Golden State Today

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new set of accountability tools on mentalhealth.ca.gov to track the progress of Proposition 1 and other critical behavioral health initiatives aimed at increasing access to care and housing, particularly for those most severely ill.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom presented a new list of accountability tools on mentalhealth.ca.gov that tracks the progress of Proposition 1 implementation and other crucial mental health and substance use initiatives. The website now features continuously updated thermometer-style graphics showing the number of new treatment spaces being constructed for outpatient visits, residential beds for inpatient treatment, permanent supportive housing units, and veteran housing units.

The site also includes new maps indicating which counties have initiated the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Program, designed to assist Californians with psychosis and schizophrenia. Additionally, maps will show which counties are implementing reformed conservatorship laws to support those unable to care for themselves.

“When California voters approved Proposition 1 in March, we promised transformative change. Today, we continue to demonstrate our work for you, the people of California. Counties have the tools to create change, and now Californians will have the tools to follow their county's progress. It is up to all of us to ensure these life-saving transformations are carried out urgently at the local level,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Holding counties accountable

The website features a new guide for Californians and local leaders explaining whom to contact and what questions to ask for more information about their county's progress. The updated guide can be found HERE.

Overview

California is transforming its behavioral health service delivery system to improve access, accountability, governmental transparency, and capacity in behavioral health care centers. This includes Proposition 1, composed of two parts: a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond for treatment settings and service-enriched housing; and a historic reform of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) focusing on individuals with severe illnesses, providing care for substance use disorders, and supporting housing needs.

Recent updates

Last month, Governor Newsom announced up to $3.3 billion in competitive grant funding from Proposition 1 to expand treatment facilities and beds for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders—particularly those who are severely ill or homeless. The first round of the Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP): Launch Ready Request for Applications (RFA) is active now with applications due by December 13, 2024. A second round of bond funding from Proposition 1 (up to $1.1 billion) will further support behavioral health facilities in 2025.

Next steps for Proposition 1

The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), in collaboration with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), will issue up to $2 billion in funds from Proposition 1 to build permanent supportive housing for veterans and others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with mental health issues or substance use disorders. HCD is expected to provide guidance by late 2024.

In total, these rounds of bond funding will invest $6.4 billion from voter-approved Proposition 1 into local communities by 2026 to build California’s behavioral health care system and improve overall well-being.

The second component of Proposition 1 reforms the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act. In early 2025, DHCS will issue guidance for counties on creating unified plans using all local dollars allocated for behavioral health services. Counties must report on all local behavioral health needs, disparities, services provided, and outcomes achieved. These joint county plans will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The website includes an updated guide explaining whom Californians should contact and what questions they should ask about their county's progress. The guide can be found HERE.