Behavioral Health Transformation

Font Size: + -

Print

In March 2024, California voters pass Proposition 1, known as Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT). This initiative comprises a two-bill package: the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) (Senate Bill 326) and the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2024 (BHIBA) (Assembly Bill 531).

The BHT initiative aims to enhance accountability and transparency while significantly expanding the capacity of behavioral healthcare facilities. It builds on several major behavioral health initiatives, including the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organization Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Demonstration proposal, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis, the expansion of the 988 crisis hotline, and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP).

BHT redefines how county behavioral health departments can use BHSA funding, reallocating a significant portion toward housing subsidies. It also introduces grant programs designed to enhance the capacity for treatment and housing. Below, you'll find more information about the key components of this significant new initiative.

Table 1 - Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) - Program Components

Full Service Partnership	Mental health, supportive services and substance use disorder treatment services Medication assisted treatment (MAT) Community defined evidence practices (CDEP) Assertive community treatment/forensic assertive community treatment, support employment, and high fidelity wrap around are required Outpatient behavioral health services, either clinic or field based necessary for ongoing evaluation and stabilization of an enrolled individual. Ongoing engagement services necessary to maintain enrolled individuals in their treatment plan inclusive of clinical and non-clinical services including services to support maintaining housing.
Housing	Children and families, youth, adults, and older adults living with serious mental illness/diagnosis and or substance use disorder or experiencing or at risk of homelessness 50% is prioritized for housing interventions for the chronically homeless and BH challenges. Includes rental subsidies, operating subsidies, shared and family housing, capital and the non-federal share for certain transitional rent.
Behavioral Health Services and Support	Early intervention, outreach and engagement, workforce education and training, capital facilities, technological needs and innovative pilots and projects. 51% must be used for early intervention services to assist in early signs of mental illness or substance misuse. 51% of early intervention services and supports must be fore people 25 years and younger.

Table 2 - Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) - Additional Online References

Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act (AB 531)	BHSA Senate Bill 326 (SB 326)	MHSA Information
Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure	The Behavioral Health Services Act - Chapter 790	Prop 63/ The Mental Health Services Act
AB-531 BH Infrastructure Act of 2023		DHCS - MHSA Components
DHCS Proposition 1 Bond Act of 2024

Homekey+: A Place to Live and Thrive

Housing stability is vital to mental health wellness. With safe, affordable housing and supportive services to address behavioral health challenges, California's most vulnerable residents will have the foundation they need to thrive. With $2.2 billion in funding allocated from the passage of Proposition 1, The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will expand on the success of its Homekey+ Program to help support the development of permanent supportive housing for veterans and individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness with mental health or substance use challenges.

For more information on the Homekey+ Program, including eligible applicants and uses for funding, please see the new program fact sheet.

Homeky+ Program Overview

The Homekey+ Overview provides stakeholders with a framework of anticipated program requirements and invites stakeholder comments via targeted questions to help inform the development of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) release.

Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Information

The California Department of Health Care (DHCS) is pleased to announce the release of its Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready Grant Request for Applications (RFA). Through this Request for Application (RFA), DHCS will award up to $3.3 billion statewide.

Moreover, the application portal is now open for prospective applicants who have completed a pre-application consultation (PAC). Please see Form 1: Application Questions Guide for a preview of the application questions. (Please note: Form 1 is intended to be a guide; final questions in the application portal may differ slightly.) The deadline for applications is December 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT).

In addition, all applicants are required to complete a pre-application consultation (PAC) before applying. The PAC will allow the prospective applicant to describe their proposed project, discuss their vision for using grant funds, and ask general questions about how to complete a quality application. Please submit the PAC request form before October 15, 2024, to schedule a required PAC. Pre-application consultations will be scheduled between August 9 and November 14, 2024.

For More Information

For questions regarding the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Grants, Homekey+, or to request a Letter of Support, please contact: BHTransformation@KernBHRS.org.

For general questions relating to Proposition 1, please contact: MHSATeam@KernBHRS.org.