Behavioral Health Leaders Applaud Governor Newsom’s Proposed Budget
A poignant and impressive lean into California’s Behavioral Health system
Sacramento – Just a few short days after his inauguration, Governor Newsom has proposed a strategic, yet daring budget with significant investments into health, human services, and housing while maintaining fiscal prudence.
A real standout in Governor Newsom’s budget was the push for more investments across the board for mental health treatment. While the Governor recognizes a slowing economy, Newsom’s budget does not turn its back on the communities impacted by untreated mental illness. This proposed budget places an intense spotlight on mental health while adding $1.8 billion toward the current $13.5 billion Rainy Day Reserves.
Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies (CBHA) said, “This bold and progressive budget shows Governor Newsom’s commitment toward furthering care for those living with mental health issues. His understanding of the need for further investment into the
California system shows true dedication to the issue, and CBHA is excited to see the future of behavioral health under Governor Newsom’s leadership.”
Some key highlights are as follows:
- Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS). Proposes $695 million for the implementation of the DMC-ODS program in FY 2019-20. This is a growth of about $100 million from FY 2018-19.
- Managed Care Behavioral Health Integration. Invests $360 million to encourage Medi-Cal managed care providers to meet goals in critical areas such as chronic disease management and behavioral health integration.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening. Includes $45 million for Adverse Childhood Experiences screenings for children and adults in Medi-Cal, beginning no sooner than January 1, 2020. Requires the use of an existing screening tool for adults and the development of a new screening tool for children.
- Moving Division of Juvenile Justice. The Governor’s Budget proposes to move youth correctional facilities from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to a new department under the Health and Human Services Agency with a focus on rehabilitative programming.
- Law Enforcement Training. The Budget proposes $20 million for local law enforcement for training on the use of force de-escalation, and ways to engage individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
- No Place Like Home (NPLH) Allocations. In 2018, voters approved Proposition 2, enacting NPLH again. The Governor’s budget proposes accelerating the granting of NPLH awards, which will generate $2 billion in new funding to help get people who are living homeless with serious mental illness off the streets and into long-term housing and recovery.
“Governor Newsom shows a keen awareness of the issues that face many in our community,” said Tom Renfree, Interim Executive Director of CBHDA. “We applaud Newsom for his strong support of behavioral health with this proposed budget, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association will remain active in advocating on behalf of county mental health and substance use disorder services on budget issues. CBHDA looks forward to creating a strong relationship with our new Governor while working to continue to improve our Behavioral Health system.”
A more detailed summary of Governor Newsom’s proposed budget can be found
here
.
The County Behavioral Health Directors Association is a statewide non-profit association that represents all 58 county behavioral health directors and 2 city mental health programs (Berkeley and Tri-City) which is dedicated to advocating for public policy and services on behalf of people who are living with substance use disorders and mental illness.
The California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies (CBHA) represents nonprofit behavioral health agencies in California and promotes comprehensive, responsive, and integrated service systems by enhancing the ability of nonprofit member agencies to provide behavioral health services that empower the people served to lead full and productive lives.
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