Skip to main content Skip to site navigation

San Mateo County Health

Helping everyone in San Mateo County live longer & better lives.
Menu
Search

Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63)

Overview

​Sign up to receive e-mail updates for this page

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), Proposition 63 in 2004, provides increased funding, personnel and other resources to support County behavioral health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition-age youth, adults, older adults and families. MHSA addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention and direct service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements that will effectively support this system.

We are thrilled to have you as a visitor, and hope you will want to become involved in MHSA planning!

Announcements – Latest News

MHSA Three-Year Plan Now Available!

The MHSA Three-Year Plan, FY 2023-26 & Annual Update FY 2023-24 is now available for your review and input. The Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) will vote to open a 30-Day Public Comment period on June 7, 2023.  Visit the BHC Meetings site for the meeting details.

How to Give Public Comment:

  • Quick Tips – How to Give Public Comment at a public meeting
  • Online Form 
  • Email to mhsa@smcgov.org / optional Form
  • Leave a phone message at (650) 573-2889

Governor’s Proposal to Modernize Behavioral Health Systems

Governor Newsom’s new proposal re-envisions services for individuals with severe mental health and substance use disorders.  Key elements of the proposal include:

  1. Expanding community-based residential settings for individuals living with severe mental health and substance use challenges
  2. Focusing MHSA funds on housing, workforce and treating serious mental health and substance use disorders; and
  3.  Accountability measures to maximize federal funding first and focus on statewide outcomes.

Learn more about the Governor’s proposal here: www.chhs.ca.gov/behavioral-health-reform/

How to Get Involved – and stay informed!

About MHSA

MHSA planning, implementation and updates happen on a Fiscal Year (FY) calendar July 1 – June 30. Counties are required to submit Annual Updates and Three-Year Plans that are developed in collaboration with clients, family members of clients, community members and other stakeholders; this process is known as a Community Program Planning (CPP).   

Current Three-Year Implementation Phase: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of each year
Next Three-Year Planning Phase Begins: September 2022
Next Three-Year MHSA Plan Due: June 30, 2023

MHSA Issue Resolution Process Policy

An Issue Resolution Process Policy has been adopted to resolve specific MHSA issues related to: 

  1. The Community Program Planning (CPP) process
  2. Consistency between approved MHSA plans and program implementation
  3. The provision of MHSA-funded programs and services

In San Mateo County, the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) manages service/treatment grievances for BHRS and therefore MHSA issues will be routed through the formal OCFA Grievance process. The MHSA Issue Resolution Process policy is focused on grievances related to the planning and implementation of MHSA specifically.

MHSA Components

Community Services & Supports (CSS)

CSS activities focus on providing direct services and treatment to people of all ages living with serious mental illness. At least 51% of CSS dollars have to be spent on full service partnerships, which provide 24/7 wraparound services for individuals living with serious mental health challenges.

Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)

PEI activities target individuals of all ages prior to the onset of mental illness, with the exception of programs focusing on early onset of psychotic disorders. At least 51% of PEI dollars have to be spent on programs for children and youth ages 0-25.

Innovation (INN)

The MHSA INN component allows counties to apply for funds for innovative projects that are implemented for 3-5 years and evaluated to develop new best practices in behavioral health. Final reports for previous projects are available under the Evaluation tab above.

New Innovation Project Plans

The following four INN ideas have all been approved and scheduled to launch July 1, 2023.  

  1. Adult Residential In-home Support Element (ARISE) - full proposal / project brief 
  2. Mobile Behavioral Health Services for Farmworkers - full proposal /  project brief
  3. Music Therapy for Asian/Asian Americans – full proposal / project brief
  4. Recovery Connection Drop-In Center – full proposal / project brief 

There are two active INN projects approved since 2020.  The full project proposals are linked below.

Workforce Education & Training (WET)

WET programming includes training, education, programs and policies to assist in the engagement and selection of a diverse workforce that includes consumers, families, and community members and schools. Visit the BHRS WET website to learn more about the programs and services.

MHSA WET received one-time funding from MHSA through June 2018 for San Mateo County.  An independent contractor was hired to develop a 10-year impact report and a sustainability plan for WET.

Housing

The MHSA Housing Program was established to create permanent supportive housing for individuals living with serious mental health challenges who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Since 2006, the funding has led to 72 supportive housing units developed in San Mateo County. Visit our MHSA Housing page for more information and the most recent MHSA Housing Initiative.

Capital Facilities & Technology Needs (CFTN)

The CFTN component funded e-Clinical Care, an integrated business and clinical information system (electronic health record) as well as ongoing technical support. Currently, CFTN funds devices with data plans for clients to engage in telehealth and recovery services online. 

Community Program Planning

Current Three-Year Implementation Phase: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of each year
Next Three-Year Planning Phase Begins: September 2022
Next Three-Year MHSA Plan Due: June 30, 2023

A Community Program Planning (CPP) process involves clients of behavioral health services, families of clients and other community stakeholders in planning, implementation and evaluation activities of MHSA funded programs.

MHSA Three-Year Plan

Over 400 clients, families, community members, partner agencies and staff participated in the development of the MHSA Three-Year Plan.  Input was gathered at 31 Community Input Sessions throughout the county, through surveys, and as formal public comment during a required 30-Day Public Comment and Public Hearing.  The FY 2023-26 MHSA Three-Year Plan is currently underway. In the meantime, take a look at the materials that have been shared to-date:

MHSA Workgroups

The MHSA Steering Committee hosts two workgroups per year.  Workgroup members provide input in planning new services and recommendations for improvements on prioritized topics.  

Steering Committee

MHSA Steering Committee meetings are open to the public to provide input, make recommendations and stay up-to-date on new MHSA developments and ongoing programming.  Meetings  are scheduled on the first Thursday at 3pm in February, May, September and December.  One month prior to each meeting, details for each meeting will be posted under the “Announcement” tab above.  

MHSA Steering Committee Meeting Materials for the current Three-Year Plan: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023

Evaluation Reports

Full Service Partnerships (FSP)

Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)

Innovation (INN)

Workforce Education and Training (WET)

Three-Year Plans, Annual Updates and Expenditure Reports

MHSA Three-Year Plan & Annual Update

Annual Revenue and Expenditure Reports (ARER)