DATE:
July 16, 2024
22
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE UPDATE ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CAPITAL FACILITY PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR PROPOSITION 1 INFRASTRUCTURE BOND FUNDING AND AUTHORIZE GRANT SUBMISSIONS, AND AUTHORIZE A FORMAL PROCESS TO ISSUE LETTERS OF SUPPORT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In California, counties are responsible for administering specialty mental health and substance use services for residents eligible for Medi-Cal. In this capacity within San Diego County, the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) serves as the specialty mental health plan for Medi-Cal eligible residents with serious mental illness, and the service delivery system for Medi-Cal eligible residents with substance use disorder care needs. To ensure access to quality care that meets the needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries in San Diego County, BHS is required to maintain a local network of behavioral health services and providers.
In March 2024, California voters passed Proposition 1 that includes the Behavioral Health Services Act (Senate Bill 326) and the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023 (Assembly Bill 531), which authorized $6.38 billion in a general obligation bond to expand behavioral health treatment, residential care settings, and housing to support people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Funds from the bond will be allocated to competitive grants for facilities that provide behavioral health treatment and residential settings, including for tribal entities; housing Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs; and others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs.
To inform the priorities for the Proposition 1 Infrastructure Bond funding, on April 9, 2024 (4), the Board directed the creation of a process for seeking and investing funding, informed by data, community advocates, and stak...
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