Governor Newsom unveils updates to state mental health website to track Prop 1 successes
What you need to know: Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new slate of accountability tools on mentalhealth.ca.gov to track implementation progress of Proposition 1 and other critical behavioral health initiatives that increase access to care and housing for all, especially the most seriously ill.
Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new slate of accountability tools on mentalhealth.ca.gov to track progress on the implementation of Proposition 1 and other critical mental health and substance use initiatives to expand access to care and supportive housing . The website now features thermometers that will be continuously updated to show exactly how many new treatment slots are being built for outpatient visits, residential beds for inpatient treatment, permanent supportive housing units, and housing units for veterans.
The website also features new maps that show which counties have started Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court, an innovative program aimed at helping Californians with psychosis and schizophrenia. There are also separate maps to track which counties are implementing reformed conservatorship laws to support those unable to care for themselves.
“When California voters passed Proposition 1 in March, we promised you transformational change. Today, we’re continuing to show our work — for you, the people of California. Counties have the tools to create change, and now Californians will have the tools to track their county’s progress. It’s up to all of us to make sure these life-saving transformations are happening urgently on the local level.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Holding counties accountable
The website features a new guide for Californians and local leaders that explains who to contact and what to ask to learn more about progress being made in your county. The guide can be found HERE.
Bigger picture
California is transforming the behavioral health delivery system to improve access, accountability, transparency, and capacity of behavioral health care settings for Californians. This includes Proposition 1 which has two two parts: a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond for treatment settings and housing with services, and historic reform of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) to focus on people with the most serious illnesses, provide care to people with substance disorders, and support their housing needs.
Recent updates
Last month, Governor Newsom announced the release of up to $3.3 billion in competitive grant funding from Proposition 1 to expand the number of treatment facilities and beds for individuals experiencing mental health conditions and substance use disorders — with a particular focus on people who are most seriously ill, vulnerable, or homeless. The Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Application (RFA) is now live and applications are due to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on December 13, 2024. A second round of funding from Proposition 1 bonds (up to $1.1 billion) will support even more behavioral health facilities in 2025.
What’s next for Prop 1?
Up to $2 billion in Proposition 1 funds to build permanent housing with onsite services for veterans and others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have mental health or substance use disorder challenges will be issued by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), in collaboration with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). HCD is expected to provide guidance for potential grantees by late 2024.
Together, these rounds of bond funding will invest the voter-approved Proposition 1 $6.4 billion in local communities by 2026 to build California’s behavioral health care system and improve health and wellness for all.
Reforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act is the other half of Proposition 1. In early 2025, DHCS will issue guidance to counties about creating a single county plan for the use of all local behavioral health dollars. Counties will report on all local behavioral health needs, inequities, services, and outcomes. These new, united county plans go into effect July 1, 2026. The website features a new guide for Californians and local leaders that explains who to contact and what to ask to learn more about progress being made in your county. The guide can be found HERE.