by Carol Leish, MA
The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), also known as Proposition 63, is a major source of funding for mental health services across the state, including Ventura County. The spending of these tax revenues is divided between five distinct categories: 1) Community Services and Support; 2) Prevention and Early Intervention; 3) Innovation; 4) Capital facilities and Technological Needs; and 5) Workforce Education and Training.
The community planning process is an important and continuous part of the Mental Health Services Act. Ventura County Behavioral Health is currently in the annual update phase of its Three-Year Plan that covers the 2023-2026 period. This update considers the implementation, evaluation, and budget allocations, and outlines Ventura County Behavioral Health’s goals, programs, and spending for the remainder of the current three-year plan.
This annual update also mentioned that if Proposition 1 is passed by voters during the March 5th midterm election this year, there are potential impacts on Behavioral Health services across the state, including in Ventura County. If passed, the following are potential changes as outlined within the legislation: 1) A 30% housing component will be established, with a ‘housing first’ requirement. 2) Ventura County Behavioral Health will be established as a source of funding for substance use disorders (SUD) Services. 3) A new and comprehensive structure for planning, data gathering, and reporting will occur. 4) Their will be an overhaul of the adult and children’s system of care statutes. 5) Their will be an elimination of the county-based control over prevention funding. 6) Their will be an establishment of new service requirements.
The current community planning process continues to build on the results of a broader needs assessment which outlines solutions in five categories: 1) Housing (i.e., buildings, services, and units); 2) Expanded Types of Services and Treatment Types (i.e., buildings, services, and units); 3) Access (i.e., timeliness of services); 4) Outreach and Education (i.e., knowing when, where, and how to access services); and 5) Alternatives to Ventura County Behavioral Health (i.e., care for persons with mild-to-moderate mental illness and service partners).
Any proposed updates to the current Three-year-Plan will undergo an annual review process which includes: 1) presentations of proposed changes to stakeholders and the broader community; 2) a period where community feedback is collected; 3) a 30-day public posting of the revised plan to allow for review; and, 4) a public hearing. The finalized plan is subject to the approval of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
Again, community feedback is important and helps inform and enhance planning. There are two years remaining to allocate and spend funding for the 2023-2026 period. In light of potential changes to the Mental Health Services Act, much of the current funding is being planned as a one-time allotment with an emphasis being placed on infrastructure, time-limited expansion, and various programs and trainings.
Residents within Ventura County are encouraged to express their thoughts and suggestions during this feedback period. Feedback can be given through March 29th, 2024. Then, the report will be posted to the public and opened for a public review period from April-May, 2024. The Public Hearing for the Mental Health Services Act Three-year Plan annual update is tentatively planned for Monay, May 20th from 1:00pm-3:30pm. For further information about the Three-year Plan, go to www.vcbh.org. To submit feedback and/or to get questions/concerns answered, email the Ventura County Behavioral Health about the Mental Health Services at: [email protected].
