Mental Health Services Act

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  Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

  In March 2024, California voters approved Proposition 1, also known as the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This new law modernizes the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to better meet the needs of Californians by expanding access to housing and treatment for people living with serious mental health conditions and substance use disorder. Where MHSA focused mainly on mental health prevention, early intervention, and recovery. The BHSA now expands the focus to include behavioral health and substance use services. 

  As a result, Del Norte County DHHS, Behavioral Health Branch, is committed to a smooth transition from MHSA to BHSA while continuing to provide adequate services for our community. 

  Current services funded under MHSA include:

  • Service Center
  • Same Day Services
  • ARRCH (Adults Returning/Remaining in Community Homes) Team
  • PATH Mobile Crisis Unit
  • Workforce Development
  • Prevention & Early Intervention Programs: Coastal Connections Youth Center, Reach for Success, Common Sense, One Love, Mental Health First Aid, Community Outreach
  • Family Resource Center
  • Del Norte County Recreation Dept.

  What is the BHSA?

  The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) updates the way California funds and delivers behavioral health services. 

  • It shifts focus toward those with the most significant behavioral health needs, such as individuals and families experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders (SUD), serious mental health illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED)
  • It strengthens housing support, workforce, transparency, accountability, and integration across all behavioral health systems
  • It changes funding components to three (3) categories: Full Service Partnership (FSP), Housing Interventions, and Behavioral Health Services and Supports (BHSS)

  To find out more about California’s Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT), visit: this DHCS website.

  What’s changing?

  BHSA Funding

  The MHSA funding components will change under the BHSA. 

  

  
  

  30% Housing:

  • Interventions to include rental subsidies, operating subsidies, shared housing, family housing for eligible children and youth, and the non-federal share of certain transitional rent.
    • 50% of this amount is prioritized for housing interventions for the chronically homeless.
    • Up to 25% may be used for capital development

  35% Full Service Partnerships:

  • This includes comprehensive and intensive care for people at any age with the most complex needs (also known as the “whatever it takes” model)

  35% Behavioral Health Services and Supports (BHSS):

  • Includes early intervention; outreach and engagement; workforce education and training; capital facilities and technological needs; and innovative pilots and projects.
    • 51% of this amount must be used for interventions addressing the early signs of mental illness or SUDs.
    • 51% of early intervention services and supports must be for people 25 years of age and younger.

  The Behavioral Health Branch is currently developing its BHSA Integrated Plan to ensure a smooth transition from MHSA to BHSA.

  Our goals include:

  • Aligning current MHSA funded services with BHSA requirements
  • Engaging the community and stakeholders in planning and implementation

  Community Involvement

  Input from the community is essential as the Behavioral Health Branch develops the BHSA Integrated Plan for 2026-2029. The BHSA emphasizes community engagement to ensure services reflect local needs and priorities. 

  Ways to get involved:

  • Share your experience and suggestions by filling out this 5-10 minute survey by scanning the QR code or clicking the link: https://tinyurl.com/dnbhb-survey 
    
    
    
  • Attend community planning meetings when they are announced (these will be coming in the near future and information will be posted on this page)
  • 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

  Upcoming Events

  BHSA Community Planning Meetings

  

  If you’d like to attend any or all of these meetings, please complete the RSVP form.

  1.   Friday, December 12, 2025 from 10am to 12pm (Virtual only)   RSVP Form
  

  • Topic: Introduction to BHSA – an overview of BHSA and key changes.  This session will help to set the foundation for the next two meetings. 
  • Materials: coming soon

  
  2.   Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 9am to 11am (in-person & virtual)  RSVP Form
  

  • In-person location: 455 K St., Crescent City (in the Conference Room) 
  • Topic: Full-Service Partnership & Housing Interventions – a deeper dive into BHSA requirements for FSP and Housing.
  • Materials: coming soon

  
  3.   Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 2pm to 4pm (in-person & virtual)   RSVP Form
  

  • In-person location: 455 K St., Crescent City (in the Conference Room)
  • Topic: Behavioral Health Services & Supports and Substance Use Disorder Services—a deeper dive into programs and services at the Behavioral Health Branch and the addition of SUD services into BHSA.
  • Materials: coming soon

Resources & Documents

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

• DHCS BHSA Webpage
• MHSA vs BHSA Funding
• BHSA Target Populations
• Proposition 1 Fact Sheet

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The Mental 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.