Behavioral Health Services Act
Prop. 1 – Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Transition
Prop. 1 – Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) was approved by voters in March 2024 to reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and includes new service and funding requirements for county behavioral health systems.
To ensure a smooth transition to BHSA by the July, 1 2026 implementation deadline, we are actively engaging in organizational and system changes and gathering input from clients, family members, staff and community partners. Join us and provide input on the transition to BHSA!
Community Program Planning (CPP)
Over the next few months, there will be many opportunities to learn more about Prop. 1 and its impact to behavioral health services and to help inform the transition to BHSA:
- Join the BHSA Transition Taskforce for overall understanding
- Join an Information Session deep dive on how Prop. 1 is impacting behavioral health services
- Join a Community Input Session to provide your input on strategies moving forward
BHSA Transition Taskforce
Join the BHSA Transition Taskforce to learn about Prop. 1 – BHSA and help inform priorities as we transition our county behavioral health system to meet Proposition 1 requirements. See the flyer: English/Spanish/Chinese.
April 3, June 5, August 7, October 2, 2025 (hybrid meetings)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Redwood Shores Library, Meeting Rooms A/B
399 Marine Pkwy, Redwood City
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83635203327
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 836 3520 3327
- Meeting #1 (4/3/25): Agenda, Slides, Minutes, Recording
- Meeting #2 (6/5/25): Agenda, Slides, Minutes, Recording
Information Sessions – Prop 1. Impacts to Services
Learn more about how Prop. 1 requirements will impact Early Interventions, Peer Services, Substance Use/Mental Health Integration, and Housing Interventions and Outcome Reporting. See flyer.
Community Input Sessions
Share your input at a Community Input Session where we will review San Mateo County’s status on each of Prop. 1 Priority Goals, identify community needs and gaps and discuss strategies to address the identified gaps and needs. See flyer.
About Prop. 1 – BHSA
Proposition 1 included two components:
- AB 531 authorized a $6.38 billion general obligation bond to fund behavioral health treatment facilities and supportive housing. Funding is made available to counties via grants administered by the state. In San Mateo County, permanent supportive housing is developed in partnership with our local Department of Housing to ensure maximization of funding.
- SB 326 – BHSA forms the MHSA funding allocations and has been a catalyst for transformation across behavioral health systems of care. Prop. 1 requires specific changes across various services, visit the “Prop. 1 Impact to Services” tab below to learn more about our local approach.
Key priorities of BHSA:
- A focus on the most vulnerable individuals living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
- Increasing access to permanent supportive housing and residential treatment settings.
- Prioritizing substance use and mental health integration.
- Creating transparency in fiscal expenditures and client outcomes across the behavioral health continuum of care.
Learn more here from the state Department of Health Care Services.
BHSA Funding Overview
Counties are now required to consolidate all behavioral health funding streams into a single, transparent plan that reflects both state priorities and local community needs. BHSA funding, primarily generated through California’s millionaire’s tax (formerly known as MHSA), is strategically allocated to maximize impact and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most. View the changes in funding allocation.
BHSA Funding Allocations
- 35% Full-Service Partnership (FSP): FSP programs provide individualized, team-based care to individuals living with significant behavioral health needs through a “whatever it takes” approach. Participants benefit from a community-based, whole-person approach that is trauma-informed, recovery-focused, age-appropriate, and delivered in partnership with families or an individual’s natural supports.
- 35% Behavioral Health Services and Supports (BHSS): BHSS funding can be used towards Children’s, Adult, and Older Adult Systems of Care; Outreach and Engagement; Workforce Education and Training; Capital Facilities and Technological Needs; Early Intervention Programs; and Innovative Behavioral Health Pilots and Projects.
- 30% Housing Interventions: Counties can develop an ongoing behavioral health program to increase permanent supportive housing for people meeting BHSA eligibility who are chronically homeless, experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness.
Prop. 1 Impacts to Services
To proactively adapt to the evolving landscape introduced by Prop. 1, BHRS is conducting a comprehensive review of the impacts for each of these areas listed below. BHRS is developing detailed implementation plans that outline key milestones and activities, that will be shared in the near future. In the meantime, learn a bit about the impacts here: slide deck.
- Full-Service Partnerships
- Housing Intervention
- Peer-based Services
- Prevention & Early Intervention
- Substance Use and Mental Health Integration
- Fiscal Strategies
- Outcome Reporting
- Workforce Development & Evidence-based Practices