DATE:
June 9, 2026
19
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT THREE-YEAR INTEGRATED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-2029; ADOPT RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE INTEGRATED PLAN; AUTHORIZE THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR'S SUBMISSION OF THE INTEGRATED PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In March 2024, California voters passed Proposition 1, which includes the transition from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), and a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond to support Californians living with the most significant mental health and substance use disorder needs. Counties across the state have been leading extensive planning and readiness efforts to prepare for implementation on July 1, 2026.
The transition from MHSA to BHSA is designed to align local systems with the statewide Behavioral Health Transformation initiative, centered on improving accountability, transparency, and clinical outcomes through a more structured funding framework. This realignment prioritizes individuals with the most significant behavioral health needs and expands the scope of care to include standalone substance use disorder treatment and robust housing interventions, specifically addressing persistent disparities among priority populations such as those experiencing homelessness or justice involvement. The transition also broadens the scope of engagement, and shifts Prevention funding to the State Department of Public Health to support more population-based efforts.
BHSA requires all counties to submit a three-year Integrated Plan (Integrated Plan) to serve as a three-year prospective expenditure plan describing how county behavioral health departments will spend all sources of behavioral health funding to meet statewide and local outcome measures, reduce disparities, and address t...
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