians have identified homelessness as their top tier priority. This measure seeks to address the needs of the most vulnerable people within this population.

(12) Having counties provide mental health programming and services is a benefit to the state.

(13) The Department of Housing and Community Development is the state entity with sufficient expertise to implement and oversee a grant or loan program for permanent supportive housing of the target population.

(14) The California Health Facilities Financing Authority is authorized by law to issue bonds and to consult with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services concerning the implementation of a grant or loan program for California counties to support the development of programs that increase access to, and capacity for, crisis mental health services. It is therefore appropriate for the authority to issue bonds and contract for services with the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide grants or loans to California counties for permanent supportive housing for the target population.

(15) Use of bond funding will accelerate the availability of funding for the grant or loan program to provide permanent supportive housing for the target population as compared to relying on annual allocations from the Behavioral Health Services Fund and better allow counties to provide permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals living with mental illness.

(16) The findings and declarations set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 5849.35 are hereby incorporated herein.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 67) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 68. (SB 326) Effective October 12, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)

part: 3.9. The No Place Like Home Program

path: 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES > 2. Prevention and Early Intervention Program Planning > 3.9. The No Place Like Home Program


text:
As used in this part, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “At risk of chronic homelessness” includes, but is not limited to, persons who are at high risk of long-term or intermittent homelessness, including persons with mental illness exiting institutionalized settings, including, but not limited to, jail, mental health, and substance use disorder facilities, who were homeless prior to admission, transition age youth experiencing homelessness or with significant barriers to housing stability, and others, as defined in program guidelines.

(b) “Authority” means the California Health Facilities Financing Authority established pursuant to Part 7.2 (commencing with Section 15430) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) “Capitalized operating reserves” has the same meaning as defined in Section 50058.8 of the Health and Safety Code.

(d) “Chronically homeless” has the same meaning as defined in Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations as that section read on May 1, 2016, or as otherwise modified or expanded by the State Department of Health Care Services.

(e) “Commission” means the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission established by Section 5845.

(f) “Committee” means the No Place Like Home Program Advisory Committee established pursuant to Section 5849.3.

(g) “County” includes, but is not limited to, a city and a city and county receiving funds pursuant to Section 5701.5.

(h) “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development.

(i) “Development sponsor” has the same meaning as “sponsor” as defined in Section 50675.2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(j) “Fund” means the No Place Like Home Fund established pursuant to Section 5849.4.

(k) “Homeless” has the same meaning as defined in Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations as that section read on May 1, 2016.

(l) “Permanent supportive housing” has the same meaning as “supportive housing,” as defined in Section 50675.14 of the Health and Safety Code, except that “permanent supportive housing” shall include associated facilities if used to provide services to housing residents.

(m) (1) “Program” means the process for awarding funds and distributing moneys to applicants established in Sections 5849.7, 5849.8, and 5849.9 and the ongoing monitoring and enforcement of the applicants’ activities pursuant to Sections 5849.8, 5849.9, and 5849.11.

(2) “Competitive program” means the portion of the program established by Section 5849.8.

(3) “Distribution program” means the portion of the program described in Section 5849.9.

(n) “Target population” means individuals or households, as provided in Section 5600.3, who are homeless, chronically homeless, or at risk of chronic homelessness.

(o) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 22, Sec. 66. (AB 130) Effective June 30, 2025.)


text:
(a) There is hereby established the No Place Like Home Program Advisory Committee. Membership on the committee shall be as follows:

(1) The Director of Housing and Community Development, or their designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the committee.

(2) The Director of Health Care Services, or their designee, and an additional representative.

(3) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs or their designee.

(4) The Director of Social Services or their designee.

(5) The Treasurer or their designee.

(6) The Chair of the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission or their designee.

(7) A chief administrative officer of a small county or a member of a county board of supervisors of a small county, as provided by subdivision (d) of Section 5849.6, to be appointed by the Governor.

(8) A chief administrative officer of a large county or a member of a county board of supervisors of a large county, as provided by subdivision (b) of Section 5849.6, to be appointed by the Governor.

(9) A director of a county behavioral health department, to be appointed by the Governor.

(10) An administrative officer of a city, to be appointed by the Governor.

(11) A representative of an affordable housing organization, to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(12) A resident of supportive housing, to be appointed by the Governor.

(13) A representative of a community behavioral health organization, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.

(14) A representative of a local or regional continuum of care organization that coordinates homelessness funding, to be appointed by the Governor.

(b) The committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Assist and advise the department in the implementation of the program.

(2) Review and make recommendations on the department’s guidelines.

(3) Review the department’s progress in distributing moneys pursuant to this part.

(4) Provide advice and guidance more broadly on statewide homelessness issues.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 71) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 72. (SB 326) Effective October 12, 2023. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The No Place Like Home Fund is hereby created within the State Treasury and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, continuously appropriated to the department, the authority, and the Treasurer for the purposes of this part. Accounts and subaccounts may be created within the fund as needed. Up to 5 percent of the amount deposited in the fund may be used for administrative expenses in implementing this part.

(b) There shall be paid into the fund the following:

(1) Any moneys from the receipt of loan proceeds by the department derived from the issuance of bonds by the authority under subdivision (b) of Section 15463 of the Government Code.

(2) Any appropriation or transfer to the fund from the General Fund or other funds.

(3) Any other federal or state grant, or from any private donation or grant, for the purposes of this part.

(4) Any interest payment, loan repayments, or other return of funds.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 41, Sec. 4. Effective December 19, 2018. Approved in Proposition 2 at the November 6, 2018, election.)