Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
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The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), Prop. 63, was passed by California voters in 2004. It has provided a dedicated source of funding for transforming County Behavioral Health programs serving children, transition-age youth, adults, older adults living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders and their families.
Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Goes Live July 1, 2026!
Prop. 1 – BHSA was approved by voters this past March 2024 and includes new requirements for MHSA funding allocations and County Behavioral Health programs. As we begin planning for the transition to BHSA, we are excited to also celebrate and share with you a look back at the transformational impact MHSA has had in San Mateo County over the past 15 years, view the MHSA Impact Report here.
- BHSA Transition Flyer
- BHSA local impact presentation and recording
- California Health & Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Reform: www.chhs.ca.gov/behavioral-health-reform/
We are thrilled to have you as a visitor, and hope you will want to become involved in MHSA planning!
Announcements – Latest News
MHSA Steering Committee Meeting
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. The next meeting, details below, will be focused on MHSA updates and Innovation project planning.
Thursday, September 5, 2024 / 3-4:30pm (Hybrid Meeting)
Location: San Mateo Public Library
Laurel Room 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224214146
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 892 2421 4146
- Flyer, Agenda, Slide Deck
- MHSA Innovation Project Briefs: 1)Peer Support for Peer Workers; 2)Animal Care for Housing Stability and Wellness; 3)Coastside allcove (allcoveHMB); 4) PIVOT – Developing capacity for billing
MHSA Program Outcomes Workgroup
Workgroups are hosted twice a year to provide more in depth input and recommendations for prioritized topics. The next workgroup will focus on identifying direct treatment program outcomes to inform on the impact and support provision of quality MHSA-funded programs. See the flyer for workgroup objectives. If you are interested in participating, please complete the following survey by Friday 9/6/24:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHSAOutcomesWorkgroup.
- Participation is open to the public and will be limited to 10-12 participants.
- You must be able to commit to attending all three (3) workgroup meetings on October 10th, November 14th, and December 12th, 2-3:30pm.
My Journey, My MHSA!
Learn about the impact that MHSA funding had on individuals, families and the community of San Mateo County.
- MyMHSA.org
- MHSA Impact Report - 15 years of MHSA
- Infographic Poster
- Partner Toolkit
How to Get Involved and stay informed!
- Sign-up to receive MHSA emails from this website; link above
- Join one of many Standing Committees
- View the monthly Director’s Update provided to the commission
- Subscribe to the BHRS Blog
- For funding opportunities, sign up on the Request for Proposal website
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
About MHSA
- MHSA Info Sheet
- MHSA Components and Programs
- MHSA FY 2024-25 Budget / MHSA One-Time Spend Plan
- MHSA Fiscal & Planning Guidelines and Funding Principles
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 MHSA Three-Year Implementation Phase:
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of
each year
New BHSA Planning Phase Begins:
February 2025
New BHSA Three-Year Integrated Plan Due: June
30, 2026
MHSA Issue Resolution Process Policy
An Issue Resolution Process Policy has been adopted to resolve specific MHSA issues related to:
- The Community Program Planning (CPP) process
- Consistency between approved MHSA plans and program implementation
- 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.
- MHSA INN One-pager
- Summary of INN Project Implementation in San Mateo County
New Innovation Project Plans
The following four INN ideas launched August 1, 2023:
- Adult Residential In-home Support Element (ARISE) - full proposal / project brief
- Mobile Behavioral Health Services for Farmworkers - full proposal / project brief
- Music Therapy for Asian/Asian Americans – full proposal / project brief
- Recovery Connection Drop-In Center – full proposal / project brief
There are two additional active INN projects approved since 2020 linked below. The final reports for previous INN projects are available under the Evaluation Reports tab.
- PIONEERS - Pacific Islanders Organizing, Nurturing, and Empowering Everyone to Rise and Serve for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) youth
- Kapwa Kultural Center & Café – a social enterprise cafe and cultural hub for Filipino/a/x youth in northern San Mateo County
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,
2023 – June 30, 2026
Annual Updates Due: June 30th of
each year
Next Three-Year Planning Phase
Begins: September 2025
Next Three-Year MHSA Plan Due: June 30, 2026
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.
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.
-
MHSA Communications Workgroup (Fall 2023)
- Workgroup #1 – slides
- Workgroup #2 – focus group
- Workgroup #3 – recommendations, marketing campaign coming soon
-
MHSA 3-Year Plan Workgroup (Fall 2022)
- Workgroup #1 - slides, needs assessment review
- Workgroup #2 - slides, notes, needs survey results
- Workgroup #3 – slides, facilitator training
- Innovation (INN) Workgroup (Spring 2022)
-
Full Service Partnerships (FSP)
Workgroup (Fall 2021)
- FSP Workgroup final recommendations
- November 4th – slides, notes
- October 7th - slides + pre-meeting handout, notes
- September 2nd - slides + FSP client and FSP provider input
- Housing Initiative Taskforce (Spring 2021) – final recommendations and materials
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 Application, Membership Roster and Roles and Responsibilities
- New Member Orientation Packet
MHSA Steering Committee Meeting Materials for the planning and implementation of the current Three-Year Plan: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
- Materials for May 2, 2024; Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for February 8, 2024; Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for December 7, 2023; Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for September 7, 2023; Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for May 4, 2023 Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for February 2, 2023 Meeting Notes & Attendance
- Materials for December 8, 2022 Meeting Notes & Attendance
Evaluation Reports
Full Service Partnerships (FSP)
- FSP Outcomes: FY 2022-23, FY 2021-22, FY 2020-21, FY 2019-20
Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI)
- PEI 3-Year Reports: FY 2018-21, FY 2016-18
- Outreach Collaboratives: FY 2022-23, FY 2021-22, FY 2020-21, FY 2019-20
- Health Equity Initiatives: 10-Year Impact - Jan 2017
Innovation (INN)
- Kapwa Kultural Center and Café: Year 2, Year 1
- Help@Hand:
- The Pride Center: Final Report
- Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y): Final Report
- Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) in an Adult System of Care: Final Report
Workforce Education and Training (WET)
- WET 10-Year Impact & Sustainability Report – Feb 2018
Three-Year Plans, Annual Updates and Expenditure Reports
MHSA Three-Year Plan & Annual Update
- Annual Update FY 24/25 – presentation / executive summary / approved plan
- Three-Year Plan FY 23/24 to FY 25/26 & Annual Update FY 23/24 - presentation / executive summary / approved plan
- Annual Update FY 22/23 – presentation / executive summary / approved plan / approved amendment
- Annual Update FY 21/22 – presentation / approved plan
- Three-Year Plan FY 20/21 to FY 22/23 & Annual Update FY 20/21 – presentation / approved plan
- Annual Update FY 19/20 - presentation / approved plan
- Annual Update FY 18/19 - presentation / approved plan
- Three-Year Plan FY 17/18 to FY 19/20 (presentation) & Annual Update FY 17/18 (presentation) / approved plan
- Annual Update FY 16/17 - presentation/approved plan
- Annual Update FY 15/16 - presentation/approved plan
- Three-Year Plan FY 14/15 to FY 16/17 & Annual Update FY 14/15 - presentation/approved plan