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Behavioral Health Services Act

Overview

Prop. 1 – Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Transition

BHSA Transition TimelineProp. 1 – Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) was approved by voters in March 2024 to reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).  BHSA includes new service and funding requirements for county behavioral health systems. 

    To ensure a smooth transition to BHSA, BHRS is actively engaging in organizational change initiatives and collaborative efforts with clients, family members, staff and community partners. These efforts are designed to align the organization with the new BHSA requirements ahead of the July 1st, 2026 implementation deadline.

    Join us and provide input on the transition to BHSA!

      Community Program Planning (CPP)

      Over the next few months, there will be many opportunities for community members, clients and families to learn more about Prop. 1 and its impact to behavioral health services and to help inform the transition to BHSA. You can join the BHSA Transition Taskforce meetings, do a deep dive on how Prop. 1 is impacting behavioral health services, and/or provide input at community input sessions. Read below for more information.

      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

      Informational 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 

      FAQ’s (coming soon)