Golden State Today

California is expediting the distribution of billions of dollars in new funding to counties and other entities for the construction of outpatient, inpatient, and residential behavioral health facilities. The state aims to create new mental health resources for Californians across the state.

Governor Newsom made this announcement during a visit to a behavioral health treatment center under expansion in San Mateo County. He declared that the state is accelerating the first round of funding provided by Prop 1, aiming to enhance California’s ongoing transformation of the statewide Behavioral Health system.

Alongside announcing the quicker availability of billions of dollars in Behavioral Health Bond construction funding through Prop. 1, Governor Newsom unveiled a new website: MentalHealth.ca.gov. This platform will serve as a comprehensive source for people seeking mental health support and provide information about the state’s ongoing behavioral health transformation.

While visiting San Mateo County, Governor Newsom announced that the county would be an early adopter of the CARE Act, not waiting for the December 1 deadline to bring lifesaving help to people with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders.

Governor Newsom stated: “California is moving full steam ahead, getting funding out faster, and implementing key reforms sooner to better help Californians. The status quo is simply unacceptable. People are demanding more accountability, with real results. That is what we are aiming to deliver, but the state cannot do it alone – it is time for local officials to step up and begin to use the tools available to them to make our communities healthier and safer for all. San Mateo has stepped up. Now it’s time for other counties to do the same.”

The Redwood City location is utilizing investments from the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) program which has been providing funding since 2022 for short-term “bridge” housing settings catering to people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions.

Eligible entities will be able to apply for funding from the first round of the $6.38 billion bond this summer. This bond application timeline is months ahead of the initial schedule, thanks to the work of the Governor’s internal strike team focused on getting results and implementation as quickly as possible.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued its bond guidance for behavioral health treatment beds and sites, with the request for application to be posted this summer. The California Health and Human Services Agency, California Veterans Affairs Agency (CalVet), and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) at the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency have jointly briefed county, city, and other community and local leaders on their role in implementing this historic transformation.

Governor Newsom also announced the launch of MentalHealth.CA.gov, a one-stop website for people seeking mental health resources available to Californians. The website will continue to be built out to include additional details and data so people can see how their county compares to other California counties.

During his visit to San Mateo County, Governor Newsom spoke about the county moving to adopt the CARE Act earlier than others – showing real progress and a need from locals to utilize all of the tools currently available to them for the results Californians are demanding.

Transforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act and building more community behavioral health treatment sites and supportive housing is a central pillar of Governor Newsom’s Mental Health for All initiative.