Mental Health Services Act

Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

What is BHSA?

The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) is California’s updated framework for funding and delivering behavioral health services. BHSA builds on the former Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and expands services to better address mental health, substance use disorder treatment, housing supports, and services for people experiencing behavioral health crises.

BHSA aims to improve access to care, strengthen community-based services, and support people in achieving stability and recovery in their communities.

What changes are coming under BHSA?

BHSA introduces several important updates, including:

● Greater integration of mental health and substance use disorder services

● Increased focus on housing and services that help people remain stable in the community

● Continued investment in Full Service Partnerships and community supports

● Expanded flexibility for counties to design programs that meet local needs

● Ongoing focus on reducing disparities and serving underserved populations

Programs may shift in how they are funded or structured, but the goal is to strengthen and expand services, not reduce access.

What is the BHSA Integrated Plan?

The BHSA Integrated Plan is the county’s three-year plan describing how BHSA funding will be used locally.

The plan outlines:

● Community needs and service priorities

● Programs and services to be funded

● Housing and supportive service strategies

● Workforce and system improvements

● How community input shaped funding decisions

The plan is developed through community engagement and released for public review before final submission to the state.

When does BHSA take effect?

BHSA implementation begins in 2026, with counties transitioning planning and funding structures from MHSA to BHSA over the coming fiscal years. Planning and community engagement activities are occurring now to prepare for this transition.

What stakeholder engagement activities have taken place?

Community engagement is a critical part of BHSA planning. The county has hosted a series of public BHSA Community Planning Meetings to share information and gather feedback.

Recordings from past meetings are available below.

● Introduction to BHSA: Zoom Recording (Passcode: ^Nj!F*65)

● FSP & Housing: Zoom Recording (Passcode: @kg.A#40)

● BHSS & SUD Services: Zoom Recording (Passcode: x36!JZ7H)

Input from the community is essential for the BHSA Integrated Plan 2026-2029.

Ways to get involved:

● Attend the Local Behavioral Health Board meetings

● Email comments or questions to the MHSA Coordinator, Crystal Yang at c.yang@co.del-norte.ca.us

● Share this information with others in the community

BHSA Community Survey Highlights:

Resources & Documents:

For more information regarding the Behavioral Health Services Act, visit these resources:

• Del Norte County BHSA Overview
• Del Norte County BHSA FAQ Sheet
• DHCS BHSA Webpage
• MHSA vs BHSA Funding
• BHSA Target Populations
• Proposition 1 Fact Sheet

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The Behavioral Health Services Act is a three year Community Services and Support Plan. Check out this link to view the various report cards and public documents.