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San Mateo County Health

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Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)

Overview
Planning meeting presenter

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The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), Prop. 63, was passed by California voters in 2004.  It has provided a dedicated source of funding for transforming County Behavioral Health programs serving children, transition-age youth, adults, older adults living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders and their families. 

Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) ​Goes Live July 1, 2026!

Prop. 1 – BHSA was approved by voters this past March 2024 and includes new requirements for MHSA funding allocations and County Behavioral Health programs. As we begin planning for the transition to BHSA, we are excited to also celebrate and share with you a look back at the transformational impact MHSA has had in San Mateo County over the past 15 years, view the MHSA Impact Report and Infographic poster. 

We are thrilled to have you as a visitor, and hope you will want to become involved in MHSA planning!

Announcements – Latest News

MHSA Steering Committee Meeting – December 5th

MHSA Steering Committee meetings are open to the public to provide input, make recommendations and stay up-to-date on new MHSA developments and ongoing programming.  The December meeting will be focused on the San Mateo County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which will guide behavioral health and overall health equity and prevention efforts moving forward.  View the flyer here; meeting materials and details below:

Thursday, December 5, 2024 (hybrid meeting)
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: San Mateo Public Library, Laurel Room
55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224214146
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 892 2421 4146

MHSA Outcomes Workgroup

Workgroups are hosted twice a year to provide more in depth input on MHSA prioritized topics.  The MHSA Outcomes Workgroup kicked off in October 2024 and is focused on identifying direct treatment program outcomes to inform on the impact of MHSA-funded programs. Workgroup materials are posted below:

Amendment to the MHSA Annual Update Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25

On November 6, 2024, the Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) voted to submit to the Board for approval, a proposed Amendment to the MHSA Annual Update, FY 2024-25.  View the amendment including all public comments received and slide deck presentation here.

How to Give Public Comment:

How to Get Involved and stay informed!

About MHSA

MHSA planning, implementation and updates happen on a Fiscal Year (FY) calendar July 1 – June 30. Counties are required to submit Annual Updates and Three-Year Plans that are developed in collaboration with clients, family members of clients, community members and other stakeholders; this process is known as a Community Program Planning (CPP).   

Current MHSA Three-Year Implementation Phase: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of each year
New BHSA Planning Phase Begins: February 2025
New BHSA Three-Year Integrated Plan Due: June 30, 2026

MHSA Issue Resolution Process Policy

An Issue Resolution Process Policy has been adopted to resolve specific MHSA issues related to: 

  1. The Community Program Planning (CPP) process
  2. Consistency between approved MHSA plans and program implementation
  3. The provision of MHSA-funded programs and services

In San Mateo County, the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) manages service/treatment grievances for BHRS and therefore MHSA issues will be routed through the formal OCFA Grievance process. The MHSA Issue Resolution Process policy is focused on grievances related to the planning and implementation of MHSA specifically.

MHSA Components

Community Services & Supports (CSS)

CSS activities focus on providing direct services and treatment to people of all ages living with serious mental illness. At least 51% of CSS dollars have to be spent on full service partnerships, which provide 24/7 wraparound services for individuals living with serious mental health challenges.

Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)

PEI activities target individuals of all ages prior to the onset of mental illness, with the exception of programs focusing on early onset of psychotic disorders. At least 51% of PEI dollars have to be spent on programs for children and youth ages 0-25.

Innovation (INN)

The MHSA INN component allows counties to apply for funds for innovative projects that are implemented for 3-5 years and evaluated to develop new best practices in behavioral health.

New Innovation Project Plans

The following four INN projects are currently being proposed for approval in 2025 by the State Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC):

  1. Peer Support for Peer Work – full proposal / project brief
  2. Animal Fostering and Care for Housing Stability and Wellness – full proposal / project brief 
  3. allcove Half Moon Bay – full proposal / project brief;
  4. PIVOT – developing capacity for MediCal billing - full proposal / project brief

The following four INN projects were approved in 2022 and are currently active:  

  1. Adult Residential In-home Support Element (ARISE) - full proposal / project brief 
  2. Mobile Behavioral Health Services for Farmworkers - full proposal /  project brief
  3. Music Therapy for Asian/Asian Americans – full proposal / project brief
  4. Recovery Connection Drop-In Center – full proposal / project brief 

The following two INN projects were approved in 2020 and are currently active:

  1. PIONEERS – Pacific Islanders Organizing, Nurturing, and Empowering Everyone to Rise and Serve – full proposal
  2. Kapwa Kultural Center (KKC) & Cafe - full proposal

Previous completed INN projects final reports for are available under the Evaluation Reports tab. 

Workforce Education & Training (WET)

WET programming includes training, education, programs and policies to assist in the engagement and selection of a diverse workforce that includes consumers, families, and community members and schools. Visit the BHRS WET website to learn more about the programs and services.

MHSA WET received one-time funding from MHSA through June 2018 for San Mateo County.  An independent contractor was hired to develop a 10-year impact report and a sustainability plan for WET.

Housing

The MHSA Housing Program was established to create permanent supportive housing for individuals living with serious mental health challenges who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Since 2006, the funding has led to 72 supportive housing units developed in San Mateo County. Visit our MHSA Housing page for more information and the most recent MHSA Housing Initiative.

Capital Facilities & Technology Needs (CFTN)

The CFTN component funded e-Clinical Care, an integrated business and clinical information system (electronic health record) as well as ongoing technical support. Currently, CFTN funds devices with data plans for clients to engage in telehealth and recovery services online. 

Community Program Planning

Current Three-Year Implementation Phase: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of each year
Next Three-Year Planning Phase Begins: September 2025
Next Three-Year MHSA Plan Due: June 30, 2026

A Community Program Planning (CPP) process involves clients of behavioral health services, families of clients and other community stakeholders in planning, implementation and evaluation activities of MHSA funded programs.

MHSA Three-Year Plan

Over 400 clients, families, community members, partner agencies and staff participated in the development of the MHSA Three-Year Plan.  Input was gathered at 31 Community Input Sessions throughout the county, through surveys, and as formal public comment during a required 30-Day Public Comment and Public Hearing.  

MHSA Workgroups

The MHSA Steering Committee hosts two workgroups per year.  Workgroup members provide input in planning new services and recommendations for improvements on prioritized topics.  

Steering Committee

MHSA Steering Committee meetings are open to the public to provide input, make recommendations and stay up-to-date on new MHSA developments and ongoing programming.  Meetings  are scheduled on the first Thursday at 3pm in February, May, September and December.  One month prior to each meeting, details for each meeting will be posted under the “Announcement” tab above.  

MHSA Steering Committee Meeting Materials for the planning and implementation of the current Three-Year Plan: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026

Evaluation Reports

Full Service Partnerships (FSP)

Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)

Innovation (INN)

Workforce Education and Training (WET)

Three-Year Plans, Annual Updates and Expenditure Reports

MHSA Three-Year Plan & Annual Update

Annual Revenue and Expenditure Reports (ARER)